Run-flat tires are a relatively new technology, and they’re rare outside of luxury and performance vehicles. But they’ve gained a lot of traction recently due to their ability to help prevent dangerous punctures, which can be very dangerous in highway driving situations.
Table of Contents
Can you plug a run flat tire [Answered]
This is a great question. The answer, unfortunately, is not as simple as I’d like it to be.
The first thing you need to know is that all run-flat tires are NOT created equal. (Isn’t that always the case?) Some can’t be plugged at all, while others can be patched and driven again, but only for a limited distance.
So before we get into the “how,” let’s look at the differences between the types of run-flat tires out there:
1) Self Sealers – These tires have a rubberized material that expands to fill in any holes it encounters. This type of tire doesn’t require repair, but generally has a shorter driving range than other types.
2) Non-Self Sealers – These tires don’t have the rubberized sealant and can only be repaired with a plug. They have a greater driving range than self sealers, although still not as much as normal tires.
3) Tires With Permanent Plugs – These tires come with plugs already installed at the factory. You can’t drive over these plugs since they’re made of hard plastic, so if you need to repair this type of tire you’ll need to replace it entirely.
Run-flat tires are designed to allow you to continue driving after a flat tire, but they do have limits. Run-flat tires that can be plugged and fixed on the road are more common in Europe than in the United States, but many U.S. automakers offer them as optional equipment on some models.
If your car has a run-flat tire, check the owner’s manual for instructions on how to plug and repair it — different carmakers use different methods.
How long will a plug last in a run-flat tire?
One of the ways that some manufacturers distinguish their run-flats from their competitors is by advertising how long the tire can be plugged for.
The average time is between 30 and 50 miles, though this number varies depending on several factors, including how fast you’re driving and how heavily you’re loading the vehicle.
The concept behind run-flat tires is that they can be driven up to a certain speed (usually 50 miles per hour) or distance (usually 50 miles) after a flat tire.
They are typically used on trucks, SUVs, and high-end luxury cars and can cost as much as $500 per tire. Most run-flat tires are made of reinforced rubber with a stiffer sidewall to support the vehicle’s weight.
A small number of run-flat tires are made of solid foam filled with nitrogen.
There’s another important factor involved in determining how long your plug will last: the age of your tire. Tires naturally become less effective in providing puncture protection as they age (much like other rubber products).
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know how old your run-flat is without checking the tire itself or contacting its manufacturer.
How do you fix a puncture on a run-flat tire?
Plugging a run-flat is not easy. It requires specialized equipment, and it’s not guaranteed to work. Therefore, it’s best to have the tire replaced as soon as possible. If that’s not possible, you can try plugging the leak.
A puncture in a run-flat tire is caused by an object such as a nail or screw that pierces the sidewall of the tire.
When working on a run-flat tire, wear protective gloves to prevent injury from sharp objects and be careful not to cut yourself on debris that might be on or in the tire.
First, turn on your hazard lights and set out warning triangles — you don’t want another driver hitting you from behind or running over the repair tools.
Next, find the puncture and remove as much of the nail or other object as possible without damaging the sidewall of the tire.
Then, remove any foreign objects like dirt or glass particles from inside of your tire using a long brush. This will help prevent damage to your new plug. Insert the plug into the puncture hole and use an air compressor to inflate it.
Three methods for plugging run-flat tires are available: electric plugger, inflation-assisted plugging, and liquid plugging. Electric pluggers use an electrically heated rod to melt a sealant into the puncture hole before inserting a plug.
Inflation-assisted plugging uses an air pump to inflate the tire after the sealant has hardened, holding the sealant in place while it cures.
Liquid plugging uses a special rubber cement with a high level of latex in it that soaks into holes up to 1/2 inch deep and supports plugs up to 3/8 inch in diameter until they set up hard like vulcanized rubber.
Run flat tire benefits
The main benefit of run-flat tires is reduced downtime after an accident due to the ability to drive up to 50 miles (80 km). If a vehicle becomes disabled due to a flat tire, drivers must stop and replace it with another one before driving again.
Most run-flat tires are designed so that they can be plugged with a special tool and driven up to 80 km (50 mi), depending on the weight of the car, load capacity, and speed limits.
Run-flat tires are intended to prevent accidents caused by a tire blowout on a vehicle with a low mileage or that is not being driven at high speeds. They are not intended for long distances or high speeds.
For example, they will not work if you travel more than 50 miles (80 km) at highway speeds or 30 miles (48 km) at city speeds while using them.
History
Run-flat tires began to be developed in the 1960s and were first introduced in passenger cars in the late 1990s, in response to a growing number of motor vehicle accidents.
In the past 20 years, their use has been expanded to many other types of vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, vans and motorcycles. Run-flat tires can be identified by a special symbol on the tire sidewall.
Conclusion
Run Flat tires are becoming more widely used. These tires have an extra internal safety feature in them to allow the driver to continue on to their destination.
However, if you do get a puncture or leak in your tire, you may be wondering how to fix it and how long it will last before needing replacement.
There are a few different ways to fix the flat on your tire. One way is to use a plug kit if one is available for your specific tire. If not, then you can take the tire into a shop that specializes in fixing tires.
In some cases, this may be covered by insurance. There are many different types of plugs available depending on the type of damage that was done to the tire.
Plug kits come with everything that is needed to address a flat from leaking air from a hole or getting a nail stuck in your tire.
