PLEASE do not do the puncture repair with this technique (unless if is a roadside emergency). Have it repaired from the inside with a plug patch. Much safer...

 

My driver's side rear tire got a nail not even 2 months into my ownership. I recommend a patch plug, which requires removal of the tire from the rim. I now have over 9,000 spirited miles with no issues. As many have said, I wouldn't track the car with it but occasional triple digit speeds are safe. I worked for my parents who owned a tire shop growing up and trust me, a patch will hold up significantly better than a plug, especially on wider tires.

 

Why not to patch them with a plug? I’ve done it many times and drive on the track. Have you had one explode or something? Hoosiers are notorious for picking up nails. I’ve done it on all types and never heard of a tire exploding but if it truly happens I would like to know.

 

For all you saying plugs are dangerous...

Anecdotal but in my 20 years of driving plus friends and family, I’ve probably plugged 50 tires and have never had one so much as leak, let alone fail. Even on run flats which aren’t supposed to be pluggable. Mind you this is for street use only, no tracking experience.

I have even heard guys at tire shops advocate against patching because it’s easier to screw up and have it fail (glue patch comes off inside tire), vs the plug which is basically idiot proof, a super sticky tar covered string rammed through the tire.

How could a plug fail? It basically becomes the tire.

I think their is a bit of Porsche FUD afoot

 

Why argue about plugs or strips?

I use Stop & Go Tire Repair Kits. They are half plug and half rubber sealing strip. Best of both worlds.

https://www.stopngo.com/

 

Meh I just use chewing gum. Works great.

 

i just got a nail in my rear tire and it's down to 32 psi and holding steady. i will try to go to Porsche today since i have the tire/wheel protection. two questions

1- does porsche repair the tire or simply replace?
2- if i replace one rear tire should i go ahead and replace the other one (11.5k miles on it)

thanks

 

Let us know what they recommend. (I think I know).

 

In my experience: No, they won't repair/Yes

 

Your Question #1: A Porsche dealer likely will not repair the tire. They will tell you to replace it. They might even say it cannot be patched. But that's because they have a liability issue if they patch it. Your car's tires are designed and rated to sustain the driving speeds and G-loads your car is capable of. If the tire is patched, it will no longer be rated at that level of performance. So Porsche will not patch it. Makes sense for them, but expensive for you. However, as long as the nail is in the middle of the tread (i.e., not on or near the sidewall), the tire can be patched just like any other tire and if you read through the several threads on this topic you'll see many people have patched their 911's tires with no ill consequences. I am one of them - the front left P-Zero on my 991.1 C2S was patched 5 years ago and it's been perfect. HOWEVER, and this is important, I would patch a tire only on a car driven relatively normally on the streets. I would not patch a tire on a car that is or might be tracked or if the car is driven at insane speeds and G-forces, But if you drive your car relatively normally, even if you break into triple digits every so often or attack the twisties in the mountains, a properly patched tire should be fine.

Your Question #2: I would replace both at the same time. I always replace tires in pairs, unless the other good tire is practically brand new - under 1k of miles on it. A 911 rear tire in my experience should last 15-18k mi, if not driven aggressively. If you have a heavy foot, your rears will wear faster. If you don't replace that 11.5k mile tire, your rears will never match as you'll be replacing the 11.5k mi tire in about 7k mi and so your currently new replacement tire will then have 7k mi mileage on it. You might not feel the difference, but the staggered tires with their uneven wear pattern will have different grip and performance. So, replace in pairs. And ask for a discount when you do.

 

My dealership repaired patch/plugged by rear tire (P-Zero) that picked up a screw

That was their recommendation (assuming location of screw) based on the tires having only 5k miles on them and showing minimal wear.

 

thanks guys, i'll let you know what the dealership says. i got about 12k miles on the rears so i'm thinking that if they replace the one with the screw that'd be better and i'll pay to have the other rear done

 

I hit a screw and got a flat on the center of a P Zero tire.

Patched it and went to two autocross events so far with it. Not a problem so far. Repair and drive in confidence!

 

I have tracked on patched tires on more than one occasion. I know people say that you shouldn't, but I have never had a problem.

 

They'll probably tell you to replace the entire car...