Plug or patch a tire?

Do people still plug tires or is it now considered unsafe?

Over the last few years I've had people tell me they don't plug tires anymore. I've had my own kit at home and done my own for years. So are tires places doing this just to make more off of people? Or is there really a safety issue behind it?

I had this issue yesterday with my step daughters car. Because she is going off to college I wanted it done right rather than my home plug so I took it to a local ma and pop tire guy that said he indeed would patch it. So I inquired about people not plugging anymore and he was kinda dumbfounded. Turned out the screw wasn't even long enough to go into the tire, was just basically stuck in the tread. So anyway now I'm wondering what's the deal between plugging or patching?

 

You won't find many (or any) shops that will plug a tire anymore. Patches are probably cheaper and easier for the shops to use/install.... and I'm sure there's some sort of liability issues. Nothing wrong with plugs..... if they're done right. We have plug kits at home and have done many tires with plugs.

I will say..... a patch is only good on the FLAT surfaces of the tire. If a shop tries to install a patch anywhere near the side of the tire, the tire will flex and pop the patch right off. I had a shop put a patch on a tire (many years ago) and they said...It'll be OK... as soon as I got home and installed the wheel and let the car down...PSsssssssssssssssssssssssssss..... I took that tire/wheel back to them and demanded they plug it!!!! Idiots....

 

Doesn't discount tire use plugs??

 

The issue I have heard about plugs on radials is that sometimes where it is plugged will seperate and end up with a blown tire. I think that is why a patch is the prefered method. Plugs will get you home and I have used them quite a few times without incident, but all it takes is one time, I reckon.

 

Issue with a plug is exactly following the same angle of the hole. Ever see a nail go in the tire absolutely straight?
I had a tire guy explain this to me while he sold me on a $20 patch over a $15 plug. Money well spent in my opinion.

 

Patch all the way. I don't trust a plug in a radial tire any farther than I can throw a truck by the tailpipe.

As to the comment about patches and sidewall flexing: sidewall punctures should not be repaired on highway tires. Damaged sidewalls are dangerous.

I'll fix a sidewall puncture in a low speed off road tire, but not an on highway tire.

 

you could always have the plug/ patch is two in one. the plug is attach to the patch we use it all the time.

 

I plugged a tire i punctured offroad. brought it into the shop i always have my tires installed and alignments done at. i know one of the managers and he's always gone above and beyond to help me out, but even he would not patch it for me, saying that plugging a tire risks tearing the belts in it, weakening that area, and therefore creating a liability issue if they were to try to fix it further. i understand what he's saying and can see that it could be an issue, however, if i need to plug a tire, i will still do so with confidence.

 

This is the biggest issue. I have seen a guy force the reamer tool into a hole that was definately not where he was trying to go with it. We removed the tire to patch it because we did not feel good about it, and on the inside we could see that he had missed the original nail hole by about 1/2".

 

It's a plugging patch.

It's a patch, but has a plug in the center.

Nothing on the sidewalls, no more than one plug/patch per quadrant, no more than 3 repairs total, and de-rate the tire's speed rating by one level.

 

Both. If the tire has some thing in it take it to les schwab and they will plug and patch it for free, if not its like 15 bucks

 

if i take it to a shop, i expect them to dismount the tire and patch it up. however, 90% of the time, i just plug it myself. i've never had an issue with leaks or anything of that sort.

 

Discount does plug/patch.

Section repair for sidewalls.