Plugging a tire - one for the mechanics

**Greebo** · 07-15-2008, 10:16 AM

Ok - so my SUV with the $225 tires got a roofing nail in the corner of the tire where the sidewall meets the tread.

I took it to Merchant, and they can't patch it cause of its location, but the guy said I could get it plugged and use it as a spare. Cheap.

My concern is - how reliable is a tire plug? I know I could do it myself, but can I trust it as a spare tire? (It's full sized) Or would it be substantially safer to buy a new tire, at 10x the cost of plugging?

I want to believe plugging is safe, but if it is, why won't the big chains do it?

**Moor** · 07-15-2008, 10:22 AM

ok. i have plugged tires many times. but it all depends on the location of where the plug needs to go.
because of where your plug is going to be located, most places won't do it. but, you can. and the guy is giving you sound advise. use that tire as a spare.
but this is MHO. btw, i have three brothers who would tell you the same thing. all are all mechanics.

**Russ** · 07-15-2008, 10:27 AM

Moor is correct. But I would use it as a temporary spare only. Not a long term switch.
why the big chains won't do it- liability is my best guess.

**leezza** · 07-15-2008, 11:31 AM

Greebo,

I worked at a tire shop for a few years back in the day....anyway, My boss wouldn't plug tires and he wouldn't work on a tire that had been plugged...... He would only do the inside patches.

JMHO,
leezza

**santoria** · 07-15-2008, 11:36 AM

I've used a plug before.

my brother did it for me, he's a mechanic. I now have that as the spare, it held until I could afford the new tire.

**TexasPeanut** · 07-15-2008, 02:14 PM

Location, location, location is absolutely correct when it comes to plugging tires. Usually if it's on the sidewall closer to the rim it might not be such a good idea, any other place is fine really for short term. My hubby is a mechanic and I've have one of my tires on my car plugged near the tread for over a year now it's still going strong. But that may not always be the case. I would think it would be fine for a spare for the short term until you replaced it. Spares will lose air over time and simply start to dry rot near the treads if never used. IMO plug it, spare it, when you can replace it.