Nail in run flat
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 8
From: Glen Burnie Maryland
I have a nail in the tread area of a front tire. I've read many posts here that it can be patched/plugged from the inside. I've called Michelin and GM. Both said this is true. Called Discount tire today (two locations) and they tell me a run flat can not be repaired. (company Policy)
Can anyone clear this up for me? It's just a small screw. I don't track the car, it's a weekend driver. 2017 base Stingray.
Thanks
Can anyone clear this up for me? It's just a small screw. I don't track the car, it's a weekend driver. 2017 base Stingray.
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
Had my RF tire with a small screw in middle of tire tread plugged at a local high end tire shop for 3.00 two weeks ago, no problem. The new tire plugs are super good. Shop said their tire plug guy drove up in a chevy suburban with at least 50 plugs all around the SIDEWALL to demonstrate how good they were. No saying I would trust a sidewall plug but info only.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,154
Likes: 18,001
From: DFW Area TX
I just don't understand why some people go the cheap or easy route and just do a plug. Why risk your safety when the tire experts say a plug/patch combo is the only recommended repair? Discount tire will dismount, inspect, prep, plug/patch, remount and balance for FREE.
US Tire Manufacturers Association puncture repair procedures
Tire Industry Association tire repair
US Tire Manufacturers Association puncture repair procedures
Tire Industry Association tire repair
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Makes no sense to me either. Just because you did it once, and it worked, doesn't mean it's going to be safe again. There is a reason that it is not a recommended repair and only designed to be a temporary fix to get to a tire shop.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 11,710
Likes: 48
Picked up a screw last month in the right rear. Took the car to the local tire shop (Discount Tire) and they said it cannot be repaired as per manufacturer. I asked him to show me where it said that and he went to the computer and said see they said it cannot be repaired. I looked and Michelin said it could be repaired once. The guy lied but they said they would repair it.
Then I asked him if they have lifted a corvette explaining that my C5 had body damage due to improper lifting. He said no but no problem. It lifts like any other car. I said never mind and went to the dealer.
Be very wary of tire shops and make sure they know how to lift your vette.
Then I asked him if they have lifted a corvette explaining that my C5 had body damage due to improper lifting. He said no but no problem. It lifts like any other car. I said never mind and went to the dealer.
Be very wary of tire shops and make sure they know how to lift your vette.
Last edited by FormerBiker; Feb 21, 2018 at 12:15 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,146
Likes: 1,913
From: Missouri City, TX
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,146
Likes: 1,913
From: Missouri City, TX
........... tire experts say a plug/patch combo is the only recommended repair? Discount tire will dismount, inspect, prep, plug/patch, remount and balance for FREE.
US Tire Manufacturers Association puncture repair procedures
Tire Industry Association tire repair
US Tire Manufacturers Association puncture repair procedures
Tire Industry Association tire repair
My local Discount only uses the combo plug & patch method.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 1,880
From: Hot Springs AR
B. There's no Discount Tire within 100 miles of you.
It's not a matter of cost to me, much more a matter of getting it done quickly and safely. In all seriousness, when was the last time you heard of a tire failure due to a plug?
Have a good one,
Mike
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,154
Likes: 18,001
From: DFW Area TX
A. You get a Low Tire Pressure warning while on the Interstate miles from the nearest exit, much less from anyone competent to work on these low profile tires.
B. There's no Discount Tire within 100 miles of you.
It's not a matter of cost to me, much more a matter of getting it done quickly and safely. In all seriousness, when was the last time you heard of a tire failure due to a plug?
Have a good one,
Mike
B. There's no Discount Tire within 100 miles of you.
It's not a matter of cost to me, much more a matter of getting it done quickly and safely. In all seriousness, when was the last time you heard of a tire failure due to a plug?
Have a good one,
Mike
Even if I could not get it done for free at Discount Tire, I'd pay to have it done correctly. Tires are just to critical to safety while driving.
Last edited by Zymurgy; Feb 21, 2018 at 12:54 PM.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,154
Likes: 18,001
From: DFW Area TX
That greatly depends on the situation. The fun flats are designed to go 50 miles at up to 50 MPH with zero pressure. In reality, they can probably go further. Regardless, in this case, the tire needs to be scrapped. If the tire is just driven with it a couple of pounds low (slow leak, constantly putting more air in it), then it will not really have any impact other than probably reducing the tread life somewhat. I wouldn't recommend you drive it anywhere near the edge of the performance envelope until it gets repaired correctly or replaced.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,711
Likes: 203
From: here
Fine for a temporary repair, but when you get it home, have it redone the correct way. The risk of tire failure is not primarily due to the plug, but due to the fact that the puncture may have damaged the tire structure. That can only be determined by a visual inspection from the inside of the tire.
Even if I could not get it done for free at Discount Tire, I'd pay to have it done correctly. Tires are just to critical to safety while driving.
Even if I could not get it done for free at Discount Tire, I'd pay to have it done correctly. Tires are just to critical to safety while driving.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
That greatly depends on the situation. The fun flats are designed to go 50 miles at up to 50 MPH with zero pressure. In reality, they can probably go further. Regardless, in this case, the tire needs to be scrapped. If the tire is just driven with it a couple of pounds low (slow leak, constantly putting more air in it), then it will not really have any impact other than probably reducing the tread life somewhat. I wouldn't recommend you drive it anywhere near the edge of the performance envelope until it gets repaired correctly or replaced.
100%. I would not track a car with even a properly plugged and patched tire. JMHO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 1,880
From: Hot Springs AR
Up here? Not so much. Trucks and "beige" cars, sure. High performance low profile tires? Good luck with that. It's bad enough I'm considering driving my C7 to someone in the DFW area to do the MSRC upgrade.
Have a good one,
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Plugging from the outside is not OK, even though some people get lucky. Moreover, doing it that way renders a ZP tire unrepairable for an approved repair.
Last edited by Foosh; Feb 21, 2018 at 02:00 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 25
From: Georgetown, TX
Tire repair
I have a nail in the tread area of a front tire. I've read many posts here that it can be patched/plugged from the inside. I've called Michelin and GM. Both said this is true. Called Discount tire today (two locations) and they tell me a run flat can not be repaired. (company Policy)
Can anyone clear this up for me? It's just a small screw. I don't track the car, it's a weekend driver. 2017 base Stingray.
Thanks
Can anyone clear this up for me? It's just a small screw. I don't track the car, it's a weekend driver. 2017 base Stingray.
Thanks
As long as the nail is in a repairable area, they will fix.
Cannot be in the side wall or near the outer edge of the tire.
Side note, there was no charge although they nicked the rim.
They stood behind there work and had the wheel repaired.
