i noticed my FE dropped DRASTICALLY

If the tire is still in good shape, take it to a tire shop and have it repaired properly.

Tom

 

Personally, I plug tires myself. It's far easier than removing the tire. I've plugged motorcycle tires as well as high performance tires run on the Autobahn when I lived in Germany. I see no reason not to plug a tire, but some people consider it unsafe and not a real fix. I have never had a problem myself.

 

I plug as well. Just keep an eye on the psi.

Barry

 

Not sure what kind of plug you used. The advice is good. Watch your psi, as mentioned. The problem that can result from plugging a tire, without removing it from the rim, is that you cannot evaluate the damage to the inner liner, although in this case it should be O.K. Another is, if using a string plug, while you may seal the inner liner, you may not have completely waterproofed the hole through tread. If moisture can penetrate the string, it can work it way up into the tire between the inner liner and the tread. Winter weather, freezing/thawing, can play havoc with any moisture that gets into the string. That's why a solid plug inserted from the inside is recommended. That said! Have I used external string plugs? Yes, and without problems! But that doesn't mean it's as good or as safe. Just keep an eye on it, especially during and after any long, high-speed, high load trips, i.e., family if 4, luggage, above normal load. And, I'm sure everyone knows this, but just in case someone reading this thread is unaware, you never plug or patch a tire's shoulders or sidewalls, if the tire will be used on the road.

 

FWIW my experience over the past several decades in various vehicles is that when I start getting flats the tread is getting too thin anyway. If I try to continue running on them I notice the wet weather handling has deteriorated and the thin tread starts picking up screws, nails, and other debris at an increasing rate.

 

That's true, but the example looked like they picked up a screw that was probably setting straight up on it's head. We had a flat on our brand new Michelien MXV4's on our Avalon. Roofing nail. Big flat head, sits up nice and straight.