How to fix a Flat Tire Under 10 Minutes. Is it Possible?

Most of us are constantly on-the-go, and we all know that time is money.

However, life sometimes throws us some lemons and worse, flat tires.

Ironically, we’re burdened by this situation whenever we’re in a rush but fret not because today, you won’t have to go around in circles because we’re going to share with you how easy it is to fix a flat tire in under 10 minutes.

What to do when you’re unpleasantly surprised by a flat tire?

The amount of solutions when it comes to fixing a flat tire is limitless.

But we’re only going to share with you the easiest and most effective ways so that you could get your car up and running in no time.

1. Replace Your Flat Tire

Saving your flat tire can be more cost-effective but if you’re always on-the-go, you must always have a spare tire in the trunk of your car.

The road is not as predictable as it may seem and our tires are always susceptible to damage.

2. Call for Help

This is not the best idea if you’re in a hurry but it’s a sure and safe way of fixing a flat tire.

If you don’t know how to fix a flat tire, you should always have a car repair company’s card ready as you’ll never know when you’ll be stranded in a desolate area.

If you’re in New Orleans, your safest bet would be to call us.

With more than 19 years in the industry, our auto shop is proud of our expertise, but are also known for our top-notch customer service.

Our warm and friendly staff are always ready to cater to your car repair needs so don’t forget to save our number in your phone.

A 9-step guide to fix a flat tire caused by a nail

The best way to address a flat tire caused by a nail puncture is through a car repair service.

Proper techniques are vital to avoid damage which may result in an accident.

However, you may temporarily fill the hole with your tire to avoid expensive payments to tow trucks and repairs.

1. Use a Flat Tire Repair Kit

A flat tire repair kit can be bought in car repair shops. It consists of materials that are required to plug the hole in your tire.

This is usually made up of an insertion needle, tire plug, and a rasp tool.
Know that plugging a hole is only a temporary solution.

If you want to have confidence when it comes to safety, you must consult a professional tire service technician.

Tire repair kits are available at:

● Department stores
● Online

If the damage to your flat tire has reached the point where it can’t run anymore, you’re going to need a tire gauge and a tire inflator.

These will be responsible for pumping air into your tire after plugging it.

2. Remove your tire from the car

To get rid of the nail from your car easily, you should detach it from your car.

This is especially helpful if you have no way of reaching the nail.

What you’ll need to detach a tire from your car:

● Carjack (to lift the car 6 inches (15.24 cm) off the ground)
● Lug wrench (to unscrew the lug nuts to successfully detach the tire

Once you’re done detaching the tire from your car, look for the nail.

3. Know if your tire is eligible to be temporarily plugged

Not all tire holes can be temporarily plugged.

Tires that have holes that are bigger than ¼ inch are unsafe to be plugged.

Furthermore, if the nail’s location is at the side or on the shoulder of the tire (tire edges outside the tread), tire-plugging isn’t a good idea either.

Doing so won’t properly plug the hole and may result in further damages.

4. Put a tire plug through the hole at the insertion needle’s end

You may do so by using an insertion needle. This tool has a metal needle with a hole at the end and has a t-shaped handle.

Locate the center of the hole and make sure that there’s an equal amount of rubber on each side.

After the plug’s successfully centered in the insertion needle, you can put the tool aside.

5. Take off the nail using needle nose pliers

Have your tire repair kit beside you. This will help plug the hole quickly to prevent too much air from coming out.

6. Use the rasp tool and insert it into the hole

Push and pull it until it scratches up the hole. This will give the rubber plug a better grip. Pull it out once done.

7. Plug the hole

Using the insertion needle, apply a lot of pressure in plugging the hole.

Once the rubber plugs’ ends are ½ inch away from being fully inserted into the hole, stop pushing.

Push and pull the insertion needle to check if the rubber plug is properly in place. Once everything’s good, cut the excess rubber off.

8. Inflate your flat tire

If your tire is flat, you may use a portable tire inflator.

Be sure that you’re inflating it using the right pressure. To know what’s recommended for your tire, check the manual or see what’s written on the sticker located at the driver’s side door.

9. Use a tire sealant for extra protection

You don’t want to waste all your hard work by not properly sealing your tires.
To know what the best tire sealants are, the top things to look for are:

● Good formulation
● VOC-approved
● Work for all tires
● Endure freezing temperatures
● Can seal up to ¼ inch puncture
● Include an injector
● Non-toxic
● Instantly seal a puncture

Replace your flat tire quickly with these easy steps

If you don’t have the time to spare in repairing your flat tire, it’s time to take out your spare tire (pun intended).

1. Move your car to flat ground that’s safe and away from traffic.
2. Take your tools, jack, and spare tire out.
3. Locate your lug nuts and loosen them.
4. Get your spare tire ready and jack up your car.
5. Take off the lug nuts.
6. Detach the flat tire from your car.
7. Replace the flat tire with your spare tire.
8. Lower your car and remove the jack.
9. Tighten the lug nuts and you’re good to go.

Get the Best Tires in the Market

Investing in quality tires lessens the time to replace or repair them. Talk to our guys at NOLA Automotive Repairs to get the best tires.

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