woke up today to go to work, went to the garage, operned the garage door, as i reached for the passenger handle to put my bag in i looked down and damn the rear left tyre was flat as a tack.
grabbed the keys to my wrx and drove to work, finished up and went back home after an hour at work to change the front to the compact wheel and swap out the flat rear for the front.
i tried to put the flat in the boot thing doesnt close, i had to strap it down and trundled off to the tyre shop.
the guys there looked real confused cause last time i was there i had my black one, anyway found out a little stick got stuck in the tyre and patched it up, cost me $16.50.
my question, should this repair effect the characteristics of the tyre?

 

the tire will fit fine and close if you remove the tool area so it's clear and just put the tools to the side until you remove the tire...it will close fine then

for next time that is.

 

I recently got a flat front tire, 5 nails in one spot (I assume that someone set this up on the road as the car was never out of my sight).

While I knew that I could not get this plugged or patched I inquired about fixing a regular single puncture. The tire shop stated that you should not patch or plug a "speed" rated tire. If you do the speed rating is void due to the patch or plug failing at high speed.

Also the new tire was ordered from Tire Rack so they were only mounting and balancing and would probably benefit them to sell me a patch or plug. I wish it could have been repaired, cost me $207 incl shipping and mounting and balancing...

 

Where was the puncture and how do you drive? If it was in the sidewall, do not even attempt to drive on the tire. It is a guarantee for disaster. If it was in the tread, it may be acceptable if, and only if, you do not drive it hard. A patched tire should NEVER be used at a track event. The tire should be removed from the rim and patched from the inside for the best results. Patches made from the outside can damage the tire cords, and IMO are not safe.

Now, having said all that, I would actually replace it because, how can you own this car and not drive it like it's meant to be driven.

 

thanks swurve, ill remember that, didnt even bother to remove the stuff, just shoved it in the boot
the puncture was in the tread, doesnt really matter cause i dont track it at all. and no i dont flog the car, considering i totalled my last one, so im a little caustious nowadays at the ripe old age of 25
anyways, will be investing in new rims and tyres when these wear out, in a few thousand k's of course