Legalities of Tire Plug Repairs The legality and safety of utilizing a tire plug for repairs is widely disputed when the discussion turns to repairing tires. Vehicle owners need to know what tire repair regulations and practices entail.
Legal Considerations
Whether or not tire plugs are legal depends on the region and safety rules. If you break it down, it is not entirely illegal to put in a tire plug but there are those who suggest wheels should not just be fixed with one. For reasons of safety, the NHTSA proffers that tires should be repaired with a combination plug and patch repair1. It also protects the structural integrity of the tire—this is important to avoid blowouts, which can result in potentially catastrophic accidents.
Safety Concerns
They make decent a semi-permanent fix, especially when you’re in a bind. They are not a permanent fix for the problem, though. A plug-only repair does not address possible internal damage to the tire and could lead to a future failure14. Moreover, if the hole is in the sidewall or shoulder of the tire, said repairs are normally discouraged because these parts suffer great stress during operation3.
Industry Standards
The tire repair industry follows standards on what is considered an acceptable repair. Repairs should only be made in this zone and never above a certain size limit (usually 6 mm)3. Additionally, any damage or incorrect repair methods not indicated above would mean the tire is no longer able to be repaired. This, effectively, means that plugs are an illegal fitment and as a result are still present on the site listed under items fitted to standard vehicles.
In summary then, while a plug-only repair is permissible in some instances, be sure to adhere to best practices and keep safety in mind. A proper fix would be a combination repair using both a plug and patch.
