Who plugs tires?

[DarkBlack]

And here I thought it was common knowledge. Guess it's not.

Anyway, tire manufacturers, the DOT, the Tire Industry Association, USTMA, and others have pretty much all agreed on what constitutes a legal repair.

There must be lots of easily obtained information on the subject, but I'm not into spoon feeding so you're on your own for the specifics.

Seriously?
Spoon feeding information?

You can’t seriously think the Tire Industry Association are federal law makers.
New law. You’re not legally allowed to fix your tires. You must buy new ones.

But seriously, what law are you aware of that says you can’t repair your tire with gummy worms?

 

[WinterDeere]

There must be lots of easily obtained information on the subject, but I'm not into spoon feeding so you're on your own for the specifics.

Not so difficult. Found this, with about 2.5 seconds spent on Google:

Are tire plugs legal? Yes, plugs are legal, but they are not USTMA-approved as permanent repairs.

Source: Nail in Tire? Guide to Tire Repair, Plugs, Patches & Fixes.

 

[Eagle1]

Not so difficult. Found this, with about 2.5 seconds spent on Google:

Are tire plugs legal? Yes, plugs are legal, but they are not USTMA-approved as permanent repairs.

Source: Nail in Tire? Guide to Tire Repair, Plugs, Patches & Fixes.

USTMA = U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association

Not an entity for law making, their advice may useful or useful for their membership

 

[paulsharvey]

And here I thought it was common knowledge. Guess it's not.

Anyway, tire manufacturers, the DOT, the Tire Industry Association, USTMA, and others have pretty much all agreed on what constitutes a legal repair.

There must be lots of easily obtained information on the subject, but I'm not into spoon feeding so you're on your own for the specifics.

None of those have regulatory power over a passenger vehicle.

 

[Alan W.]

One of the local tire shops had a new sign up showing a tire tread and the areas they could patch and couldn’t.
I asked the owner about it because they had always plugged or patched tires anywhere on the tread.
He told me their insurance company sent it along with policy changes prohibiting them from varying from their instructions.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

None of those have regulatory power over a passenger vehicle.

Maybe it's time for me to read up on the subject again.

It's possible that I've been brainwashed by reading Tire Business over the years

 

[Eagle1]

Legalese aside I understand why no tire business would consider a plug a permanent repair. I have had a few fail some due to my own incompetence. Patches are better but can fail as well. If I replaced every tire that was poked or cut by something it would never end. I have repaired many tires in one day after trip summer trip to and into a local creek or 3.
Most plugs installed will last the lifetime of the tire, including ones I patched on the way home from the tire store. Life on the remote dirt roads here.

Sidewall patches can work and I use them on slow speed machinery with no issues. Would never recommend it to anyone other than myself, I do it and am the one to suffer if it goes wrong.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Lots of conflicting info out there.

One search did indeed claim that a plug fix was illegal, but that was an AI generated answer, just like many that claimed the opposite.

The most logical (and non-AI) answers were found by searching "Can a tire repair be illegal". Not that I dug very deep on the subject.

 

[rontaki]

I think the legal aspect is for commercial repairs vs DIY.
Of course the tire shops want to cover their rear..tires.
Similar to having an electrician wire your house vs doing it yourself. Not saying which one is better, that depends on many variables.

 

[paulsharvey]

Now, I absolutely understand a tire company not covering the tire after Any damage repair.

Anyways, sure, plugs work, patches do too, both have their limits.

 

[DarkBlack]

Lots of conflicting info out there.

One search did indeed claim that a plug fix was illegal, but that was an AI generated answer, just like many that claimed the opposite.

The most logical (and non-AI) answers were found by searching "Can a tire repair be illegal". Not that I dug very deep on the subject.

It’s not illegal.
You’re trying too hard, to prove otherwise.
Move on…

 

[Redbug]

I carry one of these kits in every one of my vehicles. Been doing it for 35 years. They also have truck/heavy equipment kits. In my opinion the best plugs and kit on the market: KAB30 - Auto/LT Deluxe Bag - Safety Seal

 

[deserteagle71]

I carry one of these kits in every one of my vehicles. Been doing it for 35 years. They also have truck/heavy equipment kits. In my opinion the best plugs and kit on the market: KAB30 - Auto/LT Deluxe Bag - Safety Seal

I carry something similar in all my rigs. Most of my driving is off pavement so flats are relatively frequent. And why I love TPMS systems. They alert me to a tire losing air; almost always I can stop and plug the tire before it is completely flat and ruined. I also carry an air compressor.

But you have to have a QUALITY plug kit, and quality plugs. Didn't have much luck with the cheap ones!

 

[Redbug]

I carry something similar in all my rigs. Most of my driving is off pavement so flats are relatively frequent. And why I love TPMS systems. They alert me to a tire losing air; almost always I can stop and plug the tire before it is completely flat and ruined. I also carry an air compressor.

But you have to have a QUALITY plug kit, and quality plugs. Didn't have much luck with the cheap ones!

Yes, good air compressors in all the vehicles, too. I made extension cords about 20 feet long that have alligator clips on one end for the air compressors, also.

 

[Grumpycat]

And here I thought it was common knowledge. Guess it's not.

Anyway, tire manufacturers, the DOT, the Tire Industry Association, USTMA, and others have pretty much all agreed on what constitutes a legal repair.

There must be lots of easily obtained information on the subject, but I'm not into spoon feeding so you're on your own for the specifics.

You just lost the argument.

When tire manufacturers say anything about repair they state a reduced speed limit and reduction in load carrying capacity.

 

[CliffordK]

Patch inside is best but when applying plug one must understand the plug in hole is not holding air, it is the part that folds over the inside surface of tire that holds air. Tread rubber is not formulated to hold air, only the thin innermost coating of rubber holds air.

When inserting plug try to form a knot inside to contact the inside surface of the tire.

Interesting. I hadn't really thought about that much. I've used the rope plugs quite a bit, generally successfully, unless there is a large gouge. Or, of course, with tube tires.

There is a type of mushroom plug with a couple of different applicators. This is a screw in applicator, but there are also gun type applicators.

Perhaps a bit more complex than the rope applicators. However, one is left with a good mushroom on the inside.

 

[ray66v]

A rule is not a law.

Just like the rule that says, when the tire shop is putting on two new tires, they must go on the back of the vehicle. It's not the law.

In order for it to be law, it must be codified, (listed in to official resources), so it can be found by the public.

These rules are no doubt driven by legal departments, after having to pay legal settlements. Selling more tires as a result is just a convenient bonus for them.

 

[Eagle1]

A rule is not a law.

Just like the rule that says, when the tire shop is putting on two new tires, they must go on the back of the vehicle. It's not the law.

In order for it to be law, it must be codified, (listed in to official resources), so it can be found by the public.

These rules are no doubt driven by legal departments, after having to pay legal settlements. Selling more tires as a result is just a convenient bonus for them.

Since your steering and 70+% of the braking is on the front of a vehicle this does not make sense to me.....YMMV

 

[ray66v]

Since your steering and 70+% of the braking is on the front of a vehicle this does not make sense to me.....YMMV

The idea behind it is, with tread on the back you are more likely to maintain directional control.

Keep in mind, there are people who don't know how to drive.

I buy tires two at a time. I take the tires off, and drop them off, so I don't have to argue.

When I get them home, I put the new ones on the front for the winter, and I move them to the back for the summer. This gives me the most tread for traction and steering in the deep snow, and the least wear on the new tires, during the summer.

 

[Eagle1]

The idea behind it is, with tread on the back you are more likely to maintain directional control.

Keep in mind, there are people who don't know how to drive.

I buy tires two at a time. I take the tires off, and drop them off, so I don't have to argue.

When I get them home, I put the new ones on the front for the winter, and I move them to the back for the summer. This gives me the most tread for traction and steering in the deep snow, and the least wear on the new tires, during the summer.

Being that most vehicles are FWD these days it makes even less sense.
Putting new tires on the axle that does not steer, brake or drive is a not a winner.

Guess I have mounted my own tires for so long I'm out of touch with the insanity of people