Are plug tire repairs safe?

[Mc_Flier]

As long as it doesn’t leak. I plugged one on the Armada so the wife could drive it up for repair. They told her it was too close to the sidewall to repair, but “Your husbands plug isn’t leaking.” We haven’t replaced that tire yet.
I’ve plugged tires for over 40 years.

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[mcluvin]

I've had a plug fail at highway speeds. It just became a flat tire, nothing crazy. PSA - If you have a Sam's Club Membership, they will repair your tire for free no matter where you bought it. I prefer Discount Tire though. Shops are everywhere and they are quick, but they only do free repairs on tires purchased from them. When they tell me they can't repair it safely, I go to the local Independent shop and get it done.

 

[inthecabin]

American tire repairs for free whether you bought them there or not. They patch not plug won’t patch sidewalls. I keep a good plug kit for just in case but I won’t plug a sidewall.

 

[MMCWhitehead]

IMHO- Nealey tire plugs are one of the best, if not THE BEST.

Inserted per the instructions, the synthetic rubber and cotton cord forms a knot on the inside of the puncture, so it stays in place. Also, under normal circumstances, there's no need to ream the hole, hence less likelihood of damaging the steel belts in the tire.

I keep a kit in each of my vehicles (except my antique motorcycle- it has tube-type tires).

https://www.nealeytirerepairkit.com/

 

[Maverickman74]

American tire repairs for free whether you bought them there or not. They patch not plug won’t patch sidewalls. I keep a good plug kit for just in case but I won’t plug a sidewall.

Back in my ohio jeeping days I saw stitched and plugged sidewalls. The used fishing line I think and plugged between the stitches. It would leak but would stay up for the whole day of wheeling.

 

[sanhozay]

I have done track days with plugged tires before, never had any issues!

 

[GTBuzz]

I have used tire repair stings for years and they lasted the life of the tire. As long as it's not close to the side wall they will work fine. Keep the strings and tool in your glove box along with you tire inflator. And learn the proper way to use them. There won't be any blow outs unless you have a defect present in the tire.

I worked in a car repair shop in the 90s. Put hundreds of plugs in and back then no one even questioned it. Never had one come back and they were considered permanent.

Nowadays, shops see a plug and say ohh you have to buy a new tire because it's not a patch. Had that happen recently at discount tire. They dont allow plug repairs on their warrantied tires. I said just pulll the plug and patch it then, but they dont patch where a plug been. Luckily the guy gave me a new tire almost covered completely by the warranty. Couldn't believe it really.

 

[icegradner]

I've also had both plugs and patches done, never had an issue. Of course the tire company I use repairs any tire under warranty purchased from them, never paid for a patch or plug yet.

 

[IwannaMav]

Driving on a tire right now that has 2 separate plugs in it, been that way for over 30k miles. No problems at all.

 

[KSC Grey Ghost]

Sorry I look at safety very differently tires being number one How much is your life worth How much is your family's life worth Don't play games with tires its one game you don't want to lose . Just facts from pushing a patrol car around for 30 plus years.

 

[Fancy Farm]

I have used hundreds of them over the years never had one fail. I don't know if I have a car, truck, tractor, or ATV without one.

 

[EveryDayNick]

What’s your life, safety to your family and others around you worth?

Never have to think about that until you do, am I right?

Plugs are an emergency solution and the tire should be replaced shortly after or properly repaired. Sidewall damages or near the sidewall should outright be a replacement of the tire.

You might go all your life never worrying about it and just plugging tires as you go..or be once and done. Hard to say, but for $1-300 bucks I’d just pay and go on. Although I’m financially able to make those decisions..even tho I’m a major DIYer. There are just some things you don’t take chances with. I work in a Trauma ER so I see all those examples of people who don’t need warnings.

My $.02

 

[commadorebob]

I have a plug in my Saturn. It has developed a verrrry slow leak at the plug but I am two-three months out of kicking it to the curb and drive it once a month. So, I'm not concerned with it.

I have used plugs for years without issue. But last time my wife got a flat while driving, I told her to reinflate it and take it to a tire shop to patch as the screw will slow the leak long enough for her to get there.

So, it basically comes down to how comfortable you are to doing the plug.

 

[Barksdale123]

Had more plugs done than I care to recall. My vehicles always seem to be nail magnets. Just had my mav done a few weeks ago.

As long as it's in the tread and not the sidewall you are good to go. If it's on the corner, get it patched. If it's in the sidewall get a new tire.

Yes. Forgot to mention that

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I worked in a car repair shop in the 90s. Put hundreds of plugs in and back then no one even questioned it. Never had one come back and they were considered permanent.

Nowadays, shops see a plug and say ohh you have to buy a new tire because it's not a patch. Had that happen recently at discount tire. They dont allow plug repairs on their warrantied tires. I said just pulll the plug and patch it then, but they dont patch where a plug been. Luckily the guy gave me a new tire almost covered completely by the warranty. Couldn't believe it really.

Also if the new tire has over 3/32" tread more than other three tires and you ask discount manager he most likely will mount new ones on those three at same time prorating unused wear discount for those three. If you purchased the discount certificates when you bought them. Not the cheapest way but it may be worth it to have a matched set at a real decent price.

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