Cars have evolved greatly over the years. New advancements have seen better and improved components able to withstand extreme weather conditions and different turf types. Car tyres have also come a long way with a variety of custom-made types best suited to the customer’s needs.
However, even with all the advancements, flat tyres still remain one of the most common issues. Luckily, you can learn how to plug a leaky tyre without paying a visit to the mechanic and saving some cash upfront.
Flat Tyres in Cars
A rogue nail, a sharp object or a stone can all lead to a flat tyre. Modern vehicles are built differently than their predecessors. The introduction of electric cars called for further improvements because of the excessive weight of the vehicles.
The evolution of cars has also seen four-wheelers transition from traditional means of transportation to all-terrain vehicles. Different terrains expose the vehicle to various turfs and the components are not immune to damage. Flat tyres still remain one of the most common issues with cars. Although there are different types of tyres such as electric car tyres etc, the risk still remains.
Fortunately, flat tyres can be fixed depending on the point of impact and the severity of the damage. You can easily learn how to plug a leaky tyre and save time and money.
How to Plug a Leaky Tyre
If you are wondering how to plug a leaky tyre, it is rather easy to do. It is important to know that a tyre leak repair can only be carried out on tubeless tyres. Mostly all modern vehicles come with tubeless tyres that can be repaired with the plugging method.
Another important consideration is the location of the leak. If the leak is on the tread area, you can plug it. However, if the leak is where the sidewall meets the trim, you should take your car to a mechanic. Such leaks require the tyre to be dismounted and sealing liquid is then required on the puncture area. The wheel is then remounted. The process requires proper machinery and is best carried out by professionals. Plugging a puncture in the tread yourself may result in a tyre blowout.
TOOLS REQUIRED TO FIX A LEAKY TYRE
In order to plug a leaky tyre, you require a certain set of tools. The car tyre changing tools can easily be purchased from any of the authorised shops. The following tools are essential for a tyre leak repair:
- Pilers
- Car jack
- Spray bottle
- Tyre plugging kit
- Wire cutter
In addition to these tools, you should also have the following materials:
- Soap and water solution
- Tyre plug strips
- Paper towels
- Tyre seating cement
Let’s now go through a step-by-step guide on how to plug a leaky tyre.
STEP 1 – REMOVE THE FLAT TYRE
The first step to plugging a flat tyre is to remove it. This is done to detect the puncture. You can pump up air in an attached tyre as well but removing it makes the process easier. Additionally, you should ensure your vehicle is parked away from the road and at a safe spot.
STEP 2 – FIND THE PUNCTURE
Once the tyre is removed, check the tread and sidewall thoroughly for a nail, screw or any other object that may have caused the leak. Carefully, rotate the tyre and keep a close eye on any unfamiliar object pierced into the tread.
Once the object is located, don’t remove it just yet. If you are not able to locate anything causing the leak, you can rub your fingers over the tread to detect the leak. Additionally, you can spray the mixture of soap and water over the flat tyre and the bubbles can help indicate the puncture.
STEP 3 – MARK THE SPOT
Another important step in how to plug a leaky tyre is to mark the leakage spot. When you have detected the object causing the leak, stick a piece of tape to mark the spot. This helps relocate the leakage point once you have removed the nail or screw.
STEP 4 – REMOVE THE OBJECT CAUSING THE LEAK
Use pliers to remove the nail, screw or whatever has caused the leak. Nails can easily be plucked out with pliers while you can use the screwdriver for a screw. Place the tyre on a flat surface and hold it firmly. This prevents the tyre from slipping from your hands and causing any inconvenience.
STEP 5 – REAM OUT THE HOLE
Your toolkit has a T-handle tool which helps clean and rough out the hole for plugging. Ram the tool inside the hole and rough up the surface while rotating and working it up and down the hole several times. Continue the process until the leakage spot is round and uniform.
STEP 6 – THREAD THE PLUGGING TOOL
Another important step in learning how to plug a leaky tyre is threading the plug tool. Your toolkit will also have some sticky tar worms which will come in use in this step. Pick one strip, peel it off and place it on the pointy end of the plug insertion tool.
You might need to pinch the strip to place it on the tool. Additionally, make sure the strip is placed perfectly at the centre of the tool.
STEP 7 – PLUG THE STRIP IN THE HOLE
Once all the above steps are carried out, stick the sharp end of the plug insertion tool into the hole. Apply pressure to make sure the strip is inserted into the punctured spot. Keep pressing the tool until there’s about half an inch of the plug sticking out.
Place the insertion tool in a straight position and pull it out. The plug should remain inside the tyre as the pointy end makes it easier to remove the tool from the plug. Use the wire cutter to cut the additional wire and make the surface even.
Lastly, inflate tyres with proper pressure. Keep a check on the pressure as there are several disadvantages of over-inflating the tyres. If you still feel the tyres aren’t balanced, it is advised to take your vehicle to the mechanic.
These were all the steps to learn how to plug a leaky tire. A flat tyre is among the most common car issues which can cause inconvenience during the journey. With these steps, you can easily figure out how to plug tyre leaks and save a visit to the mechanic. However, if the issue is a big one and you are not confident about handling it then take your car to the nearest service centre.
Moreover, you can tackle the flat tyre issue by opting for airless tyres as they are puncture-proof. If your vehicle requires frequent visits to the mechanic because of tyre problems, it is a viable option to go for new tyres.
Additionally, you can also opt for pre-used vehicles with modern tyres capable of handling different terrains. Browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE and select from a wide variety of vehicles with different types of advanced tyres.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for car repair tips and more.
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