I just got back fro Big-O tires and they had free tire repair. They "plugged" the tire vs patching it. Would you trust a "plug"? I remember in the past at a another tire repair store saying that they don't "plug" tires due to possible reliability and liability issues. Is that true?? This happened to my car during the past two hrs...
Would you trust a "plug" versus a patch for repairing a tire??
- Thread starter Kaieye
- Start date
- Nov 27, 1999
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Temporarily, yes, I'd trust a plug, but that's only till I could get the tire patched or replaced 
- Mar 20, 2000
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i did one of those home plug things... the plug was some sticky rubber you threaded through a piece of metal and then stuck it into the tire... you were then supposed to twist until the hole was fixed. the package didn't explain how you would know that it was fixed.... didn't work anyway. shoulda followed the instructions on the fix a flat better
A plug is a perfectly good permanent repair as long as the damage i appropriate for a plug repair and it is installed correctly. Plugs should not be used for sidewall damage or if there is any cord damage. Of course, a patch isn't such a good idea in these cases either. The cheap plugs that look like rectangular pieces of rubber and are twisted in are not good. The ones that have a large head and a tail that are pushed in and pulled back out are fine.
The bottom line is that modern tires are not good candidates for home repairs but a professional who knows what he's doing can easily install a plug that will last as long as the tire.
Ive done that about 5 or 6 times...and its always worked perfectly and it stayed plugged until it was time to replace the tire.
In that case, since Big-O tire store are the professionals, I should be able to sleep well this evening. Thanks for the quick reply!
Too bad the pros I know would never use a plug...........only patches. Interestingly, most tire manufacturers will continue their warranty on a tire if patched, but void it if plugged. This includes Goodyear, Bridgestone, Uniroyal, and a few other brands sold at my brother's shop.
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,514
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I'll agree here. Plugging is generally only for lawn mower/ATV tires. I wouldn't trust it on an automotive tire.
ZV
Would you trust a "plug" versus a patch for repairing a tire??
YES, been pluggin my own tires for about ten years and never had one fail.
YES, been pluggin my own tires for about ten years and never had one fail.
The problem with plugging a radial tire is that all the layers of rubber shift over time as the tire is used. A plug passes through all these layers interferring with this natural shifting. This problem is amplified when you rotate tires and its then travelling in the opposite direction.
I learned all this after I got a tire plugged. Within another 5000 miles I had to replace it as the balancing went all to hell.
I learned all this after I got a tire plugged. Within another 5000 miles I had to replace it as the balancing went all to hell.
You guys are paranoid. Plugs work fine. If you're really concerned and have the time, get a patch (I'm certainly not saying it isn't better) but there's nothing wrong with a plug.
I manage to pick up nails and screws in my tires pretty frequently, and don't have any real issues with plugging them. When I first bought my (used) 300ZX, I went about 5,000 miles and then it was time to replace them. Tire shop removed the old tires, and amusingly enough there were something like 4 or 5 plugs in one of them. And they survived plenty of 300 horsepower burnouts and 140 mph runs for the border. So I'm guessing that in most cases, a plug will do just fine. I think over the last few years I've put in 3 or 4 plugs and one patch, because that time a HUGE cement screw went into my tire.
You do run the risk of off-balancing the tire with a plug, but if they patch your tire they definitely have to rebalance it immediately afterwards. But of course for a patch the tire is already off the car. I've never used the DIY kits, but had plenty of gas-station-mechanics put plugs in, and never had an issue. I can't comment on the tire rotation, because I've never rotated my tires before. (for various reasons, not possible/needed with my vehicles)
I manage to pick up nails and screws in my tires pretty frequently, and don't have any real issues with plugging them. When I first bought my (used) 300ZX, I went about 5,000 miles and then it was time to replace them. Tire shop removed the old tires, and amusingly enough there were something like 4 or 5 plugs in one of them. And they survived plenty of 300 horsepower burnouts and 140 mph runs for the border. So I'm guessing that in most cases, a plug will do just fine. I think over the last few years I've put in 3 or 4 plugs and one patch, because that time a HUGE cement screw went into my tire.
You do run the risk of off-balancing the tire with a plug, but if they patch your tire they definitely have to rebalance it immediately afterwards. But of course for a patch the tire is already off the car. I've never used the DIY kits, but had plenty of gas-station-mechanics put plugs in, and never had an issue. I can't comment on the tire rotation, because I've never rotated my tires before. (for various reasons, not possible/needed with my vehicles)
I had picked up a nail in a tire a few years ago. The tire store I went to plugged it. I got about five miles out of town when the plug blew out and the tire shredded.
I have never let a tire of mine be plugged again and I haven't been back to that tire store.
I have never let a tire of mine be plugged again and I haven't been back to that tire store.
Thanks for the tip. The tire has about 22k and I plan on putting in new tires in the fall. There was a nail hole right in the center of the tread but it seems to be fine after it was plugged. If it was on the sidewall, I would buy a new tire.
Thanks again for the comments and opinions.
Thanks again for the comments and opinions.
JC
Diamond Member
- Feb 1, 2000
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As I worked 4 years at a tire shop, and repaired many tires (including many that were plugged by other shops and still leaked), I agree with Dave 100%. We NEVER plugged tires, only patched. Plugs are NOT a permanent repair. Plugging also tends to increase the size of the puncture, and further damages the cord plies. It's always best to just get it patched in the first place, except as a very last resort.
JC
I have screw that's stuck in my tire right now. It's been there for the past 7,000 miles now. When I had called the dealership, they wanted to charge me for it. WTF? I get all my service done there (except tire rotation which I think made them made and the reasoning for the screw) and it's not like I'm going anywhere else. I'll continue to do 100+ MPH runs on the freeway until I get new tires over having it plugged.
OMG you're kidding they wanted to charge you to do work?!? The nerve
I don't think any shops around here ever patch, they all plug. Mine have always held.....*shrug*
Originally posted by: Soybomb
OMG you're kidding they wanted to charge you to do work?!? The nerve
I don't think any shops around here ever patch, they all plug. Mine have always held.....*shrug*
GM wants me to buy cars from them in the future, right? I think they could easily eat $20 for the stupid plug.
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