Why did tire shops stop using tire plugs to fix tires? Other than to make more money.?

Answer 1

Tire Plugs are not an approved method of tire repair by the tire manufacturer. Your stuffing a piece of fiber in the tire and that can cause the tire to "seperate" under load. The only approved repair method is a patch.

Answer 2

The old style plug is good but not great for the tire. The new plugs are shaped like an umbrella and need to be installed from the inside. This gives the technicican a chance to inspect the inside of the tire also. The old method did not require the tire to come off the rim, possibly hiding potential damage on the inside. Also, the new plugs help seal the tire between the steel belts to help prevent sepearation of the belts caused by contamination entering around the plug. One other benefit is that a patch is also part of the plug and another sealent is placed over that completing the repair. Most tire shops will also rebalance the tire for the best repair and satisfaction possible. It is more expensive but worth the extra.

Answer 3

when tires were switched to steel belted radials.
a simple nail hole cuts the steel cords and causes damage a plug won't fix.. air gets between the plys of the tire and causes separation inside the tread

so the patch HAS to be on the inside

Answer 4

the proper way to fix a tire is to seperate it from the wheel and put a patch in it. if a tire shop told me that they were going to put a plug in it i would tell them to forget it and take it somewhere else.

Answer 5

They got tired of being sued.

ADDED:
No pun intended. (but it's funny)

Answer 6

mr knowitall and mrs stephane knows what are they talking about. good answers but i deserve the points,