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can Lucid tires be plugged?

Bummer, I get to find out tomorrow if Discount Tire will plug my tire or not. Discount is close today for the holiday. Called 2 places that were open and both said no over the phone.

PXL_20250526_024852790.resized.webp


For anyone interested in the specifics of plugging a tire with sound dampening foam, I found this:


Also, Tire Rack did a test and the sound dampening foam makes a very minimal difference. Maybe 1 dB difference.
 
Last edited:
M5thSD said:
Bummer, I get to find out tomorrow if Discount Tire will plug my tire or not. Discount is close today for the holiday. Called 2 places that were open and both said no over the phone.

View attachment 29186

For anyone interested in the specifics of plugging a tire with sound dampening foam, I found this:


Also, Tire Rack did a test and the sound dampening foam makes a very minimal difference. Maybe 1 dB difference.
Click to expand...
It’s not the sound that you’re worried about, but the “thunk” every time it rolls over the cutout piece of foam. If it doesn’t thunk, or it does and you don’t mind it, go for it.
 
I have been plugging my own tires pretty much I started driving 50+ years ago. I have never had a plug fail. Never. Occasionally I get a puncture that isn't repairable--usually something close to the sidewall, or as happened recently, a screw/nail that went in sideways causing a long gash.

I find it annoying that tire places/manufacturers just tell you to replace the tires (two or four at a time) like it is no big deal. Tires for our cars can run $1,000 a pair. It blows my mind that experts tell us we need to spend $1k because we got a nail in our tread.
 
Borski, my point was it sounds like the sound proofing thing is total BS. 1 dB difference is worthless. I am also assuming a decent Tire Tech is going to replace the foam piece that needs to be removed. That video shows it looks pretty simple.
 
L-Dude said:
I have been plugging my own tires pretty much I started driving 50+ years ago. I have never had a plug fail. Never. Occasionally I get a puncture that isn't repairable--usually something close to the sidewall, or as happened recently, a screw/nail that went in sideways causing a long gash.

I find it annoying that tire places/manufacturers just tell you to replace the tires (two or four at a time) like it is no big deal. Tires for our cars can run $1,000 a pair. It blows my mind that experts tell us we need to spend $1k because we got a nail in our tread.
Click to expand...
Any particular method/brand you recommend?
I found this youtube describing 5 brands.
Thanks.
 
EVCar said:
Any particular method/brand you recommend?
I found this youtube describing 5 brands.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Not really--it is pretty basic. I have a good repair kit in each of our cars. You'll also need a jack (and inflator), because it is REALLY difficult plugging a tire that is on the car. You do want to buy fresh plugs and rubber cement every year or so.
 
L-Dude said:
Not really--it is pretty basic. I have a good repair kit in each of our cars. You'll also need a jack (and inflator), because it is REALLY difficult plugging a tire that is on the car. You do want to buy fresh plugs and rubber cement every year or so.
Click to expand...
Thanks.
Will start packing a repair kit for road trips.
 
M5thSD said:
Borski, my point was it sounds like the sound proofing thing is total BS. 1 dB difference is worthless.
Click to expand...
The foam doesn’t reduce overall noise level (except by about 1dB, as you mentioned) but absorbs certain undesirable (low frequency) noises. It changes the overall sound profile, and not necessarily the total noise level.

Here's a Model X tire with and without acoustic foam, as measured by Tesla's noise team:
1748308669436.webp


For reference, 3 dB is a doubling of sound level, as dB is not a linear scale. Acoustic foam in the tires reduces the peak at 6 dB at 200 Hz.

So you're right; the overall noise level won't change all that much. But it will be less grating and less intrusive. Whether you hear it or care is entirely a separate issue. :)

M5thSD said:
I am also assuming a decent Tire Tech is going to replace the foam piece that needs to be removed. That video shows it looks pretty simple.
Click to expand...
In my experience, they have never done that. YMMV!
 
M5thSD said:
For anyone interested in the specifics of plugging a tire with sound dampening foam, I found this:


Also, Tire Rack did a test and the sound dampening foam makes a very minimal difference. Maybe 1 dB difference.
Click to expand...
That YouTube was amazing. Incredibly professional. I guess I am lucky no one died from my tire repairs as a kid.
 
Wow, great result from Discount Tire. They plugged the tire. I asked about sound proofing foam and they indicated they peel it from one side up to the damage, then plug the hole and put the foam back in place.

Shockingly, they didn't charge me for the fix. Gave me the fob and said your good to go. I asked what I owe and the tech said repairs are free.
 
M5thSD said:
Wow, great result from Discount Tire. They plugged the tire. I asked about sound proofing foam and they indicated they peel it from one side up to the damage, then plug the hole and put the foam back in place.

Shockingly, they didn't charge me for the fix. Gave me the fob and said your good to go. I asked what I owe and the tech said repairs are free.
Click to expand...
Nice!
 
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