Carpokes

As for driving on track, there are those who will take a track-punctured tire to a local shop and then get back on track - I've known many who have done so with no issues. However, they drive accordingly both on track and going back home, assuming they are not trailering their vehicle.

However, for me I would not be comfortable driving a patched tire (any kind of patch) on track and have never done so.

Maybe some other members can chime in Some of us aggressively track our cars. My car is a DD with occasional canyon runs.

Well I just jumped in line and placed an order for one of these snappy, Safety Seal tire repair kits! I am always a sucker for a red zippered carrying case!
I think Safety Seal may want to consider plugging the Carpokes kitty as this thread has probably secured their 4 th quarter sales goals!

Many, many years ago (probably over 20) Car and Driver published an article about the merits and performance of tire repairs - plugging alone from the exterior vs removing the tire and internal vulcanized patching.

The conclusion was that plugging was equally as "effective" as patching.

Now does that mean it provides the performance of a tire that has not been repaired - who knows ???

By the same token, a new tire that has not been punctured may have a manufacturing defect that can suddenly appear and cause tire "failure" without warning.

Over the years I've had several tires develop bulging side walls that were not apparent until I seasonally changed the rims.

I have used external plugs on several occasions with no untoward issues and one true emergency repair that required 3 plugs in the same hole (and a 12 volt compressor) in a low profile sidewall safely got me off the breakdown lane on I-95 and to a tire dealer. That tire I did replace !!!

Norville wrote: Wed Nov 08, 2023 5:33 am This is the kit I bought:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010L ... UTF8&psc=1

Without a jack it’s not going to be an easy job, but it makes me feel better.

Mine arrived from Amazon today. Wow - what a quality kit. The tools are hefty (very heavy and heavy duty) and extraordinarily well-made - high quality. The same can be said for the rest of what's included too.

This Safety Seal kit is not cheap but you get what you pay for and I like what I got. Made in the USA too which is a big plus and a refreshing change from the now decades-long barrage of Chinese-made everything, too much of which is just plain horrid.

Neither my Cayman nor our Audi have a spare tire. The Audi came with a scissor jack in a nice tool pouch (plus the requisite slime and compressor). I added a breaker bar and both 17mm (Audi) and 19mm (Porsche) deep sockets, a pair of pliers, and nitrile gloves to the pouch, and bought the kit pictured below. Then I swap the pouch and plug kit between the cars, depending on which one is hitting the road.

https://www.stopngo.com/products/show-7860

blueline wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 9:13 pm

Norville wrote: Wed Nov 08, 2023 5:33 am This is the kit I bought:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010L ... UTF8&psc=1

Without a jack it’s not going to be an easy job, but it makes me feel better.

Mine arrived from Amazon today. Wow - what a quality kit. The tools are hefty (very heavy and heavy duty) and extraordinarily well-made - high quality. The same can be said for the rest of what's included too.

This Safety Seal kit is not cheap but you get what you pay for and I like what I got. Made in the USA too which is a big plus and a refreshing change from the now decades-long barrage of Chinese-made everything, too much of which is just plain horrid.

Glad you like it, I was impressed as well. You won’t shatter the insertion tool if you have to give it some force. I debated adding a (used) aluminum jack, plus a lug wrench, chocks, etc. but figured by the time I was done I’d have a frunk full of tools that I may or may not need. I carry a pair of running shoes instead. Much lighter, and I can walk to call for assistance if there’s no cell service.

Arne2 wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 10:03 pm Neither my Cayman nor our Audi have a spare tire. The Audi came with a scissor jack in a nice tool pouch (plus the requisite slime and compressor). I added a breaker bar and both 17mm (Audi) and 19mm (Porsche) deep sockets, a pair of pliers, and nitrile gloves to the pouch, and bought the kit pictured below. Then I swap the pouch and plug kit between the cars, depending on which one is hitting the road.

I see to carry the smaller kit on my motorcycle. Never needed it but was happy to have it as insurance.

I have a track day tomorrow and was swapping on my track wheels and tires today. I noticed a large screw was in one of my track tires, started to pry it out and could hear the air start to leak. I used another tire plug from my original kit and plugged it. Only lost a few pounds of air pressure, quick and easy.

This time the hole was larger since it was a large screw and much easier to install the plug, vs the first time i used it with to repair the hole from a small roll pin.

J-Dub wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:11 pm I have a track day tomorrow and was swapping on my track wheels and tires today. I noticed a large screw was in one of my track tires, started to pry it out and could hear the air start to leak. I used another tire plug from my original kit and plugged it. Only lost a few pounds of air pressure, quick and easy.

This time the hole was larger since it was a large screw and much easier to install the plug, vs the first time i used it with to repair the hole from a small roll pin.

Have fun but be super careful with the plugged track tire.

Wait, track day? That's right, it's AZ!! Lol

Temps going to be in the mid single digits again here in TN tonight and tomorrow night. This follows three nights of low single digit to zero F and below earlier in the week. I know, it's a whole lot colder elsewhere but as I keep saying, this is TN, so it is a bit on the low side for us. Still lots of snow on the ground too - ugly and dirty. It's cloudy and dark every day too. Reminds me of my years in MI winters.

This was Wednesday at 4:00am.


On the bright side, current forecast is for 62° Thursday.