can't fix a speed rated tire?

[JDub02]

Over the weekend, I saw that my one rear tire was nearly flat. Being at Wal-mart at the time, I figured I'd just take it off and have them fix it. Easy, right?

Well, no. I put the donut on and drove around to the tire center. I carried the flat tire in and asked for a repair. I was told that they don't touch low profile tires. My tires aren't anything special, just the stock ones on my Mazda6 (225/45R18). So after striking out at Wal-mart, I figured I'd try Pepboys. I figured they'd be able to patch it. So I called them and they said they won't touch a speed rated tire and I'd have to buy a new one.

So I went to Auto Zone and bought a plug kit and plugged it myself. Holding air just fine. I realize that the speed rating probably isn't valid, but as long as it'll do 75, I'm quite happy. So far so good.

Anyone else run into problems with a speed rated or low profile tire trying to get it fixed?

 

[DougK62]

Walmart and Pepboys didn't want to do it because only goons work in the service areas of those stores. All tires are speed rated, so I'm not sure what the Pepboys moron that you got was talking about.

Take it to any competent TIRE store and they'll be able to fix it just fine.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I haven't had the issue come up, but I'm surprised that the shops wouldn't plug it as long as the hole was in the tread and not in the sidewall. If the hole is in the sidewall, there are structural considerations that make it unsafe to plug. If the hole is in the tread, it's fine.

You are correct that the speed rating is no longer valid for patched tires and you should treat it as an un-rated tire which is only speed rated to 81 mph (the odd speed is due to the ratings being given in km/h). In reality, you're probably safe to go over 100 mph and you shouldn't worry yourself with normal day-to-day driving on the tire. I wouldn't autocross with it, but you'll be fine for commuting and groceries and even "spirited" driving within legal limits.

ZV

 

[JDub02]

Doug,

Most/all garages were closed for the day, so getting it to a "real" shop wasn't an option.


ZV,

Right in the center of the tread. I didn't think it'd be a problem either. I would have rather had it patched by a shop instead of sticking in a plug, but it's holding.

 

[Vetterin]

I have been using the do-it-yourself plug kits for years. I plugged one of my 85 Corvettes
Yokohoma tires probably about 6-7 years ago and it's still on my car plus you save about $10 by doing it yourself.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Vetterin
I have been using the do-it-yourself plug kits for years. I plugged one of my 85 Corvettes
Yokohoma tires probably about 6-7 years ago and it's still on my car plus you save about $10 by doing it yourself.

good to know.

off topic here, but my dad just bought an 85 Vette a few months ago. 14k original miles. nice car and alot faster than the engine specs indicate. the 4+3 is a little weird, though.

 

[ayabe]

I had a somewhat similar experience with a flat on a 3 week old tire a few months ago.

Hole was about .75-1 inch from the sidewall and I was told by 3 different tire shops that they wouldn't patch it because it was too close to the sidewall and they couldn't vouch for the tire's integrity.

So I ended up having to buy a new one.

 

[mooseracing]

Plug patches work the best if you are worried about the speed rating. The plug patch is insert from the inside and is forced against the tire to seal by the air pressue. I've used them to patch many rock holes and railroad spikes.

 

[Vetterin]

Originally posted by: JDub02

good to know.

off topic here, but my dad just bought an 85 Vette a few months ago. 14k original miles. nice car and alot faster than the engine specs indicate. the 4+3 is a little weird, though.

While it's not fair to compare todays car with the 85, with 230 hp and 330 ft/lbs torque on 87 octane on the L98 made the 85 vette the fastest american production car of that year.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Garages like to use the plug/patch rather than just a plug (liability issues). Patch requires removing tire from rim. Crap garages like Wally World & PepBoys don't like dismounting/remounting 45-series tires (scared of damaging rim).

I actually had a Wally World sell my daughter 55-series tires (on-line, with in-store pickup & mounting) then refuse to mount the "extreme low-profile" tires. I had to go to the store manager before the tire department manager "discovered" they were allowed to mount 55-series tires. Last time anybody in my family gets tires there.

 

[Gillbot]

I plugged one of my racing tires once and went to the track. Probably wasn't the best idea i've ever had but after waiting this long for track time and getting a flat at 4am on the SUNDAY morning of track day (no tire stores open), nothing was keeping me from that track.