Patching Sport Cup 2's

[RaceRed19]

Coming out of the gas station earlier today I noticed what looked like a nail in my right front! Did a quick pressure check and all was good...nothing leaking yet. Ran by the closest Ford dealer to have them check it out. Keep in mind...as we all know Michelin Sport Cup 2 tread patterns. My car just hit 3,400 miles of all road driving. No track time yet.

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Service tech comes back to talk to me after taking a look. He proceeds to tell me how he can't patch the tire because I need 4 new tires! I was like what the heck?!? His logic...all 4 of my tires are bald! Not for safety reasons...bald tires. After a good LOL and a "you're kidding me right?" from me, he just stood there and was dead serious! I asked him if he realized what those tires are and the purpose and just got the response back again. "You're tires are worn out".

I left went went straight to a tire shop about 1/2 mile away. They pulled the tire off with intentions of patching it. Lucky day for me, this tiny screw was in it and had not penetrated the tire all the way thru.

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Needless to say, I know for a fact now that we know much more about these cars than many of the Ford Techs!

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[nastang87xx]

Where's the puncture in the first pic? How long is the screw? Down to the mm.

 

[nordique14]

Patching is fine as long as the tires are not destined to see track time.

most chain tire stores have policies they have to follow about tread depth. They do not have special policies for rcomps. So make friends with your local independent tire installer

 

[honeybadger]

Run 'em. If it starts to leak, plug it.

I've tracked on plugged Cup2s without issue. But I'm not a licensed physician....so YMMV

 

[MikeR397]

Plug is fine. Run them until they chord (it takes a lot longer than most think with cup 2).

 

[RaceRed19]

The red circle shows where the puncture was at. Unfortunately, didn't take a pic with it in.

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Looks like after measuring it with a standard tape, it went in roughly 1/4" or 6.35mm.

I was simply amazed the guy being a Ford Tech had not clue about the tire itself. After telling me I needed 4 new tires, I knew then it was time to check out and head down the road!

 

[nastang87xx]

You're more than fine. Act like nothing happened, seriously.

 

[RaceRed19]

Thanks for all the input guys! If a leaks develops for any reason, I'll head back to the shop that pulled the screw out and have them throw a patch in it!

 

[JR369]

I've had the same situation happen to me. Tech at Discount Tire told me I need a new tire because it was bald and they wouldn't patch it. I told him the car has 1200 miles on it and the tires are new. I told him I want his managers opinion. He tried to fight that saying he didn't want to waste his mangers time. So I went in and got the manger myself. The Manager had to explain to the tech that these are track tires and have different guidelines for measuring tread depth. I've had two plugs in two different tires. Manger told me I could have up to two plugs in the same tire. Anyway that was months ago. No leaks or bleed off.

 

[RaceRed19]

I've had the same situation happen to me. Tech at Discount Tire told me I need a new tire because it was bald and they wouldn't patch it. I told him the car has 1200 miles on it and the tires are new. I told him I want his managers opinion. He tried to fight that saying he didn't want to waste his mangers time. So I went in and got the manger myself. The Manager had to explain to the tech that these are track tires and have different guidelines for measuring tread depth. I've had two plugs in two different tires. Manger told me I could have up to two plugs in the same tire. Anyway that was months ago. No leaks or bleed off.

With these tire becoming more common, you would think these tire stores and in my case Ford service departments would take 30 minutes one morning and just do a quick training class. Atleast the manager there knew and helped you out. Glad to hear those plugs are holding tight for you.

 

[ameapm2000]

The techs do not have required training for high performance vehicles, I guess it's not mandatory because there are not many of those.

 

[BeastAR]

You have to think though. These tires are low volume, compared to standard mustang, or SUV, or truck tires. Not to say, if its available tire and even standard on certain models, you would think Ford would throw a little training to its technicians. Or maybe the technician missed that training day class.... Never know.

 

[2018OFPP1?2]

Just so you know... According to this information on Tire Rack, Michelin allows up to three repairs without affecting the speed rating of the tire.

However, a plug alone is not considered a repair. A proper repair requires a patch from the inside of the tire as defined by the USTMA.

 

[honeybadger]

FWIW - I sent it with this tire on track for a day

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