I picked up a screw in my rear right tire last night apparently. Screw is about the length of my pinky finger....so pretty fuckin' big.

Took it to the tire store to see if they could patch it. They patched it and threw it in (basically) a large bucket of water. Proceeded to tell me the patch wasn't sufficient as it was still leaking air. I took a look. Small bubbles were coming out of the patch area......very, very slowly. I was told I needed a new tire.

Is this something that would have stabilized? Were they basically just trying to sell me another tire? I trusted them as the screw is quite large.

RFTs are fucking expensive at about $380 with labor and I wanted to see if next time I should just settle for a questionable patch job. This is the second nail I've picked up. I fucking hate run flats. Yes, I will be removing the RFTs next go round.

1/17/2013 3:21:21 PM

fuck run flats

yes, you more than likely have to get a new tire

but not necessarily a run flat

1/17/2013 3:42:58 PM

For $380, just add a little more and get a set of non run flat Hankooks.

1/17/2013 3:44:14 PM

if you have an LSD, get a pair of non run flats

1/17/2013 3:47:24 PM

If a patch fails then why not try a plug (or two if the hole is too big for 1)?

I caught 2 nails, the holes were side-by-side and connected (basically a mix between an oval and 8-shape). I got it patched nearby the incident but I lost 15 psi overnight. I've been running about 5k miles on two side-by-side plugs and haven't lost any air yet.

[Edited on January 17, 2013 at 4:35 PM. Reason : basically it only costs like $5 to try]

1/17/2013 4:33:18 PM

plugs are not 'permanent' fixes.

1/17/2013 6:09:28 PM

it's a run flat

just drive on it

1/17/2013 6:57:34 PM

i've been running with a plug in my f-150 tire for about 15k miles no issues yet and i've had some serious weight in the bed, enough to bottom out the suspension

1/17/2013 6:57:39 PM

Quote :

"plugs are not 'permanent' fixes."

Tires aren't permanent, either.

Plug that shit and enjoy your ride.

1/17/2013 7:45:28 PM

it's not 'recommended'.


guys, come on, we're in the garage. Do as I say, not as I do.


I too have fixed a leak with a plug.

1/17/2013 8:12:08 PM

best investment i ever made was getting my run flats insured for $10/month.

It's been about 4 years and I've had 8-9 free tires out of it for like $480.

3 were my girlfriends fault for hitting a 2x4 or something in the road at like 50-60 mph and popping 3 of them, the rest i assume i pick up in the emergency lanes when i'm passing stopped i40 traffic

1/17/2013 8:27:37 PM

i swear to shit RFTs have magnets inside them

1/17/2013 10:23:43 PM

it was a happy day when I found out the salesman at performance bmw either lied or didn't know what he was talking about and we did not in fact have RFTs on our 530xit.

1/18/2013 12:18:42 PM

+1 to plug. if they know what they're doing and don't rush it, a plug can fix a pretty nasty hole. easily a screw hole.

1/18/2013 12:36:51 PM

Quote :

"plugs are not 'permanent' fixes."

worked for me for 30K+ miles

1/18/2013 1:36:08 PM

+eleventybillion for "plug" it.

I grew up working in my dad's tire store and I bet we've plugged 20,000 or more tires over the course of about 19 years. I bet we've only had about 5 or 10 come back ever that was still leaking.

Typically, if it's holding air when it's put back on the car, it's good to go. And yes, we've used double-plugs when needed. We warn the customer, but honestly havent had any issues.

(We're a used-tire wholesaler as well....so we get a good share of tires in that have nails in them. We plug them, sell them, and everyone's happy. We do offer a warranty, but it's rarely needed).


[Edited on January 18, 2013 at 3:24 PM. Reason : .]

1/18/2013 3:21:56 PM

Quote :

"fuck run flats"

1/18/2013 3:51:22 PM

Plugs- keep belts separated
Patches-bond rubber together

1/21/2013 6:59:40 PM

Quote :

"plugs are not 'permanent' fixes."

Perhaps not. I tried to patch my motorcycle tire TWICE and both times failed. I then plugged it and it's been going strong for the last 6k miles.

I've never had issues patching a car tire, but this was my first experience patching a motorcycle tire.

As easy as it is to plug a tire vs patch, I'll definitely suggest plugging first.

[Edited on January 21, 2013 at 7:22 PM. Reason : .]

1/21/2013 7:20:10 PM

If I pick up a nail, I normally run to walmart and get my plug refill pack for the plug tools I already have.

Screw using a patch, until the plug doesn't work.

1/21/2013 8:04:17 PM

My guess is that they probably used a plug/patch, anyway, and if it's still fucked after that, it's probably actually fucked.

____

I have plugged many a tire and kept driving on it like nothing ever happened. I don't plug motorcycle tires, and wouldn't track a plugged tire, but other than that, I view them as a permanent fix (unless they don't seal the leak).

1/21/2013 8:58:12 PM

over the years I have found plugs to be extremely reliable

1/21/2013 10:55:19 PM

between a truck, a tandem axle trailer, and two mowers, i used to plug a tire every week

1/21/2013 11:17:03 PM

Honestly depends on compound of tire in most cases. Hell monster trucks have plugs in tires. I've seen up to 12 in one hole.

1/21/2013 11:21:57 PM

Run flats are great for one reason. That is for driving for a long distance with little to no air. Insure the tires and you will get a new one with no problem. Great investment for someone with the money.

1/21/2013 11:25:17 PM

I don't think I'd call it a "great investment". Tire companies don't sell warranties out of charity; like any insurance product, you're deferring/pooling risk at, on average, a financial cost.

1/21/2013 11:58:25 PM

Quote :

"That is for driving for a long distance with little to no air. "

Actually you're not supposed to drive more than 50 miles on it, and at a reduced speed (I believe). And then if you find a tire place within that 50 miles they probably won't have the same tire. So then you throw on something else because you have to. And then a bit later on when you can you get the correct tire.

In other words run flats suck ass.

1/22/2013 8:24:31 AM

I've hardly carried a spare in...8 years? 9 years? No run flats, either.

I think the only time I've had one was for the 18 months or so that I had my Evo, and periodically in my 2nd S2000 (though most of the time I kept it removed to free up trunk space, as made long trips routinely that necessitated it).

1/22/2013 9:21:23 PM

Quote :

"Run flats are great for one reason. Women drivers. That is for driving for a long distance with little to no air. Insure the tires and you will get a new one with no problem. Great investment for someone with the money."

FTFY

1/23/2013 4:56:07 PM

Hell, my car comes factory equipped with neither RFTs nor a spare...just a portable air compressor and a bottle of slime, haha.

[Edited on January 24, 2013 at 12:11 AM. Reason : ]

1/24/2013 12:11:13 AM

Quote :

"Quote : "That is for driving for a long distance with little to no air. " Actually you're not supposed to drive more than 50 miles on it, and at a reduced speed In other words run flats suck ass. 1/22/2013 8:24:31 AM "

[Edited on January 25, 2013 at 8:49 PM. Reason : Depends on how you look at it. Pros and cons eitherway]

1/25/2013 8:48:22 PM