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Today, I woke up to a lower psi tire, I thought it was because I haven't drove the car in a day or so, and the fluctuation of temperature caused the TPMS to go off. It was ~29 psi, vs all the rest was about 33-34 psi.
I've checked that tire and found there was a nail in it... fml right?
Went to the nearest shop (one that my dad usually goes to), and they used the plug method to fill the hole.
Is this still safe to drive as a DD? Anyone have experience with a plug-fix tire?
I know there a patches/patch-plug which are more advanced option...
At about three thousand miles the dealer found a nail in my tire. They said it was too near the sidewall and could not be repaired. I went to an auto parts store and bought a plug kit. If the tire really was too far gone and the plug didn't fix it, all I would be out was the few bucks I paid for the plug kit, and then I would replace the tire. The plug has been working perfectly for another thirty thousand miles.
At about three thousand miles the dealer found a nail in my tire. They said it was too near the sidewall and could not be repaired. I went to an auto parts store and bought a plug kit. If the tire really was too far gone and the plug didn't fix it, all I would be out was the few bucks I paid for the plug kit, and then I would replace the tire. The plug has been working perfectly for another thirty thousand miles.
That's great to hear. Glad you had success with plugs and also a DIY!
I paid $15 for this job, and the guy seems very genuine as well. I do hope its not one of those "you get for what you paid for" situations tho.
Guess I just need to monitor this tire/psi for the next few days/weeks for any leaks.
Checked in the morning and the PSI is the same as I have left it ~36 at cold start. Putted around town and went as high as ~38 psi in CA summer weather (80ish degrees).
Snapped a pic, and the plug looks a bit nasty -- is this normal?
I must have had 30 plugs with different cars.
Never had a problem. Looks normal too.
But, with my last Infiniti vehicle, the tire shop
“regulations” were that a patch was required
for a simple nail,regardless of its position.
I took it to my Infiniti dealer and they plugged it free.
I guess tire shops don’t make much profit on plugs
and may also fear some lability.
I am curious what my Lexus dealer will do next time I get
a nail.
I must have had 30 plugs with different cars.
Never had a problem. Looks normal too.
But, with my last Infiniti vehicle, the tire shop
“regulations” were that a patch was required
for a simple nail,regardless of its position.
I took it to my Infiniti dealer and they plugged it free.
I guess tire shops don’t make much profit on plugs
and may also fear some lability.
I am curious what my Lexus dealer will do next time I get
a nail.
Yeah, I have read that nowadays most shops will only do patches or patch-plugs, which cost ~$40-50 and requires unmounting the tire and patching the hole in the linings. Also would take 45 min- 1 hour for this type of job.
I used to work at a Lexus dealer back in 2016-17, and they do not do just plugs on customer cars.
Yeah, I have read that nowadays most shops will only do patches or patch-plugs, which cost ~$40-50 and requires unmounting the tire and patching the hole in the linings. Also would take 45 min- 1 hour for this type of job.
I used to work at a Lexus dealer back in 2016-17, and they do not do just plugs on customer cars.
will the Lexus dealer do a patch? Not concerned about the cost.
I would prefer that only the dealer handles my car.
That's great to hear. Glad you had success with plugs and also a DIY!
I paid $15 for this job, and the guy seems very genuine as well. I do hope its not one of those "you get for what you paid for" situations tho.
Guess I just need to monitor this tire/psi for the next few days/weeks for any leaks.
You should hope you do get what you paid for.
I paid about seven dollars for my patch kit, and so far it's lasted thirty thousand miles. You paid twice as much, so you should get twice the mileage.
I got a screw in almost the exact same spot of my rear-passenger side tire a while ago. Calling the first few tire shops they all insisted on a plug + patch only for ~$50, but when I talked to my trusted mechanic, he confidently stood behind the plug repair method. I decided to take on the challenge by doing it myself with a ~$6 Slime kit, and ~2.5k miles later (including some long road trips and 'spirited' mountain driving in Colorado), no issues to be found! We get bitter cold winters in Missouri, though, so I'll continue keeping an eye on it, but am told not to expect any issues.
Need Inputs: Plug fixing a Tire
