My fathers car just got a small puncture in the sidewall (in the middle). Is it ok to put a plug in a sidewalk of a tire? I cannot find any good info on this.
Thanks
Thanks
Can you fix a puncture in the sidewalk of a tire?
- Thread starter taztheman
- Start date
- Status
No, the sidewall flexes. I imagine it would be possible to hit a bump or something similar right in line with the plug and it could actually push the plug out. Even more critical, the sidewalls are pretty thin in comparison to the tread area. There's just no 'contact' area for the plug to grip.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Negative - no sidewalls …
Can’t even repair all of the tread area
Can’t even repair all of the tread area
No way, its junk. A very dangerous and possibly fatal repair.
It's well known that nobody will fix a sidewall puncture. With good reason, the sidewall is thin and flexes. Conventional repairs in this area are likely to fail.
However, in 3rd world countries, it's common to use an internal patch, generally hot vulcanized into place. But sometimes just a cold vulcanized patch (like a heavy duty tube patch) .
Done correctly, they do last, at least in 3rd world countries. But you must remember that they often drive 40mph max, not 85 like we do here.
A sidewall leak can be very rapid due to the thin nature of the sidewall. At high speeds, there is often not enough time to understand the problem and react properly. Across the median head on crashes are often caused by a front tire sidewall leak. Hence the requirement for tire pressure warning systems in all new vehicles. A left front tire with 15 PSI may still feel normal at highway speeds, and 5 seconds later, it's uncontrollable, as it pulls to the left, followed by an attempt to turn to the right. Due to no pressure, that rolls the tire, the driver turns harder without result, and the car veers into oncoming traffic.
However, in 3rd world countries, it's common to use an internal patch, generally hot vulcanized into place. But sometimes just a cold vulcanized patch (like a heavy duty tube patch) .
Done correctly, they do last, at least in 3rd world countries. But you must remember that they often drive 40mph max, not 85 like we do here.
A sidewall leak can be very rapid due to the thin nature of the sidewall. At high speeds, there is often not enough time to understand the problem and react properly. Across the median head on crashes are often caused by a front tire sidewall leak. Hence the requirement for tire pressure warning systems in all new vehicles. A left front tire with 15 PSI may still feel normal at highway speeds, and 5 seconds later, it's uncontrollable, as it pulls to the left, followed by an attempt to turn to the right. Due to no pressure, that rolls the tire, the driver turns harder without result, and the car veers into oncoming traffic.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2014
- Messages
- 1,187
Only when really desperate. I have done it in the middle of nowhere when I had a plug kit and a small air compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter. It saved me a long walk (no cell phone signal) and a tow truck. I replaced the tire when I got back to civilization. I do not honestly believe you will find anyplace that sells tires that will plug a sidewall. MAYBE you can find a place willing to vulcanize a patch on the inside of the tire...If the tire has more than 70% tread left; the only thing I would be willing to do with it (aside from recycling it) would be to patch it, mark it with a china marker, and use it for a spare on (in) my go to work car. I certainly wouldn't want my wife or kids to be riding on it, nor would I consider it roadworthy for any distance.
Edit: Trav, as usual, has given you sound advice. When I was desperate enough to use a plug in my above situation, I was about 12 miles from the nearest town on all gravel farm roads which would be traveled at breakneck speeds of UNDER 25 mph, and not very many encounters with other vehicles.
Edit: Trav, as usual, has given you sound advice. When I was desperate enough to use a plug in my above situation, I was about 12 miles from the nearest town on all gravel farm roads which would be traveled at breakneck speeds of UNDER 25 mph, and not very many encounters with other vehicles.
I was in the middle of NOWHERE and got a puncture just outside the "Puncture Repair Area" in the picture.
A garageman plugged me so I could get home and he said, "Don't tell anyone who did this".
I didn't and was SO HAPPY to get home AND get that tire replaced.
No matter how you lose a tire, it always wasteful. Killing yourself and others with an unwise repair is way worse.
NOTE: I got more flats with that one set of Dunlops (D-60 A2's-no longer made) than during my entire driving life TO DATE.
They were smooth rollers but I think they were "sticky" in a wrong way.
A garageman plugged me so I could get home and he said, "Don't tell anyone who did this".
I didn't and was SO HAPPY to get home AND get that tire replaced.
No matter how you lose a tire, it always wasteful. Killing yourself and others with an unwise repair is way worse.
NOTE: I got more flats with that one set of Dunlops (D-60 A2's-no longer made) than during my entire driving life TO DATE.
They were smooth rollers but I think they were "sticky" in a wrong way.
For safety I would buy a new tire.
Originally Posted By: Kira
I was in the middle of NOWHERE and got a puncture just outside the "Puncture Repair Area" in the picture.
A garageman plugged me so I could get home and he said, "Don't tell anyone who did this".
I didn't and was SO HAPPY to get home AND get that tire replaced.
No matter how you lose a tire, it always wasteful. Killing yourself and others with an unwise repair is way worse.
I would have utilized the spare, but that is "just me"
I've gotten more sidewall issues than regular flats; last one was covered by road hazard warranty
I was in the middle of NOWHERE and got a puncture just outside the "Puncture Repair Area" in the picture.
A garageman plugged me so I could get home and he said, "Don't tell anyone who did this".
I didn't and was SO HAPPY to get home AND get that tire replaced.
No matter how you lose a tire, it always wasteful. Killing yourself and others with an unwise repair is way worse.
I would have utilized the spare, but that is "just me"
I've gotten more sidewall issues than regular flats; last one was covered by road hazard warranty
Last edited:
I have had to patch sidewalls with sticky string to get back to civilization. one time i used 3 sticky strings. I always carry cold patch adhesive and coat the strings with it before inserting. I give them a few minutes to dry. And I drive at the lowest practical speed. I replace that tire asap. It is not a long term repair.
Rod
Rod
Originally Posted By: 4WD
Negative - no sidewalls …
Can’t even repair all of the tread area
Best response ever
Glad i dont live in 3rd world country as tires are cheap and not worth dying for
Negative - no sidewalls …
Can’t even repair all of the tread area
Best response ever
Glad i dont live in 3rd world country as tires are cheap and not worth dying for
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Only in the street of the tire, never in the outer sidewalks
Depends on what you are going to do with the tire ...
Run on the street, NO
Run off-road and get more cuts, YES. I know of Jeeper's with ten plugs in a sidewall. They don't drive on the highways that way ...
Run on the street, NO
Run off-road and get more cuts, YES. I know of Jeeper's with ten plugs in a sidewall. They don't drive on the highways that way ...
Originally Posted By: BrocLuno
Depends on what you are going to do with the tire ...
Run on the street, NO
Run off-road and get more cuts, YES. I know of Jeeper's with ten plugs in a sidewall. They don't drive on the highways that way ...
lol
Depends on what you are going to do with the tire ...
Run on the street, NO
Run off-road and get more cuts, YES. I know of Jeeper's with ten plugs in a sidewall. They don't drive on the highways that way ...
lol
There are people who might actually try it, and even suggest doing so on message boards. Ignore them and toss the tire, it is no good.
Ever seen an off road patch consisting of a bolt and fender washers. And using ether to pop the tire back onto the bead ? Off roading is all about getting home.
Originally Posted By: car51
Originally Posted By: 4WD
Negative - no sidewalls …
Can’t even repair all of the tread area
Best response ever
Glad i dont live in 3rd world country as tires are cheap and not worth dying for
This!
Originally Posted By: 4WD
Negative - no sidewalls …
Can’t even repair all of the tread area
Best response ever
Glad i dont live in 3rd world country as tires are cheap and not worth dying for
This!
I remember reading many years ago that Michelin permitted certain small nail punctures to be repaired in the sidewall of their tires. I believe it was only the 1/8" small plug patch. I thought it was nuts. They no longer permit such repairs in passenger tires.
- Status
