Patch or Plug? Which makes the most sense for your situation?

Patch or Plug? Which makes the most sense for your situation?

Need to fix a flat? Chances are a flat always seems to come at the most inconvenient time. Time is on your side when you notice that you have a flat on your hands. Have you ever wondered what the difference between patching a hole and plugging it was? Do they do the same thing? If you have a tire that’s going flat, the answer is both; well sort of. Patching and plugging are really two different things, but if you’re in a hurry, they perform the same function. 

There are several key factors that you should take into consideration when making the determination to patch or plug. A few of the basics are: 


Time. Are you on the way to a job interview, or are you currently working from home? How often do you drive the car with the flat? 

Location. Where is your car currently? Is it in a place that is easy to get around the tire in question? Has it been sitting for quite some time? 

How Handy Are You? Depending on where you initially purchased your tires, the mechanic or tire dealer may offer a discounted or free plug or patch if you need. 

At the end of the day, there are several key factors that you really need to think about and weight if it makes sense to patch or plug. It’s clear that a plug can be the cheaper and option to lean towards if you are in a hurry and need to keep moving throughout your day. However, if you are looking for more of a quality repair a patch might be just what you are looking for. When in doubt, always ask your trusted local mechanic or tire dealer.