I just got home after getting a hole in one of my rear winter tires (General Arctic somethings) that are almost brand new, less than 10k on them in 2 years.


Well I aired it up and found the leak almost dead in the middle tread, so its fixable.

But I havent had any tires repaired, but seeing this tire is so new I really dont want to replace it, but does having a patch job affect the tire at all? I dont want to be changing the tire in 2 foot of snow next time.....

If the hole is less than a pencil in size I'd get it patched with a patch on the inside.
I have had tires plugged before but they have not held. Inside is the only way to go in my book.
I do my own which is cheap to do. Know most places charge $15-20 to patch one but worth it...

[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 01-12-2010).]

What Dodgerunner said or put a tube in it.

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85 GT 3.4
14.9 @ 90 1.9 60' Old TH125/3.06
Unknown New 4T60/3.42

So if I took it up to discount tire, what will they do? the hole isnt that big, probably less than a pencil.

Tell them you want it fixed and ask which they use. They usually have two prices one for each method.
You make the choice.

[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 01-12-2010).]

I work part time at a auto repair and we do a lot of patches. I recommend the mushroom, it gives you both the plug and the patch in one. If it is done right it will not leak or affect the tire performance.

I've probably installed at least a dozen tire plugs over the years and never had one fail. As far as I'm concerned, if done properly to a typical "nail hole" type flat tire, it's a permanent repair.

i worked at hibdons tires plus for a few years after highschool and all we did was patch them. same at sams club. roughen up the smooth tire inside, slap glue spooge all over and paste a patch on it. some would light it on fire and others would place a lamp pointing at it for a few minutes or two and that set it in good. i dont remember any shroom patch butt plug thingy at hibdons. but i think we used the mushroom patch plug thingy mabobber at sams club.

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First LX9 Fiero GT, 1987 | My Fiero Fuel Economy | MPG Display for OBD I
Youtube Videos of My GT | modernize your fiero with technology!
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem
Fiero's are people too. We pay just as much attention to them, if not more than our loved ones
screw paying those bastards. im not going to become rich by paying for things.....

[This message has been edited by americasfuture2k (edited 01-13-2010).]

Patch, Plug and Mushroom shaped patch & plug. I have used them all. All work - I have never had an interior patch leak yet. Occassionly I have had plugs which develop a very minor leak.

Plugs are quick and easy to do - I have done them at the side of the road myself with out even taking the tire off. I carry a plug kit and 12V air compressor which runs of the cig ligther.

In my opinion an interior patch is the better long term choice. Interior patches means removing the tire from the car and in many cases taking it off the rim too. Unless you are really keen it's easier to get a tire shop, garage, Walmart, etc. to do this for you.

In short I look at it this way - if I'm paying some one to fix it I want an interior patch - If I'm doing myself I'm using a plug.

If my memory serves me correctly you don't want to put tube in a tubeless tire because possible serious heat build up issues and valve stem mounting (I could be wrong). Also I would think a tube would also be the same or more costly than the interior patch.

quote Originally posted by Fosgatecavy98: So if I took it up to discount tire, what will they do? the hole isnt that big, probably less than a pencil.

You should probably ask as they used to use mushroom patches, but times may have changed.

J.

I managed a firestone for a while and we only patched tires, plugging, though they do work and most of the time don't leak can break the cords causing a tire to seperate. so that's why we only patched them. since you have a new tire have it patched you also probably don't need the mushroom thing just a patch unless you have a huge hole in it.

My 2 Cents
Ant

wscott is right. Between my shop and working at my brothers shop throught college I have pluged thousands of tires(Probably more).
DO NOT USE A TUBE IN A RADIAL!! VERY VERY BAD!!

A hole close to the center can be easily plugged ,,just do a proper job ,, follow directions..The tire remove and patch is superior for a nail hole or small screw hole..
Most tire stores no longer use heat patch which is mandatory on larger hole
a tire piston pump inflator and plug kit make a good lite weight substitute for the spare giving additional storage room,,do not for get something to remove nail which may not have a head

[This message has been edited by uhlanstan (edited 01-13-2010).]

I am a fan of the mushroom plugs. It is the only thing I will use on motorcycle tires.

gene

quote Originally posted by Fosgatecavy98: So if I took it up to discount tire, what will they do? the hole isnt that big, probably less than a pencil.

If you're referring to the Discount Tire Co. that's affiliated with America's Tire Co., they will repair it free of charge. The procedure we follow involves a plug and a separate patch.