Patched tire?

[EUROBORA8V]

I am very lucky on getting screws into my tires

I have 10000 miles on my Pirelli PZERO NERO. I dont drive hard at all so my tires are stlll new. Pirelli tend to last if you drive it propely. I've got a screw into one of them and it can easily be patched. Just Tires is where i got them is willing to patch it for free.

The question in mind is whether it is safe? I am planning to AutoX this summer and i've heard that i should replace it if i am planning to see the track.

Whats is your input?

[StormChaser]

Patch from the inside and I'd feel fine about it...but NO plugs...

[Surf Green]

I know of a few plugged tires that see track use.

Those booger strings are almost better than the tire itself.

[EUROBORA8V]

Great, thanks for response.

I guess as long as i am not doing a highspeed run in Nardo Italy

[aethelwulf]

Quote, originally posted by EUROBORA8V »

Great, thanks for response. I guess as long as i am not doing a highspeed run in Nardo Italy

The biggest thing is to make sure they remove the tire when they fix it. It really should have an internal patch, but more importantly it should be checked for runflat damage that might not otherwise be apparent. You don't want to be riding around on a tire that's had its innerliner shredded.

[Mr. Tarmac]

Have them repair the tire by dismounting it and have them use a "plug patch". It is the best repair method, and combines the best of both a patch and a plug. You should be fine for auto-x use. I may re-consider if you are going to be doing high speed track days that will see sustained high speed loading.

[SleeperPrelude]

At my last dealership we routinely used a patch/plug that went in from the inside and had a plug attached that went through a bored out hole where the object was. I don't recall ever having a comeback on one. I wouldn't worry if it was one of those patches.

[TurboWraith]

Quote, originally posted by SleeperPrelude »

At my last dealership we routinely used a patch/plug that went in from the inside and had a plug attached that went through a bored out hole where the object was. I don't recall ever having a comeback on one. I wouldn't worry if it was one of those patches.

Thats what we used when I was working as a tire jocky at wally world while I was in school. Never had one come back after I did the work on it. Usually takes about 20 minutes or so cause you have to knock the tire off the wheel, do the repair, and rebalance before its ready to go. I wouldn't be scared of driving on one.

[sperkins]

i would get an employee at the dealership to check it out.

[German Toys]

plugs and patches have always proven to be fine in my experiences. I have heard of some with multiple plugs and or patches and lasted until the tread was worn.

I see no reason why it would become unsafe under track use, street driving depending on how and where you live is pretty tough as it is.

[AZGolf]

Quote, originally posted by Surf Green »

I know of a few plugged tires that see track use. Those booger strings are almost better than the tire itself.

Yeah, I never mentioned it to the tech inspector, but I autocrossed on a plugged street tire a few times myself. That was with the puncture between treadblocks however. If it were in a treadblock or on an R tire, I would definitely patch, not plug the tire. Still, I would not hesitate to autocross on a patched tire. Open Track? Maybe a little hesitation, but there's still a physical limit as to how quickly the air can leak out, even with total failure of the patch. It's not like the tire will just detonate if the patch fails, your grip will just get worse and worse from one turn to the next, which should be a red flag that something has gone wrong.

[bubba_sideways]

I wouldn't bother autocrossing.

Problem solved!

[mgyip]

As mentioned, it's a non-issue for autocross OR track use provided that the hole is patched properly with the plug/patch inserted from the inside out.

I've road raced on a patched tyre which lasted a full life and died due to tread loss and old age.

[timsvr]

bumping this back up... what about patching a stretched tire? stupid question?

[VdubChaos]

I always plugged my tires and never had a problem...

[leaftye]

I've gone over 170 mph, verified on gps, on patched tires.

Quote, originally posted by timsvr »

bumping this back up... what about patching a stretched tire? stupid question?

Stretched tires are always a dumb idea.

[VR6GTI72]

Always patch, never plug.

3 patch maximum

Ive patched streched tires it was fine as long as its not near the sidewall.

[08-Jetta]

I just plugged - from the outside in - a tire in 2 places about 30 minutes ago. Am I going to hell?

[MK39920]

I average one or two patches a year in my car never had a problem.

Quote, originally posted by sperkins »

i would get an employee at the dealership to check it out.

Why? you mean the tire dealer right?

[tyrantanic]

I had a large screw taken out of a tire, they took the tire off, cleaned the inside, roughed it up a bit, put the patch on that had a plug that went completely through the hole, glued it with whatever they used, and cut off the excess on the other side.

He mentioned if it were any more to the side he wouldn't have been able to patch it on the sidewall. Also mentioned it's probably stronger now w/ the patch.

[VR6GTI72]

Quote, originally posted by 08-Jetta »

I just plugged - from the outside in - a tire in 2 places about 30 minutes ago. Am I going to hell?

yes.

They work, just not as well as a patch. Seems to be a little more of a crap shoot on the long term reliability with plugs.