I had my new rear tires for less than a month and got a big screw through the tread. I had the hole "plugged" but is this really that safe? I don't want to find out when I'm cruising at 100mph on the freeway.

 

Do not plug your tire's. I am assuming that they did not unmount the tires and patch them from the inside. They use a rubber plug in the hole. This method is extremely unsafe. If you have to repair a puncture, get it patched not plugged. Discount Tires here in Texas do it for free, they even re-ballance your wheels afterwards.


Dale

 

The ONLY time I plug a tire is when it's going to be replaced shortly. I've always insisted on a patch on the inside.

Are plugs safe? They've been used on millions (billions?) of tires over the years with success so my first impression is that they're safe. However, stress them with high speeds, cornering forces, etc. and my comfort level falls a lot. It'd be interesting to see data on both but a constant remains: the tire manufacturer backs out of performance claims if the tire is damaged. They can't say how any particular puncture will damage cords, etc. A plug stretches the initial injury so it would seem that would reduce confidence even more...

 

i have used plugs at least four times in the past, never had a problem. if they are done properly, they should last longer than your tires.

 

DSF_S2k, why are they unsafe? Do you have supporting evidence of this??
Tire Plugs are completely safe as long as its installed properly and only in the tread area. You cant plug the sidewall, that is definately unsafe.

Ive had a plug in my Civic Tires put in 2 years ago....to this day i have no problem with the tire..

Plugs are completely safe providing they are installed properly. Like said here, they should last the complete life of the tire.

 

there are two major types of plugs - the ones that are plugged from the outside which is just a cylindrical rubber plug that is slight larger than the hole. These are not recommended.

The other type is the mushroom shaped ones where they are supposed to burnish the area surrounding the hole on the inside of the tire and glue the patch in place with the rubber stub protuding out through the hole. These should work quite well as they are mechanically and chemically bound. Though, I personally, would not track any repaired tires or wheels.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by s2ktaxi
[B]there are two major types of plugs - the ones that are plugged from the outside which is just a cylindrical rubber plug that is slight

 

I picked up a 1/4 inch puncture in my left rear tire during my second week of ownwership (186 miles). I pulled the tire off and had a freind take me to a nearby NTB Tire store on Rt. 1960 in the North Houston area. They removed the tire from the rim, installed a mushroom shaped plug/patch from the inside, rebalanced the tire, all in less than 20 minutes and at no charge. I check the repair every other day along with the air pressure. No problems yet with about 2500 miles total at this point.