How to Fix a Flat in 5-Minutes using a Tire Repair Kit

How to Fix a Flat in 5-Minutes using a Tire Repair Kit

Written by Pierce Bryant
February 17, 2023

You are driving down the road, when you hear a loud pop, and your vehicle suddenly begins leaning to one side. You pull over to inspect, and lo-and-behold you have a flat tire. A flat tire is a quick way to ruin somebody’s day, everybody hates a flat – especially if you were already running late – and now you must stay put and wait for AAA to tow your vehicle to a repair shop. This problem is much more common than you would like to believe, and like most problems, it has a solution.

It is time you learn how to fix a flat tire yourself, saving money on the tow, and the tire replacement.

The Items You Will Need

tire repair kit tools

The Tire Repair Kit. These specialized kits contain both the repair cords “worms”, and the puncture tool. This inexpensive item is far more affordable than the alternative vehicle tow and tire replacement, and it is a compact item that will take up little space in your vehicle trunk. They are also extremely easy to use, and we will walk you through the steps on how to repair your flat tire in as little as 5-minutes.

When shopping for a quality repair kit, you will want to keep an eye out for the below items:

  • T-Handle Insert Tool
  • T-Handle Spiral Probe
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • Repair Cords “worms”

You can order our 86-piece heavy-duty tire repair kit here for $29.

How to Quickly Repair A Flat Tire

how to plug a tire

Quickly repairing your tire is an easy task and should only take you a few minutes. Using the guide provided below, you will be able to fix your tire and get back on the road with little time lost. Continue reading to learn how to fix a flat tire in 5-minutes on-the-go with a quality Tire Repair Kit.

  1. Locate the Puncture

Locate the area of your tire that has been punctured. You may need to look hard for this, as some objects can go deep into your tire tread, making them increasingly difficult to find.

  1. Remove the Object

It is time to put those pliers to work. Grab your pliers and use them to remove the foreign object that punctured your tire, depending on how deep the puncture is, this could take a few minutes.

  1. Clean the Puncture

Take ahold of the T-handle spiral probe (Tire Reamer) and use it to ream the puncture hole. Once you feel that the hole is ready for the tire plug “worm”, move on to the next step.

  1. Insert the Tire Plug

Take your insertion tool and thread the repair cord about halfway through it. Now insert the cord into the punctured hole on your tire. You will want it inserted about 2/3 of the way for this to work.

  1. Cut the Repair Cord

Now that your repair cord has been successfully inserted into the tire, take the knife provided in your kit and use it to cut the cord flush with your tire. Make sure it is even with your tire tread.

  1. Refill the Tire

The final step is to refill the air in your tire. If you are near a gas station, use their provided air pump. However, if you would like a quality air pump to keep in your vehicle, you can order one here.

Featured Product: Rhino USA 86-piece Tire Repair Kit

Tire repair kit

Eventually, you will need to get that tire replace by a professional, but this guide should give you that temporary fix until you are ready to take it into the shop. Plus, it saves you a lot of money on a tow. We hope you found this guide informative. If you ever have questions regarding your Rhino USA Tire Repair plug Kit do not hesitate to give our team of experts a call at +1 (800) 575-7310. We would be more than happy to help! If you would like a more detailed guide on using a tire repair kit, you can find one here.

rhino usa tow strap

Tire Repair FAQ's

Can I repair a tire with a sidewall puncture? 

Repairing a tire near the sidewall can be risky and is generally not recommended. Tires flex significantly in this area, and a repair might not hold up under the stress. It's safer to replace the tire to avoid the risk of a blowout.

How close to sidewall can a tire be patched?

Punctures within the tread area, away from the shoulder and sidewall, are generally repairable, provided they meet specific criteria, such as being of a certain size and type. If the puncture is within the shoulder or sidewall areas of the tire, it should not be patched, the tire should be replaced.

How much is it to patch a tire?

Going to a shop to patch your tire can cost on average between $10-$40. This is why we recommending purchasing a tire patch kit, which allows you to repair your own tires and patch multiple tire for a fraction of the cost.