Norm01

Well got a screw in my left rear tire, went to my local tire shop I always use and was surprised the tech was installing a tire plug. I remember years ago when you used these it was temporary only and you needed to get the tire patched eventually. Tech said these plugs are much better now and that's almost all they use unless the hole is too big. Can anyone with knowledge confirm this.

Second thing is he jacked my car on the left rear corner only but not in the MB jacking location, he said there was a pad where he jacked. I checked when I got home and sure enough there is no pad, best I can tell is he jacked it near the left rear jacking point where there seems to be a hole in the under pan. Any MB tech know what's under there and if I should be worried. There is no apparent damage.

Glyn M Ruck

Externally inserted tyre plugs are not considered permanent. You should have the tyre removed & a tulip plug inserted from inside the tyre & then externally trimmed.

Greyghost230

I have been installing and running dozens tire plugs for years and only have had 1 problem (hole was too big for plug).
I actually prefer plus because the tire doesn't need to come off the wheel.

EVERY time a technician takes a tire off the wheel they inevitably scratch the wheel.

ShoremNJ

Plugs do come loose, it happened to me. not a fast flat but it will slow leak. Patching from the inside is the best.

CaliforniaCrook

your supposed to plug it form the inside and pull it out. if plugged right, it should last the life of the tire. Some places plug and patch it.

Glyn M Ruck

Correct. A tulip plug effectively gives you a patch & plug in one. This is Michelin recommended procedure. No reputable tyre shop would suggest that an external plug is permanent. With modern tyre mounting machines there is no reason to scratch the rim. They just have to use the plastic protectors supplied. A good operator can do it without them. I had three tulips fitted on my last set of tyres thanks to my builder doing renovations & leaving nails on my driveway - no scratched rims & I am **** about my cars.

Teck

+1

Those plugs are good today but I'd change the tyre just for safety reasons!

Glyn M Ruck

The tyres will be fine as long as the steel belt is not severely damaged. If it is it will soon show itself with a delamination lump.

Moto_Guzzi

Had a flat at 2000Km[Left rear]. Plug up the tire from outside with plug deep in[Screw puncture].Then pump tyre with bottle of sealant. Then pump up tyre to correct pressure with Gas bottle[8Kpa] in boot. Never give trouble till tyre was replaced at 13 000Km. Car limited to 160Km/h. Examined tyre at shop and plug was still ok.[The plugs was very snotty]

Repair kit in my car boot:[Staggred wheels]
Since then I ride 1-A 8KPA gas bottle[10Kg] ,2-Gas sealant bottles=4x[Larger one, 3-A tire plug kit[2x]. The important thing is to get the pressure up after initial repair using all this next to the road, which the sealant bottle alone cannot do.

I also think, and I have used it on a motorcyle, is if you have thick screws with simple thread, one could remove screw causing the puncture and use one of these screws temporarely. You have to accellarate slowly and not more than 100Km/h, and this of course is very temp.

I live in SA and there is some places I don't want to wait for Mercedes help.

tanktube67

Always request for a tire patch.