Plug or Patch?

Almost all dealers and tire guys plug a flat tire. Almost all web sites by
Tire companies advise the user to pull off the tire and patch it from the
inside. Am I nuts trying to get it patched instead of plugged?

Richard.

 

The tire shop where I take my flat tire to always patches them on the inside
then they re-spin balance them. I remember when you could buy a 7.50 X 14
Goodyear whitewall tire for what they charge to patch/repair.

 

Because they are lazy.

Unless you have no other choice and need to get rolling again, always
patch instead of plug.

 

Patch is much better. Just don't expect them to do it for free, or the same
price they plug for. Some tire places around here will plug a tire free,
even if you don't buy all your tires there. It's good business, I think.

 

Plugging is illegal (at least in IL) and they must use a plug patch combo.
It's a single device (resembles a weird mushroom). PUll it through from the
inside and the patch portion and plug work as one unit.
Larry

 

Shop around. I know a place that will plug a tire for $5, but only charges
$12 to patch. The patch job includes re-balancing the tire.

 

Free is worth every penny you pay for it!

There is a new "plug/patch" that has a bulb on the end that does similar
work to the patch (prevents air from getting between the plies, while
the plug portion, with the rubber cement, vulcanizes the with the tread.

Can't be done with the same equipment or knowledge.

Dan

 

It depends....

If you have z rated tires or are likely to do hi speed driving then you
should have what's know as a patch n plug installed which is a combination
of plug and patch as the name implies. If your car is your basic grocery
getter and used primarily in commuting without sustained high speed driving
then a plug is fine as long as the hole isn't too big and the guy knows what
he's doing who is installing the plug. Most dealerships that I deal with
are shying away from the plugs due to liability issues and because so many
newer cars are equipped with higher speed rated tires and nobody can foresee
what a driver will subject the tires to. I personally plug my own tires and
have never had a problem, just be sure not to try to repair a hole on the
sidewall or of the tire has deformed or now rides rough or with any sort of
imbalance as this may indicate slipped belts or other internal damage.