Discount tire plug-patch my run-flat.
Run-flat repair ?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 688
Likes: 107
From: Long Beach SoCal
Run-flat repair ?
Quick question, Can an original GY run-flat be repaired? I called Discount Tire and they told me no. I thought I read here they can. I have one that is reading "0" pressure. Thanks... 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow OK
Yes they can. It is recommended that you have them repaired using a plug-patch technique, which requires dismounting of the tire. I have even plugged them myself using only a standard plug.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 2
From: Clever, MO aka SOMO
I fixed mine a couple of times........back in the day before I got rid of them!! They're just tires!! Of course I don't pretend to be Parnelli Jones either and don't drive like him.........I'm just a cruiser and never had any problems. I wasn't worried about a failure at 170mph! 
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Chula Vista CA
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 14
From: Gig Harbor WA
You didn't say where the puncture was. If in the sidewall, maybe not. If in the tread, maybe yes, if the damage is small. It has to be physically inspected to get an honest opinion. If you just call and talk to a salesman, you'll get a sales pitch. Good luck.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
You have to be careful. If you utilized the "RUN FLAT" and drove a distance on the flat tire then the sides walls that make up the run flat option will be damaged and not operational and therefor should be replaced. If you got the flat OR came out and it was flat and you took it off the car and it is in the tread, then you should be fine with a plug.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
You can repair them as long as the puncture is small and in the tread area. Always use a plug-patch and have it done by a competent technician.
Usually though, GoodYear will not want you to drive the tire afterwards. I can only guess it is all about legal responsibility and all. I agree with an earlier post: It is only a tire and can be repaired.
Be careful and enjoy.
Usually though, GoodYear will not want you to drive the tire afterwards. I can only guess it is all about legal responsibility and all. I agree with an earlier post: It is only a tire and can be repaired.
Be careful and enjoy.
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As long as the puncture is not close to or on the sidewall, they can be repaired. I had several of mine plugged/patched and never had any other problems with them. If Discount Tire won't do it, go to a Goodyear dealer.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
GY has a procedure for repairing them. The original GY EMTs could be run with 0 pressure for 200 miles at 55 mph without damaging them. That is why they are so stiff. You have to go to a certified GY store to get the tires dismounted/mounted to get the repair done. Not all GY stores are certified to mount/dismount EMTs.
Bill
Bill
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Long Beach SoCal
Got it repaired
Thanks all, I took it to a certified GY shop and the nail was dead center on the tread. 50 bones later I was on my way. I probably still have about 10K worth of tread left, which was why I wanted to repair it. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: St. Peters MO
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GY has a procedure for repairing them. The original GY EMTs could be run with 0 pressure for 200 miles at 55 mph without damaging them. That is why they are so stiff. You have to go to a certified GY store to get the tires dismounted/mounted to get the repair done. Not all GY stores are certified to mount/dismount EMTs.
Bill
Bill
TO PROLONG TIRE LIFE DURING A SYSTEM ALERT:
The Goodyear Run-Flat EMT tire can be driven up to
50 miles (80 km) at sustained speeds of up to 55 mph (88 km/h)
at low or zero air pressure. However, the tire may have to be
replaced if driven to these limits. To help prolong the life of a
tire operating under low-inflation conditions, drive at a speed
as far below 55mph (88 km/h) as possible. Also, drive the
shortest distance possible before obtaining tire service. Taking
these precautions will increase the chance that your tire will
be repairable.50 miles (80 km) at sustained speeds of up to 55 mph (88 km/h)
at low or zero air pressure. However, the tire may have to be
replaced if driven to these limits. To help prolong the life of a
tire operating under low-inflation conditions, drive at a speed
as far below 55mph (88 km/h) as possible. Also, drive the
shortest distance possible before obtaining tire service. Taking
these precautions will increase the chance that your tire will
Last edited by 2K14C7; Dec 22, 2008 at 07:06 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 167
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
I plugged my rear runflat with two different nails (separate events) with auto store kit the last summer right before I replaced them (they were almost slick bald when I got the nails). I do mostly city driving, not much hwy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MO
I had a rear tire patched 3 times (a lot of construction in our area) at a certified GY shop, after the third patch I lost my Ultra-performance rating. No biggie. So enjoy your last 10K on the tire with no worries.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Gloucester City NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'10-'12
After recently replacing the LR (had a bolt hole in it) the RR had a small nail in it and I had it repaired but they really wanted to replace it, they say it has lost its speed rating but I still took it out onto the two tracks at the NJ motorsports track a few weeks ago and no problem.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,799
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Here is what Goodyear says:
be repairable.
TO PROLONG TIRE LIFE DURING A SYSTEM ALERT:
The Goodyear Run-Flat EMT tire can be driven up to
50 miles (80 km) at sustained speeds of up to 55 mph (88 km/h)
at low or zero air pressure. However, the tire may have to be
replaced if driven to these limits. To help prolong the life of a
tire operating under low-inflation conditions, drive at a speed
as far below 55mph (88 km/h) as possible. Also, drive the
shortest distance possible before obtaining tire service. Taking
these precautions will increase the chance that your tire will
The Goodyear Run-Flat EMT tire can be driven up to
50 miles (80 km) at sustained speeds of up to 55 mph (88 km/h)
at low or zero air pressure. However, the tire may have to be
replaced if driven to these limits. To help prolong the life of a
tire operating under low-inflation conditions, drive at a speed
as far below 55mph (88 km/h) as possible. Also, drive the
shortest distance possible before obtaining tire service. Taking
these precautions will increase the chance that your tire will
be repairable.
Here is a link to a Hib Halverson article about the C5 EMTs check the second paragraph. http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...Run+Flat+Facts
Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My 0.-2c
As Bill says, the original run flats were rated to 200 miles flat which is why the sidewalls are so flat and we all suffered from "tramlining". The recent EMTs are only good for 50 miles but ride better.
The originals can be repaired twice but only if theres no damage to the sidewall. I'd use the plug and patch method from inside the tire.
All that said, If I was thinking about any high speed driving I'd be thinking about a new tire quite soon. If its just for local driving <70 mph a repair would be just fine. I've had an EMT go flat on me and it was totally undramatic. Unlike the occasion when a non RF blew out at 70
As Bill says, the original run flats were rated to 200 miles flat which is why the sidewalls are so flat and we all suffered from "tramlining". The recent EMTs are only good for 50 miles but ride better.
The originals can be repaired twice but only if theres no damage to the sidewall. I'd use the plug and patch method from inside the tire.
All that said, If I was thinking about any high speed driving I'd be thinking about a new tire quite soon. If its just for local driving <70 mph a repair would be just fine. I've had an EMT go flat on me and it was totally undramatic. Unlike the occasion when a non RF blew out at 70
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Goodyear F1 EMTs can go 200 miles at 55 mph but it will need to be replaced, limited to 50 miles at 55 mph it can be repaired.
Michelin ZPs is just 50 miles at 55 mph.
Otherwise the tire is replaced.
Michelin ZPs is just 50 miles at 55 mph.
Otherwise the tire is replaced.
