nitroman58 Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 I have had a tire plugged a few times, but it seems to last only a few months at most. Currently, I have 45,000 miles on the original tires. They are in good condition otherwise. Someone was telling me about the circumference of all four tires being within 1/4". Can the dealer evaluate that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocei77 Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Actually 5/32". Best is to find a place that shaves tires. Get similar tread design if possible. O. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golucky66 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Yeah, on a subaru (or any AWD car really) if the tires aren't close to each other in depth of tread, the car may encounter difficulties, especially in the snow. I have never heard any specific measurement different for best results but the 5/32" is believable, if not even less (like 3 or 4/32") Are you sure it is leaking out of the plug and not around the bead? Because the bead is a very very common place for wheels to leak, especially a very slow leak like what you have. Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Far better/cheaper option if your tires are still in good enough shape- The industry standard as of the last few or several years is that plugs are temporary, patches are permanent. I would find a decent shop, or even Wal Mart TLE is good/cheap to pull the tire, patch it properly and put a new valve stem in for good measure. It will cost $20 and likely stop whatever leaking issues you've got. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitroman58 Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share Posted November 21, 2015 Thanks for the info. The dealer mentioned the plug/patch also. I will go that route next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 45K on tires, your more then 50% through tire life. I would patch the tire and watch for sales. I am ok wit shaving one tire, but thats not cheap, and you may have spent double the money on one tire, may as well get all 4. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Tire dealers love to sell the story that you have to replace all four; I don't buy it. With $400 minimum for a complete change look at all other options unless you are independently wealthy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 yeah patch it. lasts only a few months - you've done it multiple times? is this is regular hole in the tread? it's not in the sidewall right? i've never had a plug not hold. you can use also use two plugs at one time, that might help. 45,000 miles is a lot, surprised they still have good tread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 yeah patch it. lasts only a few months - you've done it multiple times? is this is regular hole in the tread? it's not in the sidewall right? i've never had a plug not hold. you can use also use two plugs at one time, that might help. 45,000 miles is a lot, surprised they still have good tread. Yea, years back, the way to fix a nail hole flat was to plug the tire, without even removing the wheel from the car. I never had any plug cause a problem. Then, the last few years, it has become a patch, where by the tire is removed from the road wheel to apply the patch. Maybe the extra work is so the repair is more expensive, thus more profitable. Anyone with thoughts on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Tire dealers love to sell the story that you have to replace all four; I don't buy it. With $400 minimum for a complete change look at all other options unless you are independently wealthy. I just cashed my check fro the tire companies for endorsing replacing all 4 tires, now i can buy that gold tooth. I STRONGLY suggest you READ the history of this board, ever freaking site on Full time AWD, educate yourself on how it works, then form an opinion. Also NOT replacing all 4 tires make the dealers far more money in shop costs replacing an AWD system then 4 tires does. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp98 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 From what I understand if the hole in the tire isn't round or a perfect fit for the plug it will still leak no matter what you do, where a patch will seal the hole no matter what. The tire dealer that I go to will fix my flats for free and they only do patches. Also on their warranty paperwork for the tires they state that a plug will void the warranty and should only be used in a emergency. All I have done is to plug the tire and then have them pull the plug and patch it a week or so later when I get down to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt167 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 WalMart wont pull a temp plug to patch a tire. If the temp plug is failed, the tire is because the plugs can absorb water into the tire... Awd needs 4 tires. I've put 2 tires on subarus for people in a pinch. I'm not supposed to, but with a disclaimer signed, I can . You can feel and hear the tires fightingg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 I just cashed my check fro the tire companies for endorsing replacing all 4 tires, now i can buy that gold tooth. I STRONGLY suggest you READ the history of this board, ever freaking site on Full time AWD, educate yourself on how it works, then form an opinion. Also NOT replacing all 4 tires make the dealers far more money in shop costs replacing an AWD system then 4 tires does. From what I've seen here that a reasonable proximity in tread, wear, etc. should be the objective. Not replacing all four tires with brand new ones every time you have a serious blowout. That is way too religious for me, and a budget buster. Oh and by the way with the price of oil hitting recent lows why are petro products like tires and anti-freeze so expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Well i'm saving for the next gold tooth. I need tires soon, and i have been wondering the same thing. Maybe a lack of competition does it? I always buy road hazard with tires. I should ask Tire Rack how they handle this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt167 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 road hazard is basically, un repairable damage within the first year or 25% of treadwear or less, the tire is replaced free of charge. After that, its pro rated. Caveat, a tire plug voids road hazard in most cases that its required Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirtokesalot Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 ive plugged tires in the past and had them last for years and ive also plugged tires and had them go out again a month or 2 later. my favorite plug job was on my own tire i plugged the side wall i know i shouldent have but the tire was near new tread wise and i was broke. that tire went on 3 years before the plug blew out and i was forced to get another tire but at that time the tire was well worn and needed replacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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