Which repair works best? I read one thread where Los Gatos Acura repaired a flat due to a nail with a patch and the patch failed because of the glue. I've been getting plugs in all my flats (from a Shell station) on various vehicles and they seem to last til end of the life of the tire.

 

You should never use plugs, especially in high performance tires. Plugs are usually applied without removing the tire from the rim, so the installer doesn't have the opportunity to inspect the inside of the tire for any damage.

If it is properly repaired, a patch should also last forever, but it has less chance of popping out.

 

Oh, oh. I've taken my flats to Sears Auto and BigO and they've always used plugs.

 

Ron is right, patches are the "better" way to go... however, I've had all my flats on all my cars repaired by a tire shop using plugs and the plugs have outlasted the tires.

 

Discount Tire repaired a flat (nail puncture) I had last week and they used a plug AND patch. Safest way to go, I think.

 

Thanks for the input. It's hard to find a place that does patches in the Bay Area. I used to ask, but gave up when I couldn't find a place anymore. IMO, the only way the plug would fall off is if you run your tires bald.

Thanks again!

 

I just had mine plugged/patched about a week or so ago. Sears did it for me and they use a combination plug/patch. The best description I can think of is the rubber tees you see at golf driving ranges used on the mats.

(About a 2" diameter disc with a plug attached in the center.)

Sears guarantees it as long as the tire.

 

Plug-Patch Combi unit is the best and only way to go. The decent tire shops in town should have them. Insist on it.