Had a flat tire a few days ago. Now I'm

[multigraincracker]

Debating my next move.
Picked up a screw and it went completely flat. Was going to take it off and take it in. Getting old and started to struggle with the lug nuts, so I gave that up and just plugged it. Seems ok now, but I’m not going to trust it.
The screw was right on the edge of the tread and almost on the sidewall. Figure the tire place won’t patch it and try to sell me a new tire.
Tires are at least 80% full tread. Thinking I might look for a used one on Graigslist or try a junk yard.
It’s a 2000 van with 15 inch tires, so hard to find these days, even new.

Any educated guesses on the best path to try?
Thanks for reading this.

[multigraincracker]

1. Better add, that it's not my only ride

and not the best mileage. Have a small car for most of my driving. I do need it for large items.

[taxi]

11. Therein lies the larger, unnoticed problem -

Without debating whether patches are better than plugs, or how an improperly inserted one can cause damage to the belts of the tire, it is worth considering whether carrying the larger items, as you mentioned, increases the likelihood of a failure. If it is a rather light van and the loads aren't too heavy, then the risks are less that if if were a larger conversion van and you were hauling items like steel to a scrapyard.

[jimfields33]

2. Just buy two new tires. Safety first.

[LisaM]

4. Absolutely agree.

Tires are nothing to mess with.

[Goonch]

3. I'd put this in the mix: Tire Safety: Expiration Dates

"The fact is that all tires have an expiration date. Surprisingly, many consumers and sellers of tires do not know about tire expiration dates. An uninformed consumer thinks he or she purchased brand new tires when in reality those tires may have been sitting on the shelf for years. Even though the tires were never used on a vehicle, they are still several years old. Every tire has a birth date—the day it was manufactured—and an expiration date that is six years from that manufacture date. Most automobile manufacturers warn drivers to replace vehicle tires after six years. To wait any longer than that is a gamble with tire integrity and is risky for drivers."

https://ag-safety.extension.org/tire-safety-expiration-dates/

[2naSalit]

10. +1

[multigraincracker]

14. Thanks I remember

reading about that.

[Kali]

15. Yikes

I'd be broke if I did that.

[Old Crank]

17. In Germany and France

They do vehicle inspections. Tires and their age are part of the inspection. 10 years and you have to replace them. No matter how little wear. Dealers need to inform buyers in writing how long before the tires have to be replaced.

[japple]

20. Many thanks for this info. Probably would have saved me from having a blowout

on the interstate if I had read it last October!!! It's all good, though it cost me quite a bit.

[walkingman]

5. Seems to me you have 2 options - tube the damaged tire or new tire. I wouldn't trust a used tire.

[sunflowerseed]

6. I ran two with a plug on my daily driver

Until all the tires needed replaced. I've never had a plug leak. I keep a plug kit in my truck and do it myself.

Obviously I vote keep your $$, fuck a corporation and roll with it.

[bucolic_frolic]

7. +1

I've never had a plug leak either. I carry a kit and an inflator. Hardest thing about that system is you need a new tube of rubber cement for each plug because they dry out quickly when opened. In several years they dry out without opening! I have repaired flats on the car. Just ream, cement, plug and inflate.

[walkingman]

8. Never had a problem with a plug either - depends on how close to the sidewall it is.

I would follow these guidelines.

[Silent Type]

13. Me too. Can't stand having to use one of those "space-saver" tires.

[liberal N proud]

9. I recently plugged a tire when I should have replaced the tires

I plugged a tire and litteraly got one week. The tire gave out and left my on the road. My car doesn't have a spare. Different sizes front and back so a spare dose not work.

[yellowdogintexas]

12. did you add the warranty plan that will credit you for the

amount of tread remaining? It is very inexpensive and is a big help if you have to replace the tire. I always get that little warranty.

Check with Discount Tires if you have one near you. They are wonderful for checking out your tire and doing a nice repair on anything they can fix.

Pep Boys sent me to Discount to repair a tire (purchased at Pep Boys) which PB did not think they could repair, but Discount might. They did and it worked well.

[multigraincracker]

16. Thank you every one.

Gave me a lot to think about.
I do have spare, not in the best shape. I’m leaning toward replacing both now.

Plan on moving, somewhere in the S.E. Corner of the in the next year, or 3. Will be about 140 miles or so each way. That means lots of trips, loaded and pulling a single axle trailer.
I love my 23 year van with about 145K miles on it. Think it will make it.
Next step is to find the 15 inch tires. Was at Costco today and they no longer sell them.

[Old Crank]

18. A reminder to check your spare also

When inflating tires and for the dates on them.
It is not alsways the best solution to take the best of the tires you are replacing and using that as a spare.
I had one of those rupture while sitting in the sun on the back of my old Landcruiser.

Plugs have been good for me but not on the sidewall. Too much flex. The shoulder is a grey area. Might be okay until you can get new tires.

[multigraincracker]

19. Thanks. Pretty much the plan now.