Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires blew a tire...worth fixing?

Well I have been driving for over 10 years now and I have gotten my 1st flat. Of course it would have to be on the SVT. It looks like I ran over a screw and it is about 2 inches from the edge. I have only had these firestone firehawk sz50ep's for 7000 miles which kills me. Does a plugged tire remain pretty safe on these tires or should I replace it with a new one?

Thanks

i had one of my KDW's patched twice (at the same time - two nails), though i never felt totally comfortable with it afterwards. of course, that had more to do w/ them being bald than anything else.

just make sure it's patched from the inside, not "plugged" per se (if i have the terminology right). i might lean toward replacing it if you raced a lot (autocross/track events) or ran at really high speeds a lot, but for most normal driving, my humble opinion says you'd be fine.

hth...

patchplug. its just what it sounds a patch on the inside w/a plug attached to it. a z rated tire isnt supposed to be repaired but this will work. worked at a tire shop for 3 years

I have SZ 50 EP's and found a nail right on the line where the tread and the sidewall meet. Had it fixed from the inside and no problems. On a side note, I like the handling of these tires but the tread wear was not what I was hoping for, I might get 17,000 miles or so. I do keep up with alignment, rotation, and pressure. I have read the comments on these tires from the Tire Rack and some of these people are talking 40,000 miles and more. I guess they drive in straight lines all the time.

thanks for the replies, I ended up getting it replaced. The guy said that since I rolled on it for about a mile before I could pull over the inside was kinda chewed up. I'd rather be safe than have a blowout on hard cornering or something. Oh well $230 down the tubes. Wish I could have waited for tirerack, but rolling on the spare was killing me, with even the old ladies passing me on the freeway.