Were I running the tire to it's fullest limit of capability, yes, I would agree with you but how many of us "Use" the "ZR" rating on our times as a normal usage? I have a feeling the average user on here uses less than the "ZR"

L 75 mph 120 km/h Off-Road & Light Truck Tires
M 81 mph 130 km/h Temporary Spare Tires
N 87 mph 140km/h
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.

W 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of these tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.

225/50ZR16 in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h
205/45ZR17 88W 168 mph, 270 km/h
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h

Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parentheses, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:

285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h
285/35ZR19 (99Y) in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h


I'm betting "H" or "V" is plenty and the patched tire would still be way above that rating.

Just my $.02


Elmer

 

Elmer, so ours are "Y" rated? The full tire description for a rear Z51 tire from Discount Tire is: P285/30ZR20 95YRF B

 

Like Elmer said, this is only going to be a "potential" issue at very high speeds, which most of you will not see. In the end, if it's really that concerning, replacing the tire is only true 100% safe solution.

 

Very repairable professionally with a combo plug & patch. Discount will probably do it for free and definitely for free if you are in their computer network as a past customer at any location. And if you replace the tire, nothing to say it won't get nailed again next week.

 

well, actually even thats not 100%--nothing in life is, other than non-life. you could be heading along at 60 mph, have a blow out for some reason on a brand new tire, and curtains. its all about playing the odds.

 

IMO, Buy a tire plug kit and do it yourself. In my years of experience at a dealership I haven't seen a failure whether a tire was patched from the inside or just plugged from the outside. I think a lot of people get a little to uptight about this tire repair thing. Patching from the inside would be preferable if you can find someone you can trust. I have no idea why your Chevy dealer said they wouldn't recommend repairing it. Lack of skill, maybe?

 

 

Patch it or plug it... Very easy quick fix... The tire is to new to throw away.. LOTS of life left in it.

I'm always picking up screws and nails in my tires... I always just plug them (I got a tire plug kit from Autozone). At one time last year I had 3 tires with plugs in them . Seems like wide tires are a magnet for screws & nails.

 

That puncture should be repairable. Plug and patch method works well.

 

Considering pretty much every manufacturer suggests only properly repairing from the inside, I have to respectfully disagree.

Just because someone has plugged a tire and it was fine proves nothing really. Maybe it was luck or maybe it was OK but you don't know. This isn't about being uptight... it is about properly caring for one of the most important parts of the car from a safety perspective. This could be true even for spirited back road driving IMO. If Michelin says it is OK to patch on the inside, then that is the only answer... otherwise, the OP would be taking a chance on a plug simply because someone else didn't have a problem in their experience.

From TireRack ... "Any repair attempted without removing the tire from the wheel is improper."

And a link to their website... http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=77

I cannot understand arguing with the experts on this one when safety is a factor (regardless of personal experience)... why even play games when it is just so easy to do it right? Local shops everywhere do it for such little money that it makes no sense to plug it yourself.

 

It's easy until you get your car back with a cracked rocker panel or scratched wheel or poorly balanced wheel or who knows what else can go wrong.

I do see your point that the recommended method is patch from the inside, but I'm just not interested in going to a shop and getting the wheel/tire pulled off every time I get a nail or screw in the tire. These tires are very soft and this is unfortunately a common thing, especially if it's a DD.

 

It's a choice we each make... I'd rather find a shop I trust and do it right rather than have even a remote chance of a failure when I'm driving very, very fast

 

 

IMHO, unless you are going to put the car on a raod coarse then you will be fine with a plug and inside hot patch method. If you plan to put it on a road coarse then you must buy a new tire to ensure your safety.

 

I agree... I'm happy to patch/plug a tire for street use but would absolutely replace it before it seeing even one lap on a track.

 

A related question, can a user installed plug be removed and replaced with a proper inside patch and new plug later? The reason I ask is that on a road trip it would be preferable to have the less invasive temporary repair until you can return to the local shop that you trust.

 

Yes this can be done.

 

Thanks! I was afraid there might be an issue with shops refusing to work on already plugged damage.

I wouldn't want the shop featured in the original Chevy Chase Vacation movie doing the work even if Christie Brinkley was there to assist

 

No tracking = horse hair glue plug, it will outlast the tire.

 

I had not one but TWO nails in my rear driver side with less than 1000 miles on the car. Patched it up and a few thousand miles later it has not given me any issue.