Wood screw at corner of tread/wall and plugged -- drive it, or replace?

[IdahoRanger]

hmmmm...I've never lowered mine to check...I'd figure it would be same aluminum wheel/tire as the rest of the set...

Sid, either have I and now am thinking I need to, if nothing else to check the air pressure.

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[JimJa]

- My early '19 has a spare of a different size. Not a mini, just a smaller size than the four on the ground. Was the same on my '05 Ranger. What's with that Ford.
- If your spare is smaller, the concerned is about the circumference, which may cause over heating the diff fluid due to different sized tires on the same axle. Not a big deal for short drives, but long distance at high speeds would be a concern.
- Suspect the 50MPH issue is because Owner Manual's from Ford tend to be a bit "generic." When produced "cut and paste" is obvious. Mini spares will say on the tire to not exceed 50. Does it say that on your spare? Probably not.
- In California it's against the law to repair a tire's shoulder puncture. Backed over a nail on wife's car in San Diego right on the shoulder. Ended up taking the car to TJ to get it fixed - no one would fix it. Drove those tires an additional 50,000 miles and replace them when worn out. If you are concerned, remove the tire and put a vulcanised patch on the inside. I'm an old fart and my father sold/repaired tires. As a kid I grew up with people that went through the depression - you would not believe the tires we fixed and I wouldn't do it again, but Looking at your puncture I wouldn't be concerned. If there was a tear in the sidewall, that's a different story, but if you are the type of person that will worry, then get a different tire or a new set.

 

[Discount Tire]

Memorial Day weekend road trip had me putting the spare on.
Picked up a wood screw, entering at a shallow angle into the sidewall -- bad place for a screw.
Small town independent repair shop said its not patchable (I knew he'd say that because of the sidewall).
I told him I'd plug it so I could use it as a spare for the rest of my trip --unless he'd be nice enough to do it for a fee. So he did -- used rubber cement, and even used a butane torch to melt the plug a bit -- he said it helps seal the plug.
And he recommended driving my plugged tire rather than the spare for the rest of my weekend trip since the spare is rated for 50 mph. So I put the plugged tire back on (drivers rear).
I put about 700 miles on the plugged tire over the rest of the weekend, with a lot of it 75-80 mph Interstate highway driving.
I still have the stock tires on my XLT Sport, 5/32" to 6/32" tread, 40,000 miles. 255/65R17 Bridgestone Dueler A/T
The repair guy recommended I buy a used OEM tire off ebay, and run that until I need a new set--gets more use out of the other 3.
I don't tow, or haul loads.
Should I:
1. Run the plugged tire for another 5,000ish miles until the stock tires are wore out
2. Buy a used OEM with ~ 6/32 tread to finish the life of the stock tires
3. Buy 4 new now
Here's some pics (the red fuzz on the plug is from the Tommy's drive-thru car wash yesterday)
Thanks in advance.

Sorry I'm late to the conversation.

Sidewall punctures are the worst. Don't take any chances...I recommend replacing the tire.

 

[taralon]

Replace, that's a sidewall blowout waiting to happen.


For mostly street/highway use I'm looking at replacing my tires with Continental Terrain Contact H/T as they are one of the higher rated All Seasons with good light snow/ice rating and high tread life at a decent price. I've had good experiences with Continental/General all seasons last longer than the treadwear indicates, and they have predictable handling in rain/snow/ice.

 

[got3fords]

Dave pretty much answered your question. As for what tires to get I assume you are staying on the street? With that in mind the Firestone Destination LE3 definitely has a lower cost compared to the Michelin. Both have the same mileage rating with same load and speed rating looking at the 265/70-17. The Firestone is also lighter coming in at 37 LBS a piece vs Michelin at 39 LBS a piece.

Both are good tires. It's your call

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I might get in the mud once a year if that. Same with pushing snow.

 

[AzScorpion]

Sid, either have I and now am thinking I need to, if nothing else to check the air pressure.

That's why I have the spare flipped so the valve is facing down. Much easier to check and fill this way. ?

 

[Frenchy]

That's why I have the spare flipped so the valve is facing down. Much easier to check and fill this way. ?

Lol I can do better then that!! Just remove the cover and I'm there!! ?

 

[AzScorpion]

Lol I can do better then that!! Just remove the cover and I'm there!! ?

Darn, that spare looks like it belongs on a Semi truck!

 

[moorejl57]

When I discovered I had mismatched tires from the dealer on a new truck, I had to send them pictures. Sure enough, my spare although the correct size but P rated vs. LT rated.

 

[Langwilliams]

Michelin Defenders

I plan on the Michelins as my next tire. I have 265/70 Nitto terra grapplers an they look cool, ride ok, handle good wet and try, an don't make any more noise than the factory tire. They are 6 or 7 pounds heavier than the stock tire but they are a size wider an taller. My cousin likes the way they look an my review so he's buying them for his truck. I lost a mpg or so but I also leveled the front 1.8".

I might go Michelin to get a better ride. Getting old an cranky. I already did the springs front an rear an it helped a lot but a softer sidewall might help a little more. They just don't have that tough cool look though lol.

I might go 255/75 if I don't go 265/70's. A tad taller an a tad skinnier.

 

[Frenchy]

I plan on the Michelins as my next tire. I have 265/70 Nitto terra grapplers an they look cool, ride ok, handle good wet and try, an don't make any more noise than the factory tire. They are 6 or 7 pounds heavier than the stock tire but they are a size wider an taller. My cousin likes the way they look an my review so he's buying them for his truck. I lost a mpg or so but I also leveled the front 1.8".

I might go Michelin to get a better ride. Getting old an cranky. I already did the springs front an rear an it helped a lot but a softer sidewall might help a little more. They just don't have that tough cool look though lol.

I might go 255/75 if I don't go 265/70's. A tad taller an a tad skinnier.

Going for looks is one of the silliest things when it comes to tires. Best to go for your own needs. Best with function over form

 

[Langwilliams]

Going for looks is one of the silliest things when it comes to tires. Best to go for your own needs. Best with function over form

The tires do everything I need an more. Cool looks are a bonus. If they were loud or brick hard they wouldn't have lasted a month before I ditched them. Two tires that are in budget an do the job, deciding factor: cool looks lol.

 

[drano38]

Thanks for all the great advice - didn't want to hear I need to replace the tire, but I also understand its the right answer.
A quick view of the local dealer's web site, some online sites, and reading some posts here, these two are on my short list:
BF Goodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT
Firestone Destination LE3
Both are 34 pounds, and seem to have good reviews.
Does 2 or 3 pounds heavier decrease mpg much? Toyo Open Country H/T II are recommended here often, but are 37 lbs.
I don't off-road, but do drive in SD snow.
I was going to take a pic of my 50 mph spare decal, but its been raining. Hope to post that pic Friday.

 

[Frenchy]

Thanks for all the great advice - didn't want to hear I need to replace the tire, but I also understand its the right answer.
A quick view of the local dealer's web site, some online sites, and reading some posts here, these two are on my short list:
BF Goodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT
Firestone Destination LE3
Both are 34 pounds, and seem to have good reviews.
Does 2 or 3 pounds heavier decrease mpg much? Toyo Open Country H/T II are recommended here often, but are 37 lbs.
I don't off-road, but do drive in SD snow.
I was going to take a pic of my 50 mph spare decal, but its been raining. Hope to post that pic Friday.

Since you know you will deal with the snow I do not recommend the BFG. I got to see that particular one in person and it's not going to do well.

The Firestone Destination LE3 will do alright. The Michelin LTX M&S will handle snow very well. Both are All Seasons.

 

[taralon]

If you do go the Firestone LE3 route, tirerack.com has a pretty good offer on them now with rebate. If you drive mostly in unpacked deep snow/mud an A/T or M/T tire will do well. If the snow conditions are mostly hardpacked snow/ice and or snow up to 3-4 inches a H/T tire with good ice traction ratings would likely be better.

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