From Matthew Wright,
Your Guide to Auto Repair.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

The tire plug method or repairing tires is a mysterious thing. The first time you see one installed brings feelings of amazement and doubt. You're amazed that it held air but doubt it will last more than a day or two. The fact is that a proper tire repair will last forever. Why should you have to replace one of your tires with perfectly good tread just because a nail danced its way into your life?

For about $5 and 5 minutes of your life, you can give a dead tire a new lease on life by using a common tire plug. It's just too easy to pass up.

Never attempt to plug a sidewall! Your tire's sidewall is under different strains and pressures than the part that makes contact with the road. Plugging a sidewall can result in a blowout, so don't try it.

*Note: The NHTSA has stated that a plug is not a proper permanent tire repair.