How to fix a flat car tire

My car got a nail in the tire and rather than bring it to the garage to have them plug it, I did and took some pics.

This instructable will show you how to patch your car tire.

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Step 1: Tools

You'll need:
- Car jack
- Lug wrench (or socket)
- Pliers
- Knife or Knips

- Patch kit

cpotoso says: Nov 23, 2008. 8:18 PM

1) Why did you remove the wheel from the car if you are not going to remove the tire from the wheel? Seems unnecessary. 2) The puncture is too close to the side-wall, I am concerned that the flexing there will make the fix not very long-lasting. Is this so? Could you comment? (I am not an expert, the comment above is what I've heard from a tire repair person, in a similar case they recommended to change the tire!)

joe (author) in reply to cpotosoNov 24, 2008. 6:11 AM

Hey cpotoso - - I removed the wheel because the nail was on the inner side of the tire, easier access this way. - I believe there is some concern, but these are run flat tires and I am not overly concerned as they have stiffer sidewalls. thanks for asking. -Joe

kukopia in reply to joeMay 17, 2010. 11:35 AM

So you're telling us that run-flat tires don't run flat.... good to know.

cpotoso in reply to joeNov 24, 2008. 7:52 AM

Thank you for the reply. Good instructable.

tireguy says: Jun 27, 2009. 4:54 AM

A tire should never be repaired like this!! Tire repairs should only be done in the crown of the tire, about an inch inside the shoulder. In this case, the nail may have caused unseen damage to the inside of the tire. You may only see the nail head from the out side but the nail may have been rubbing the sidewall from the inside, causing a very dangerous situation" a possible blowout ". A tire that is being repaired, should be removed from the rim, inspected for further damage and repaired with a patch plug...it might cost a bit more but for an extra 20 dollars, it might just save your life!!!!

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killerjackalope says: Nov 23, 2008. 9:07 PM

Tricky spot to plug, it'll probably be OK but plugs aren't a great option, they tend to be used as a stop gap because they can come out etc. Country dependant they can be illegal for road use. In this case it's not a bad idea considering a patch wouldn't take in the corner. Check your air pressure once in a while, sometimes they can still be slow punctures, as long as you keep on top of it it's rarely an issue, usually just a few PSI down over a month. Overall when applicable patching is preferable and pretty simple, just like your bike tyre, the main difference being that a coral rock bit used as a buffer is the norm, it can be roughed and cleaned other ways like liquid buffer, a normal car tyre like a 185-65-15 or something similar can be changed by hand, it's just not as easy without a machine. Once you get to 18" rims and over it tends to be nigh on impossible for most people, 4X4 tyres aren't too bad but Van and MPV tyres tend to reinforced sidewalls which cause difficulty. I may do an 'ible sometime, I've been entertaining the thought...

Fixerdad in reply to killerjackalopeFeb 6, 2009. 6:39 AM

So it's really against the law in some places to fix your own tires? Considering how well my plugs have worked, this seems more than a little wierd.

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killerjackalope in reply to FixerdadFeb 7, 2009. 10:26 AM

Tyre plugs themselves can be unreliable, they're a temporary measure so some places are strict on them being legal, I suspect that you'd be fine using them to get to a place for a repair, patches are inherently more reliable, also if you know how to take the tyre off the rim they're dead easy to fit, just like a bike but with more sanding,...

Fixerdad says: Feb 5, 2009. 1:03 PM

I keep a schrader valve tool in the car for when this happens (in addition to the plug kit and air pump). They cost about a buck. I unscrew & remove the valve core from the valve so the air is gone in seconds, rather than standing there holding the valve open. The core then goes back in and continue as you indicated. I've never had a plug like this fail, and some of mine have over 50,000 miles on them

scafool says: Dec 26, 2008. 9:32 AM

Yup, good instructible. I use this method but the cord I get for plugging is coated in some kind of black gummy crap and they do not recommend rubber cement. These patches only work on tubeless tires, they usually last longer than the tire does too. I have never had them leak or come out.

spw_blazer says: Nov 24, 2008. 11:19 AM

Be careful about using plugs on the side of a tire. There are different loads on the side (more flex) which can cause steel separation inside the tire and a blowout.