Discount Tire no longer patches plugged tires
- Thread starter Avery4
- Start date
the only thing i remove before plugging a tire is all of my clothing.
Discount Tire did not grow to nearly 1200 stores by finding ways not to sell you a new tire. 
Isn't this an online tire store? https://www.discounttire.com/ If so, how do you get the tire fixed? Ship them back?
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
They have about a million (ok 1200) locations in the west. They have good prices and usually good service, free air checks and tire patching.
I recently read on another site a person had a noise issue in a rear tire on a Tahoe.
After a full brake inspection, bearing check, etc. turns out he had a flat repaired recently with a plug, he had run over a screwdriver and the shaft of the screwdriver was still inside the tire.
So much for those plug repairs.
Do the patch so interior of tire can be eyeballed.
After a full brake inspection, bearing check, etc. turns out he had a flat repaired recently with a plug, he had run over a screwdriver and the shaft of the screwdriver was still inside the tire.
So much for those plug repairs.
Do the patch so interior of tire can be eyeballed.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Wouldn't this be fun on your 4x4 / AWD if DT refuses to patch a plugged tire and then tells you they won't replace just one tire anyway. Have to do all 4.
You'd think DT would make more money on say a ~$20-40 tire patching (assuming tire can safely be patched) than selling a new tire. I assume the profit margin on a single tire sale is slim.
I get the liability thing, but I've never heard of a tire failing because of a plug or patch.
You'd think DT would make more money on say a ~$20-40 tire patching (assuming tire can safely be patched) than selling a new tire. I assume the profit margin on a single tire sale is slim.
I get the liability thing, but I've never heard of a tire failing because of a plug or patch.
When you went to their site, you don't see their store locator at the top left-hand corner of the screen ?
I bet they only use the best method to repair, which is the combination plug/patch. Can’t use one if there is already a plug in there. Don’t know of any shop that does not use exclusively plug/patches.
There isn't anything wrong with plugging a tire if done correctly. The liberal use of rubber cement is a must. Back in the day, this is how ALL tubeless tires were repaired, I did hundreds (maybe a thousand) of them when I worked at a service station as a teen. I have done many dozens of them since (many of them with the tire mounted on the vehicle, but sometimes it is just easier to remove the tire) and never had a tire failure from doing it.
As far as the tire manufacturer's (and store's) recommendations are concerned, keep in mind that they have a vested interest in selling you a new tire.
Is a plug/patch a better repair? Of course it is, but a patch by itself is NOT. Done correctly, plugging a tire is not as dangerous as some would have you believe.
As far as the tire manufacturer's (and store's) recommendations are concerned, keep in mind that they have a vested interest in selling you a new tire.
Is a plug/patch a better repair? Of course it is, but a patch by itself is NOT. Done correctly, plugging a tire is not as dangerous as some would have you believe.
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That's the irony with tire shops.... For decades, plugging a tire was perfectly okay to do and today, all of a sudden it's dangerous and they won't do it due to liability ? Today, with the availability of patch/plugs, no doubt they are better but that doesn't automatically make plugs a death sentence of imminent failure.
I've used plugs for 40 years and will continue to do so. I've only had one failure. The one that failed was a large hole so I just replaced the tire. I've never had a tire patched. I started plugging my own tires when needed years ago after going to have one plugged and they didn't even remove the wheel from the car and charged me $10 when the going price was $5. This was many years ago, they'd repaired the tire in in 30 seconds and had charged me more than I made in an hour. I soon went and bought my own tire plugging kits and either put them in the glove compartment of each car or in the tool box and have used them ever since. I used to work construction so it wasn't uncommon to pick up a nail or screw.
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really people? not one comment or reaction? i am bored and really need some validation on the internet.
please clap.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
It's been a good 35yrs for me and I have had one plug leak.
The tire shop closest to my house still plugs tires if they feel a plug will do it. They'll charge you $20. If it requires or you prefer a plug/patch, that's $30.
A large local tire chain store will patch/plug them free so long as you bought the tires from them. Problem is, often times you'll have to wait for hours or drop the vehicle off and come back later.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
I would have given you an eggplant emoji, but need pics first.
What kind of thread is this turning into? Probably some type of self-vulcaniding rubber sealant. In my experience, the sticky string type plugs seal very well. I've never had a problem with one. I wouldn't take a car with a plugged tire to the track, though.If I'm not mistaken, they fill the outside 'hole' with some "gooey" stuff
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