can you put tubes in car tires

[MasonFitz]

Yes, you can install tubes in some car tires, but it is generally not recommended for modern passenger vehicles and can be unsafe. This practice, known as tubing a tire, is intended for specific scenarios like salvaging a damaged tire or for use on older classic cars that were originally designed for tube-type tires. For the vast majority of contemporary cars with tubeless tires, adding a tube is a risky temporary fix at best.

The primary reason this is discouraged is compatibility and safety. Modern tubeless tires are engineered to form an airtight seal directly with the wheel rim. Forcing a tube inside can create excessive heat due to internal friction, especially at highway speeds. This buildup of heat is a major cause of tire failure. Furthermore, if your tire has suffered any internal damage, like a small cut or separation, the tube can bulge into that space (a phenomenon called tube pinching) and rapidly deflate.

The only time it's considered acceptable is for certain types of off-road or agricultural vehicles that use specific, flexible rim designs, or for temporary use on a spare tire to get you to a repair shop. Even then, the tire should be replaced properly as soon as possible.

The following table outlines common tire and wheel scenarios and whether using a tube is advisable:

Tire/Wheel Scenario	Recommended to Use a Tube?	Key Reason
Modern Tubeless Tire on Standard Alloy Wheel	No	High risk of heat buildup and failure.
Classic Car with Original Tube-Type Wheels	Yes	Correct application for the period.
Temporary Spare (Donut) Tire	Sometimes	As a last-resort fix to reach a service center.
Off-Road Vehicle with Beadlock Rims	Yes	Designed for tube use to run very low pressures.
Tire with Minor Bead Leak (Slow Leak)	No	The correct repair is to professionally reseal the bead or replace the wheel.
Tire with Puncture in Sidewall	No	The tire is irreparable and must be replaced.

The definitive solution for a leaking tire is a proper repair by a certified technician or outright replacement. Installing a tube simply masks the underlying problem, which could be a damaged wheel or a tire that is no longer structurally sound.

[LaElias]

I tried this once on an old pickup truck with a slow leak. It got me home, but the tire guy chewed me out for it. He said the inside of a modern tire isn't smooth, and the tube rubs against it, creating a ton of heat. That heat can cause a blowout. It's just not worth the risk. If your tire is leaking, get it properly patched from the inside or just replace it. Safety first.

[LunaLynn]

Think of it like this: your car's tire and wheel are designed to work together as a sealed unit. Putting a tube inside is like adding an extra layer that wasn't meant to be there. It can cause friction and overheating, especially when you're driving fast on the highway. While it might hold air for a little while, you're essentially trading a slow leak for a potential sudden and dangerous tire failure. It's a band-aid solution on a problem that needs real repair.