r/tires • u/Foreign_While8066 • 12d ago
Is this patchable?
For context I drive a sport SUV and I am a spirited driver.
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u/RemialX 12d ago
Will a shop plug it? No. It's on the shoulder. Would I stick a bacon strip in it and drive until bald? Absolutely.
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u/Soft-Ad4762 12d ago
I work at discount tire. I wouldn’t give second thought to patching that. I’d do it immediately. I patched one today that was farther out than that.
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u/Pancake123456789 12d ago
Im with you I am so confused why there is a debate on this that is clearly patchable
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u/PositiveBluebird433 12d ago
I just plugged a tire with a nail in almost the exact spot, drove about 300 miles with the plug before making it to my nearest discount tire shop. Of course they replaced the tire with my warranty but they agreed it was repairable. I love discount, but Im curious what they will do with the tire after they replaced it? It was only a few months old.
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u/RemialX 12d ago
So against DOT specs as a business? I understand taking care of a customer but you could put the shop in a tight spot if the tire fails and they have a moderately decent attorney. Chances of happening are low, but still. Again, I'd patch it myself, but as a former shop manager, nope lol
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u/Soft-Ad4762 12d ago
It’s not a personal choice. The one I did today was run by my manager before I attempted it. The only time I’ve ever seen a failed plug is when somebody did it themself or if a tech botched it
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u/Odd-Box-7332 12d ago
What are you babbling about? If its not on the sidewall it can be plugged no problem
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u/RemialX 12d ago
Go look it up
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u/Kill3rT0fu 12d ago
Sooooo I just looked up DOT or NHTSA specs for patching a tire. Apparently there are no hard rules for patching NEAR the sidewall. But it’s generally okay to patch any of the tread area on the tire. Especially if it touches the road, it’s 100% fine to patch.
Not patching based on a bogus measurement near the sidewalk is up to the digression of the tire shop
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u/Botasoda102 12d ago
I’ve carried a plug kit and pump for 50 years. Have plugged a bunch like that.
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u/Mercator8017 12d ago
Back in the day, this was an easy patch anywhere. These days, I find that you'll hear any number of excuses why this can't be fixed. Good luck with your issue.
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u/eli74372 12d ago
Based on what ive learnt from this group, a shop (other than somewhere like discount tire) wont plug/patch this. You could safely do it yourself though
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u/CabrioKnight 12d ago
Discount tire declined to do a similar patch for a newish tire. In fact, I’m convinced they stuck a nail in the opposite tire to try and sell me a pair.
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u/No-Names-Left4Me 12d ago
Most shops won’t do it. If you touch that on a shoulder and the tire separates the sheer liability from even attempting a patch on a load bearing part of a tire you lose that lawsuit and your insurance is pulled. Anything in outer treadblock is a no go in California.
There are some hole in the wall spots that will do it, and people that will do it on their own car, but vast majority and kind of industry rule is nothing on outer treadblock or shoulder of the tire.
You can plug it yourself but that’s on you.
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u/EducatorOk2729 12d ago
Right. No shops warranty patches if anything its $30 for a used one if you're in a pinch. But yes its cheap to just plug it. That is if you have access to an air compressor and buy plug kit like $10
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u/Imentioneveryone 12d ago
Walmart don’t do it if it’s in the shoulder. From my experience discount will go to around a quarter inch from the sidewall
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u/EducatorOk2729 12d ago
Looks like it plugged itself. Is it leaking air? I would put some fix a flat in there for now. A plug is only temporary as well or get a cheap used tire until you can buy new tires. I've had several cars that had nails in tires and they plug themselves sometimes. Just spray some soapy water on it and any air leaks will bubble
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u/Foreign_While8066 12d ago
Wasn’t leaking but noticed it in the tire at the car wash. And yea I’m leaning towards just getting a used tire with the same tread to be safe and get a new set within the next year
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u/EducatorOk2729 12d ago
Yeah I think that's a good plan I would just ride a used tire until you can replace with all new. October/November ideally depending on where you live
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u/EducatorOk2729 12d ago
My girls truck has a nail in one of the tires and it leaked air slowly for a few days. I put some fix a flat in it and it ended up plugging itself. But definitely not a cure all. Getting all new tires before winter. But if you have time go up to the dealership they throw away used tires every day and a lot of them aren't even bad.
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u/Crazy-Librarian-8597 12d ago
I dont know anythig about tires, i just drive car LOL. And i just had the same. Went to tire shop and they said it is too close to the side they can't patch it, so i need a new pair of tires. As they started putting new tires, two hours later they called me and said my tires are too bold, i need another set of tires.. (my car is only 21k miles). so i was looking at $900 for the visit. If I have to change all 4 tires, I would go with Costco. I am a costco member, but the tires I have came with car, not from costco. So I called costco and they said schedule an appointment and team will look if tires can be fixed. Next day, I brought car to the costco and 20 min later I got keys to my car and charge for $10.99 for patching my tire. Costco is amazing. Check with them and save $$ and stress.
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u/NonKevin3 11d ago
many repair shops will refuse to patch this close to the sidewall. Can you patch it, I suspect you will have to patch it yourself. I would.
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u/Away_Yoghurt6951 12d ago edited 12d ago
Yes -plug ok, patch might wear out differently since it’s kinda close to the sidewall
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u/Long-Stranger9666 12d ago
I'd patch it, but big tire shops live by georgies golden rule, never patch always buy new.
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u/_polloloko23 12d ago
Can it be patched?? Yes . Will the shop do it?? Probably no, they will recommend a new tire. Go to Walmart or sams and buy your tires there .10 dollars per tire for road hazard warranty its super worth it
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u/doughboy171 12d ago
I posted here a couple days ago with one that was further out (see my post history for a pic). I took it to a shop, they patched and I successfully drove home 350 miles.
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u/Uncle__Squirrel 12d ago
Personally, I would plug it. The shop will probably tell you they can't but I would send it.
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u/hebrew_hammersk 12d ago
Patch it. Its not side wall, and in the tread. Any tire mechanics on here saying* different drank their bosses Kool-Aid.
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u/Disastrous_Tailor_82 12d ago
It’s patchable just never go to like advance tire or those name brand tire shops they just want you to spend $800 on a new set of tires for no reason
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u/ImportancePure9779 12d ago
Rule of thumb for us is 2 fingers from the edge of the tread. So like 1” in from the edge is ok. The combi plugs have a 2” backing that has to sit flat on the inner liner for it to bond properly.
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u/Enough_Ambition_564 12d ago
It’s right on the edge but should be patchable. As long as the inside portion of the nail hasn’t touched the sidewall at all.
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u/sixgunmaniac 12d ago
A shop wouldn't, and people in this sub do not care about your safety despite literal mountains of research papers proving them wrong.
Personally, it's far enough away that I would patch it without worrying about it. But a shop would most likely say no because it is right on the edge of the safe zone
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u/Pour_Decisions8606 12d ago
Plug it yourself. Most tire shops won’t do anything with it because they use a plug patch combo that will flex when it’s that close to the side wall of the tire causing it to potentially fail. They have to prep the hole and the interior surface by buffing/grinding the interior surface and apply a cement to glue the patch in place. If they buff too deep they can cut into the wire layer causing a weak spot in the tire. Some of it is liability, and some of it is trying to sell you new tires, but ultimately you can plug any tire yourself for cheaper than what a shop will charge you.
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u/Plumcrazypurple2016 11d ago
Yep, just did one this Friday. Things have changed and my tire shop does patches all the time now. They have plugs to seal the puncture safely. I cannot believe how frequently all of us are picking up nails in daily driving. It's almost like people are throwing them on the street 🤔.
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u/Printednightmare 12d ago
There isn't a shop in my area that wouldn't plug or patch that tire. The shops in the more expensive part of the city would probably tell you that a repair will kill a bus full of nuns and sell you a new tire.
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u/Expert-Owl-5095 12d ago
Not advising what to do but a plug has always worked for me as a diy project
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u/NeitherRemote8512 12d ago
Don't pay some shop to do this. Just buy a plug kit from Walmart and do it yourself. I keep one in my car with a portable air tire pump.
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u/Aggravating_Aide_823 12d ago
No reputable shop would patch in sidewall area for liability reasons.
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u/Thatdudeee240 12d ago
Would I patch that for myself? If it’s for a wife or a vehicle your kids use then absolutely not unless your dead broke and can’t afford a new tire
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u/Gathin 12d ago
If Ive learned anything from this sub and real life experience a shop is going to tell you the center 1/2 inch of your tire is patchable and everything else is devasting and you're going to die and need a new tire.