Is it safe to plug a tire?

[John McCabe]

The nail is near the edge of the tire and so the tire shops would not fix it. They only patch a tire and not plug it.

Can't seem to find any small auto shop to plug it, but its something I should be able to do myself. But searching around, it is not clear if this safe? What do you guys think? Thank you.

 

[daveybrat]

I'm guessing that if a tire shop says they can't do it then i certainly wouldn't try it myself. Might be a serious road hazard.

 

[skyking]

Yes you can plug a tire, I have never seen a tire catastrophically fail due to a plug repair. Location is the issue. If it is where the radial belts meet the sidewall, that spot will flex and the plug may give up and start leaking. A patch is impossible in the corner area too.
Bottom line if you are not familiar with plugging tires get help or get a tire.

 

[sdifox]

The nail is near the edge of the tire and so the tire shops would not fix it. They only patch a tire and not plug it.

Can't seem to find any small auto shop to plug it, but its something I should be able to do myself. But searching around, it is not clear if this safe? What do you guys think? Thank you.

Patch is the right way to fix it. Most tire shops will do the work if you tell them you understand the risk and waive their liability.

 

[Meghan54]

Patch is the right way to fix it. Most tire shops will do the work if you tell them you understand the risk and waive their liability.

Actually, plug-and-patch is the current "proper" way to fix a puncture, according to Michelin and the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association and its recommended repair procedures.


From Michelin's owner's manual:

"Repairs of all tires must be of the combined-plug-and-inside-patch type." (Pg. 17)

https://dcadprod.azureedge.net/b2c-experience-production/attachments/cktesq12f026n01ndha925kpy-michelin-replacement-owner-s-manual-warranty-mdw41156-august-2021.pdf

From the U.S. Tire Mfgr's website:

"A rubber stem, or plug, must be applied to fill the puncture injury and a patch must be applied to seal the inner liner. (A plug alone is an unacceptable repair.)"

Tire Repair Basics

www.ustires.org

 

[sdifox]

Actually, plug-and-patch is the current "proper" way to fix a puncture, according to Michelin and the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association and its recommended repair procedures.


From Michelin's owner's manual:

"Repairs of all tires must be of the combined-plug-and-inside-patch type." (Pg. 17)

https://dcadprod.azureedge.net/b2c-experience-production/attachments/cktesq12f026n01ndha925kpy-michelin-replacement-owner-s-manual-warranty-mdw41156-august-2021.pdf

From the U.S. Tire Mfgr's website:

"A rubber stem, or plug, must be applied to fill the puncture injury and a patch must be applied to seal the inner liner. (A plug alone is an unacceptable repair.)"

Tire Repair Basics

www.ustires.org

yeah I was just making the distinction of simply plugging as opposed to taking tire off rim and plug and patch from inside.

 

[skyking]

'why I was plugging tires when you were knee-high to an elephant' old coot rant.

 

[BoomerD]

'why I was plugging tires when you were knee-high to an elephant' old coot rant.

LOL. I was in the middle of no-where eastern WA in the mid-70's and got a flat. The only small service station close would only plug the hole...I wasn't crazy about it, but it was better than nothing. Damned plug lasted a couple of years until I replaced the tires.

 

[Torn Mind]

If my scrawny 130 lb body with noodle arms can plug a tire (with considerable exertion) even when the wheel is still stuck on a car, anyone without a severe health defect can.

Shops will only patch because it is more reliable and they don’t want to get sued.

 

[lxskllr]

I've plugged all kinds of tires, and in unapproved locations, and the only failure I had was a hole that took six plugs to fill, but it still got me home, which is all that was required. If you aren't comfortable with the possibility of failure at speed, and handling it, replace the tire. A front tire deserves more caution than a rear.