Can you repair/patch a high performance tire? (effectively)

I have v-rated Bridgestone Potenzas on my Prelude. One of them has a
slow to medium leak. My common-sense says that a patched tire will
not have the same characteristics as an un-patched one. (ie it won't
be as safe to drive around like a high-speed maniac).

New tire x 2 = expensive
1 patched tire = cheap

Opinions? Thanks,
Rob

In article >, Rob B wrote:
> I have v-rated Bridgestone Potenzas on my Prelude. One of them has a
> slow to medium leak. My common-sense says that a patched tire will
> not have the same characteristics as an un-patched one. (ie it won't
> be as safe to drive around like a high-speed maniac).

I've had Z/W rated tires patched without problems. I'll guess that the
top sustained speed they are good for drops, but is still likely faster
than my car can go.

Rob B wrote:
>
> I have v-rated Bridgestone Potenzas on my Prelude. One of them has a
> slow to medium leak. My common-sense says that a patched tire will
> not have the same characteristics as an un-patched one. (ie it won't
> be as safe to drive around like a high-speed maniac).
>
> New tire x 2 = expensive
> 1 patched tire = cheap
>
> Opinions? Thanks,

Have you checked the valve stem?

If the pros are willing to patch it, I'd go with that. Hey, if they're
willing to risk it why should you worry?

--
Cheers,
Bev
************************************************** *************
When your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a thumb.

Rob B wrote:
> I have v-rated Bridgestone Potenzas on my Prelude. One of them has a
> slow to medium leak. My common-sense says that a patched tire will
> not have the same characteristics as an un-patched one. (ie it won't
> be as safe to drive around like a high-speed maniac).

On a Prelude? On the street? Of course it will be ok.

On 19 Apr 2005 08:09:49 -0700, (Rob B) wrote:

>I have v-rated Bridgestone Potenzas on my Prelude. One of them has a
>slow to medium leak. My common-sense says that a patched tire will
>not have the same characteristics as an un-patched one. (ie it won't
>be as safe to drive around like a high-speed maniac).
>
>New tire x 2 = expensive
>1 patched tire = cheap
>
>Opinions? Thanks,
>Rob

If it is on the side wall, buy new tires.

If it is in the tread, you CAN patch it. Just make sure that no
matter what the moron who fixes it says, you MUST spin balance the
tire after it is mounted. Otherwise you will have major issues.

Rob B wrote:
> I have v-rated Bridgestone Potenzas on my Prelude. One of them has a
> slow to medium leak. My common-sense says that a patched tire will
> not have the same characteristics as an un-patched one. (ie it won't
> be as safe to drive around like a high-speed maniac).
>
> New tire x 2 = expensive
> 1 patched tire = cheap
>
> Opinions? Thanks,

These are exactly the thoughts I had a month ago, except it was four new
tires vs. one patched. Came to the conclusion that getting the tire
patched would only cost a few percent of what a new set would run, so
that's what I went with. Of course, at the tire store they tried talking
me out of it saying the tire I came in with was "unsafe", "below legal
tread limit", and that I would be "ticketed if pulled over". Needless to
say, I didn't buy any of it and after really making clear I *didn't want
a new tire* they agreed to patch the old one.

I don't drive that fast, my usual freeway speed is 90 mph and I haven't
driven over 100 yet with the patch. However, I sometimes do power slides
and spin my tires, but so far I haven't had a problem.

I definitely recommend patching over a new tire.

> Rob
Ulf

--
ulf.cc

Ulf wrote:
>
> These are exactly the thoughts I had a month ago, except it
> was four new tires vs. one patched. Came to the conclusion
> that getting the tire patched would only cost a few percent
> of what a new set would run, so that's what I went with.
> Of course, at the tire store they tried talking me out of
> it saying the tire I came in with was "unsafe", "below legal
> tread limit", and that I would be "ticketed if pulled over".
> Needless to say, I didn't buy any of it and after really
> making clear I *didn't want a new tire* they agreed to patch
> the old one.
>
> my usual freeway speed is 90 mph. However, I sometimes do
> power slides and spin my tires

Were your tires actually below legal tread limit?

"Scott en Aztlán" > wrote in message
...

> And no matter what, the tire WILL lose its speed rating.
>
Pshaw! it is still right there on the sidewall!

Bernard

Old Wolf wrote:
> Ulf wrote:
>
>>These are exactly the thoughts I had a month ago, except it
>>was four new tires vs. one patched. Came to the conclusion
>>that getting the tire patched would only cost a few percent
>>of what a new set would run, so that's what I went with.
>>Of course, at the tire store they tried talking me out of
>>it saying the tire I came in with was "unsafe", "below legal
>>tread limit", and that I would be "ticketed if pulled over".
>>Needless to say, I didn't buy any of it and after really
>>making clear I *didn't want a new tire* they agreed to patch
>>the old one.
>>
>>my usual freeway speed is 90 mph. However, I sometimes do
>>power slides and spin my tires
>
>
> Were your tires actually below legal tread limit?

No. While the tires may be *at* the legal limit, they're not *below* it.

>
Ulf

--
ulf.cc

In article >,
says...
>
>
>On 19 Apr 2005 08:09:49 -0700, (Rob B) wrote:
>
>>I have v-rated Bridgestone Potenzas on my Prelude. One of them has a
>>slow to medium leak. My common-sense says that a patched tire will
>>not have the same characteristics as an un-patched one. (ie it won't
>>be as safe to drive around like a high-speed maniac).
>>
>>New tire x 2 = expensive
>>1 patched tire = cheap
>>
>>Opinions? Thanks,
>>Rob
>
>If it is on the side wall, buy new tires.
>
>If it is in the tread, you CAN patch it. Just make sure that no
>matter what the moron who fixes it says, you MUST spin balance the
>tire after it is mounted. Otherwise you will have major issues.

Also, make sure they patch it, not just plug it. What you want to avoid
is damaging the different belts under the tread. They are what keep your
tire together.
-------------
Alex