Do Tire Repair plugs have a expiration date?

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

For many years now , nearly all tire shops , (maybe not some little indies) have been using the "plug patches" that really are the safest.

Apparently the old plugs can not be illegal. The stores obviously would not still sell them for fear of being sued. Unfortunately we seem to be in a time where almost everyone sues everyone they can. Ugh.
I know .... many will say "Get out! I been using plugs for years with no issues." Well I have used them too. I even still keep plug repair kits in the glove compartments or consoles of our vehicles.

Anyone can try to find a tire shop that will repair a leak with a plug (old type). Majority will refuse. They have signs up and all say , "we are not allowed to use the old style plugs anymore." This has been going on for years now.
Is this more over reach from Uncle Sam? Probably?

 

[CapriRacer]

For many years now , nearly tire shops , (maybe not some little indies) have been using the "plug patches" that really are the safest.

Apparently the old plugs can not be illegal. The stores obviously would not still sell them for fear of being sued. Unfortunately we seem to be in a time where almost everyone sues everyone they can. Ugh.
I know .... many will say "Get out! I been using plugs for years with no issues." Well I have used them too. I even still keep plug repair kits in the glove compartments or consoles of our vehicles.

Anyone can try to find a tire shop that will repair a leak with a plug (old type). Majority will refuse. They have signs up and all say , "we are not allowed to use the old style plugs anymore." This has been going on for years now.
Is this more over reach from Uncle Sam? Probably?

The US government has nothing to do with this. What's going on is a principle in law that says if there is a generally accepted way of doing things, then doing things a different way puts you at legal risk. (Obligatory I am not a lawyer)

The tire industry has published guidelines on repairing tires and plugs aren't considered proper repairs. That puts a tire shop at risk if they do plug repairs. Plugs have not been made illegal, but a tire shop will likely avoid legal liability if they can.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Call me skeptical....

I have a off road /quad tire with a 15 year old plug. Still holds air.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I have a off road /quad tire with a 15 year old plug. Still holds air.

My skepticism was with this gizmo he linked to, not the plug.

As for 15psi, bubble gum would hold for a while

 

[shortyb]

You really need to watch the video to see how it works.



Green "gun" is the original, orange one eliminates the steps of taking the tip of the tool off to manually insert a plug inside it.

 

[Jakebrake]

Plugging a tire should be thought of as a temporary fix. Get it to a tire shop as soon as possible for a proper assessment and repair.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

Plugging a tire should be thought of as a temporary fix. Get it to a tire shop as soon as possible for a proper assessment and repair.

Yep. No matter what type plug is used , I usually replace a repaired tire as soon as I can. These days I can afford to do that. Years ago not so much. I rather eat the cost of a new tire than worry the wife and grandkids are riding around with a repaired tire. I understand some can not afford to do the same or think it is crazy. Why not , some probably think I am crazy anyway so...... ok, MOST.

 

[maduroman]

Absolutely never have plugged a tire, always have it patched from the inside.

Whenever possible yes, and discount tire does it for free

 

[ecotourist]

On a related question, does the plugged tire have an expiration for the inserted plug ?
IOW - for a "new tire" (less than 4,000 miles) with a very small plug.

Used this kit with the glue per directions, into an almost new tire and it has now been reassigned to be a "spare" but I wonder if it could be put into rotation.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ET9SAA

Car is an AWD and has now 4,000 miles so trying to keep tire wear even.

I would think this is the tire you want to wear out (and not have as a permanent spare) so I'd put it in the rotation asap. Back when spare tires came on alloy wheels we used to have all 5 tires in the rotation. That was often only for the first cycle though and then we'd make a "permanent" spare of our best old tire.

 

[tblt44]

They dry out.I would buy new ones if they're not dry sticky anymore

 

[eljefino]

For many years now , nearly all tire shops , (maybe not some little indies) have been using the "plug patches" that really are the safest.

Plug patches really are the best.

I wonder if the tire companies, as part of the road hazard/ warranty/ authorized vendor agreements require these plug patches so their tire failure liabilities are minimized. Obviously the garage insurance company would be interested in best practices as well.

When training workers, they are occasionally told a store policy is the way it is because otherwise is "illegal". That's a white lie, but an easier way to gain compliance than getting into contract law and insurance actuarial tables with someone who may not have a particular interest in the subject.

 

[SC Maintenance]

You really need to watch the video to see how it works.



Green "gun" is the original, orange one eliminates the steps of taking the tip of the tool off to manually insert a plug inside it.

If you buy one and tell me it works, I will then believe you. Trust but verify!

 

[4WD]

I buy fresh plugs and glue around this time of year …
But, I seem to wind up plugging a tire for “rescue humans” …
(Been years since I was in that kind of bind) …

 

[shortyb]

If you buy one and tell me it works, I will then believe you. Trust but verify!

Fair enough. Wife was asking what I wanted for Father's Day .

Edit: Never mind. Not that I really trust Project Farm "testing", and take results with a grain of salt, but the Grand Pitstop mushroom plugs were the only ones in his test that leaked or shrunk below the surface of the tire. I'll stick with the Slime rope type plugs that I know work and deal with the glue. Guess momma needs to pick something else for Sunday.