Is is safe to plug a run flat?
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,876
Likes: 8
From: Las Vegas NV
St. Jude Donor '06 & '12
Originally Posted by TomT
I have a nail in the tread and am loosing a couple pounds a week. Should I have it plugged or get it patched?
But, DO NOT run at high speeds. When you plug/patch one of these tires, it eliminates the Z rating of the tire. Therefore, turning it into a 85mph passenger car tire. I would only do this as a temporary fix until you aquire a new tire.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 21,016
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From: Galveston... well, Santa Fe Texas
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Donor '03 & '06
Originally Posted by AMERICAN_HP
Is it safe to plug/patch and drive at "Normal" highway speeds?? YES..
But, DO NOT run at high speeds. When you plug/patch one of these tires, it eliminates the Z rating of the tire. Therefore, turning it into a 85mph passenger car tire. I would only do this as a temporary fix until you aquire a new tire.
But, DO NOT run at high speeds. When you plug/patch one of these tires, it eliminates the Z rating of the tire. Therefore, turning it into a 85mph passenger car tire. I would only do this as a temporary fix until you aquire a new tire.
My father-in-law owns a tire shop, and he plugged mine for me (not run-flats though)
the plugs he uses say they are fine for high-speed tires(don't know the brand/type)
see what your tire shop says.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by AMERICAN_HP
Is it safe to plug/patch and drive at "Normal" highway speeds?? YES..
But, DO NOT run at high speeds. When you plug/patch one of these tires, it eliminates the Z rating of the tire. Therefore, turning it into a 85mph passenger car tire. I would only do this as a temporary fix until you aquire a new tire.
But, DO NOT run at high speeds. When you plug/patch one of these tires, it eliminates the Z rating of the tire. Therefore, turning it into a 85mph passenger car tire. I would only do this as a temporary fix until you aquire a new tire.
Do a search on this. Plugged and patched per Goodyear's requirements maintains the speed rating.
Here, I did the search for you: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...t&forum_id=103
And here's what the device looks like:
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 21,016
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From: Galveston... well, Santa Fe Texas
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Donor '03 & '06
Originally Posted by EHS
Not correct.
Do a search on this. Plugged and patched per Goodyear's requirements maintains the speed rating.
Here, I did the search for you: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...t&forum_id=103
And here's what the device looks like:
Do a search on this. Plugged and patched per Goodyear's requirements maintains the speed rating.
Here, I did the search for you: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...t&forum_id=103
And here's what the device looks like:
http://www.techtirerepairs.com/
The product is called Uni-Seal.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by TomT
I have a nail in the tread and am loosing a couple pounds a week. Should I have it plugged or get it patched?
To answer your question - you can do either, but many of us only use a plug to get us home and then we go to the tire place and have the plug replaced with a patch.
IMHO there is less chance that a patch will wokr its way out than a plug.
As regard to speed ratings:
I have read that you can only patch/plug your tire 3 times before it is considered to be a danger. I also read that each patch/plug lowers your speed rating by 1 level. I believe this is a safety measure by the tire companies.
I have 1 tire patched for over 1 year now and the car still runs exactly the same.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
... As regard to speed ratings:
I have read that you can only patch/plug your tire 3 times before it is considered to be a danger. I also read that each patch/plug lowers your speed rating by 1 level. I believe this is a safety measure by the tire companies....
I have read that you can only patch/plug your tire 3 times before it is considered to be a danger. I also read that each patch/plug lowers your speed rating by 1 level. I believe this is a safety measure by the tire companies....
Can you patch a Runflat Tire
Short answer:YES
...Repairing your EMT run flat tire:
A Goodyear or Kelly - Springfield manufactured speed - rated tire may be repaired to correct a commonly repairable nail hole punture in the tread are ONLY. Proper materials and procedures must be applied. INCORRECT OR IMPROPER REPAIR WILL RESULT IN THE TIRE NO LONGER BEING SPEED - RATED BY GOODYEAR, and the warranty may also be affected. Tire speed 130 mph (210 km/h) and over (H,V,W,Y,Z) symbols. Only one repair is sugested, to maintain speed-rating, with a Max. repair diameter of 1/4 in. (6mm).
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 108
From: Ocala, Fl. State of Confusion
Thanks for all the replies.
I was wondering if plugging the run flat would be OK.
I don't see any adverse problems with doing so and, by your comments, have not read any, so, I got it plugged.
Since I rarely go over 90, I think that it will be alright.
I was wondering if plugging the run flat would be OK.
I don't see any adverse problems with doing so and, by your comments, have not read any, so, I got it plugged.
Since I rarely go over 90, I think that it will be alright.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceburg KY
About a year ago i had a nail in my back runflat on the side up next to the tread line so i put in just a normal tire plug...and i have put about 12000 miles on it .and run it at the track many times...12.80 112 miles per hour and it has never leaked any air so far... 
.....DONT FOR GET THEIR CALLED ""RUN FLAT"" FOR A REASON!!!!!!!I DROVE MINE 50 MILES FLAT..AND IT DID NOT HURT IT AT ALL!!!!!PS I HAVE ""KUMHO""TIRES..
.....DONT FOR GET THEIR CALLED ""RUN FLAT"" FOR A REASON!!!!!!!I DROVE MINE 50 MILES FLAT..AND IT DID NOT HURT IT AT ALL!!!!!PS I HAVE ""KUMHO""TIRES..
Last edited by brake dust; Jan 3, 2006 at 06:17 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Bartlett IL
The ony things you have to look out for is pluged side walls are a 
and a problem that "can" occur is with the hole in the tire it leaves the steel belts exposed. Watter will wick up into the belts and cause rust and blisters and/or a cord to slip or break. I too have run pluged tires at stupid speeds with out a blowout. It's still not a good idea at race speeds. Hwy speeds on runflats you will be ok. Jus make sure to check them occasionaly, espicaly if you feel a vibration.
and a problem that "can" occur is with the hole in the tire it leaves the steel belts exposed. Watter will wick up into the belts and cause rust and blisters and/or a cord to slip or break. I too have run pluged tires at stupid speeds with out a blowout. It's still not a good idea at race speeds. Hwy speeds on runflats you will be ok. Jus make sure to check them occasionaly, espicaly if you feel a vibration.
