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Repairing a Flat Tire⚓︎

Summary⚓︎

One of the most significant inconveniences while driving is getting a flat tire. While it's ideal to always carry a spare with you, it's not always possible. You have two choices when you get a flat tire - either call a tow truck or fix the tire yourself.

With only a few tools and some know-how, fixing a tire is relatively straightforward.

Attention

As with all of the articles in this series, this is by no means a comprehensive guide. It should be considered a practical approach.

Finding the Leak⚓︎

Inflate the Tire⚓︎

Before attempting to find the leak, the tire must be properly pressurized. Inflate the tire with air until it reaches the appropriate pressure. 1

Visually Inspect the Tire⚓︎

Before moving on to anything time-consuming, take a moment to look at the tire. If there are any obvious holes, cuts, or objects protruding from the tire, you've found the leak.

Listen for a Hissing Sound⚓︎

Even if you can't find the problem right away, you might be able to hear it. A hissing sound is a clear sign that air is leaking from the tire.

Mix Soap and Water⚓︎

If you followed the steps above and couldn't find the leak, the following can help quickly locate the leak.

Mix some soap and water in a container, then take the soapy mixture and run it over the tire. Look around for any bubbling that may occur in one or more locations. Once you see this, you've found the leak.

Fix the Leak with Tire Puncture Sealants⚓︎

Read the Directions⚓︎

Various manufacturers have slightly different steps and use different amounts of sealant. Make sure you read the directions so you know how to use the sealant you have appropriately.

Although the directions are slightly different, some steps are generally the same:

Using Sealant
  • Be aware that newer tire models have tire pressure monitoring systems. Using tire puncture sealants can sometimes damage these systems.
  • Carefully pull out the object from the tire.
  • Turn the wheel until the valve is at the top of the wheel.
  • Unscrew the valve cap.
  • Attach the nozzle of the product to the valve stem. Once it's on securely, press the button to release the contents.
  • Drive the car to rotate the tire. Driving the car allows the sealant to be distributed evenly inside the tire.
  • Replace the tire. Tire sealants are only going for so long - either three days or 100 miles, whichever comes first.

Use a Tire Plug Kit⚓︎

Loosen the Lug Nuts⚓︎

Use a lug wrench (tire iron) or impact wrench to loosen the lug nuts to get the tire off. It's important to remember to loosen, or break, the lug nuts before you jack up the vehicle. This way, the car's weight is still on the wheels and prevents them from spinning while you turn the lugs.

Jack up the Car⚓︎

Once the lugs are loose, a jack will need to lift the car so you can remove the wheels. If possible, remove the wheels on concrete or some other hard surface.

Things to Remember

  • Your service manual will recommend jacking points.
  • The most common way to elevate your car is with a floor jack.
  • Use jack stands to stabilize the car.
  • If you have access to a hydraulic lift, use it.

Remove the Lug Nuts and Wheel From the Hub⚓︎

By now, the lugs should be loose enough to remove by hand. If not, use the lug wrench or impact wrench to finish loosening them. Once they're off, pull the wheel off the wheelbase.

Repairing the Tire⚓︎

The following steps should be taken to repair a tire:

Steps to Repair

Mark the location with chalk or a market before removing the object. Use a pair of pliers, but be careful when removing the object as it may be sharp and difficult to remove.

  • Clean the hole with a sharp tool such as a rasp or screwdriver. Do this by pushing it in and out of the hole quickly. Using these tools also roughens the area so that the fix will hold.
  • Use the center of the insertion tool to push the plug down into the hole. Pushing the plug down can sometimes be difficult and requires squeezing down one end to fit through the first hole.

The hole should have roughly ½" of plug protruding from the tire. If your kit comes with an adhesive, such as rubber cement or glue, apply it to the plug before inserting it. The adhesive will lubricate the plug, making it easier to push in. The adhesive will also promote a better seal.

  • Cutaway any excess plug material from the tire surface.
  • Pump air into the tire. Be sure to use a tire gauge to make sure you pump the correct amount of air pressure into the tire.
  • Apply soap mixture onto the plug. The mixture helps to make sure the seal is holding.
  • Reinstall the wheel back onto the wheelbase. Put the lug nuts back on to hold the wheel in place.

Conclusion⚓︎

While a plug can provide more stability than tire sealants, it's not a forever solution. You replace the tire within the next 20,000 miles.

References⚓︎

  1. The measurement for tire pressure is on the tire's sidewall in Pounds per Square Inch (PSI). This measurement is also in the car's service manual. ↩