How to Fix a Flat Tire

By admin

Posted April 25, 2018

In Neal's How-To's

Today, we are going to show you how to fix a flat tire using three methods:

1.) Air pump

2.) Spare tire

3.) Patch tire (You will need a plug kit)

Method 1: Easiest way with an air compressor

Try and pump up the tire with a portable 12 volt air compressor. Screw it on to the valve stem and connect the cigarette lighter adapter and plug it to inside your car. Hit the flip switch and the compressor should pump air into the car. Watch the gauge and pump to desired stage. Most car tires have a desired psi ranging from 30-35. Make sure you check what your tire requirements are (listed on tire). Put the valve screw back on. This is the easiest way to fix a flat. Make sure you monitor if the tire is losing air at a rapid rate. If so, its time to use your spare tire.

Method 2: Spare tire

Make sure you have a scissor jack and a tire iron and a key if you have any locking lug nuts.

Break the lug nuts loose. Put a block on the rear wheel to keep the car from possibly sliding. If you don’t know how to jack your car, check the owner’s manual and it will show you the appropriate jacking point. Now lift the wheel all the way off the ground. Finish removing the lug nuts, then remove the wheel. Mount the spare tire unto your car and tighten lug nuts to the wheel.

Method 3: Patch up tire

Make sure you have a scissor jack and a tire iron and a key if you have any locking lug nuts.

Use plenty of soapy water to spray the entire tire. You’re doing this to spot where the leak is. Any air leaking out of the tire is going to cause bubbles. Also, check where the rim and tire meet. There may be corrosion which could cause air to leak out. Spray soapy water on the area to see if any bubble form. Repeat on other side.

Unscrew the valve stem cap and use soapy water to check if there is a leak there as well. Now that you have an idea where the leak is, its time to learn how to patch up the leak.

Plug the leak

Grab a plug pusher and some plugs from you plug kit. Flatten down the end to plug and slide it through the slot of the plug pusher. Pull it half way through. Typically, nails are the main cause of punctured tires. Try using a Philips flat head, side cutters, and pliers to unscrew the nail/screw. Grab the reamer and force into hole. Make sure you get a t-handle plug pusher to give you more control. Move the reamer up and down, twist side-to-side. What you’re doing is prepping the hole for you plug, where you’re removing any loose rubber that would cause air leaks. You’re also smoothing the hole the plug seals it. If your kit has rubber cement, apply to the hole and use reamer to allow rubber cement inside of the hole.

Grab another plug and slide through the slot of the plug pusher. If you have rubber cement, apply to the plug. Remove the old plug pusher and quickly put in the new one. Use your body weight to push the plug in till about 1/4 of the plug is left sticking out. Give the plug pusher a firm pull out. The plug is going to remain and the pusher is removed from the tire. Let the plug dry for about 10 minutes. The goal now is to get the plug to be flat and even with the tire. Use side cutters or a blade to cut/smoothen it out.

Use soapy water to check if any leaks still remain. Add the recommended air pressure to your tire. Now you are ready to mount your tire back on your car. Tighten all the lug nuts, remove the jack stand, then drop down the jack to allow the car to come down. Use a torque wrench to make sure the lug nuts are equally tightened. It is safe to drive with a tire that was fixed with a plug, but not recommended to drive with it for a long time. We recommend you bring the car into our shop. Our guys will patch up the tire from the inside as well to ensure maximum safety.

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