Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum

WiseGuyZ · 02-27-2003, 05:02 PM

Well its good that you went with what he said. Thats what I would have done. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

ARWUN · 02-28-2003, 05:44 AM

Sorry, but your mechanic does not know what he is doing in this case. I have been in the tire business for over 30 years, and can assure you that plugging a steel-belted radial tire is a terrible idea. 95% of the blow-outs that come in are caused by a plugged tire.

The reason that they blow out is because as the tire flexes the steel chords eat away at the plug, and you develop a slow leak. The leak is so slow that you don’t realize that you are running on a tire with only 25… 20… 15… 10psi in it (especially with low profile tires like the Z has). The tire heats up tremendously with the low pressure because of additional flexing and finally gives out. Obviously, this is not a problem on the regular C5 with run-flat tires. Are you sure that is not what he was looking at in his book?

That is why I said that I would plug a tire in an emergency. There is no danger of the plug popping out, and it will get you home safely, but it could develop a slow leak if left alone. You should be okay with your plug if you check the air pressure weekly at a minimum.

Get back with us in the future, and let us know if everything held up okay… if you survive the blow-out on the expressway that is.

Z06socool · 02-28-2003, 06:25 AM

ARWUN I most definitely appreciate the words of caution.

I am very careful whenever and whatever I drive. I pride myself at taking great care of my car or motorcycle. I was considering installing a pressure sensor in my Z just like the one I had in my previous C5. In any case you better believe that I will monitor this tire "thing" very diligently. I am quite the paranoiac type when it comes to my safety, and with all the advice you and others gave me on this subject, I can assure you that I will check the pressure in my tires regularly (I do that anyway every two fill-up of my gas tank).

I will keep you guys posted, and hopefully not from a hospital bed

ARWUN · 02-28-2003, 06:53 AM

Sounds good. BTW, don't go plugging a flat motorcycle tire; it's a littel easier recovering from a blow-out in a car than a two wheeled vehicle.

What kind of bike do you have? Mine? An R1, hence the screen name.

Z06socool · 02-28-2003, 07:02 AM

ARWUN I hear you... I do not think I would even consider for one second repairing a tire on my motorcycle

I have a "R1-eater"

. The GSX-R 1000. When my Z gets too slow

I hop on the bike for a spin.

ARWUN · 02-28-2003, 07:05 AM

If you ever do get a flat on your bike, a patch is fine, as long as you have a qualified tire repair technician do it.

I have to agree, the Gixxer 1K is a little faster... given the right pilot.

Z06socool · 02-28-2003, 07:11 AM

ARWUN I was just teasing about which bike was faster

And I agree that the driver'skills is most important even more so than with a car.

BTW, I used to be close to where you live... I went to Univ. of Notre Dame a few years back. How do you manage driving your car over there? In Boston this year winter has been quite bad so far.

ARWUN · 02-28-2003, 07:19 AM

The roads are not too slippery in Detroit in the winter. I have only gotten stuck once. There is a big hill going down to the enterance of my gym. While I was there last week it snowed, and I couldn't make it up the hill... had to leave it there and pick it up the next day.

thx2.net · 02-28-2003, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gmblack3
You should go with a patch on the inside. Should be around $20-$50 depending on where you go. I had a patch put on one of my rears at about 15K and drove the tire till I replaced the rears at 25k. Never had a problem at all.

You got 25K miles out of the BACK tires.

I'm turning 15K and I've only got 3/32 left (2/32 is legally bald). I guess driving in Comp mode reduces tire life

Dr.Electron · 02-28-2003, 07:48 PM

FYI - AT our discount tire they have a plug/patch which will allow the tire to keep it's speed rating with up to 3 repairs. It is applied from the inside like a patch. It has a plug attached to the patch so you are getting the benefits of both. Had one in my first rear after only 2000 miles. Held up perfectly for the entire 8000 mile life of the tire.

Dr. E.

ARWUN · 03-03-2003, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr.Electron
FYI - AT our discount tire they have a plug/patch which will allow the tire to keep it's speed rating with up to 3 repairs. It is applied from the inside like a patch. It has a plug attached to the patch so you are getting the benefits of both.

Yes, those are okay to use too. We use them when the hole is a little bigger than normal.