I have a feeling there's a lot more plugs (running around, unpatched) and that's based on almost 40 years of driving and plugging tires. I was plugging my own tires when you were still crapping green, kid.. But all kidding aside, there's has to be tons of tires sporting plugs only.
Having owned a construction business for quite a few years forced me to get trucks (and men) back on the road as quick as possible...so if I could roll up, plug a tire, fill it with air and be ready to roll, that's how it went. I can't honestly remember a plug failing...
hope you patched tiares betar than you speeled college boy....lol..."permanent"
Just because you got by on tire plugs doesn't mean they're the right permenant fix. You can throw some thicker oil in a older vehicle (won't work as well in modern vehicles with Variable Valve Timing) with worn rings, but that doesn't "fix" the problem, it delays the inevitable.
The RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) has guidelines and an entire website devoted to informing and educating the public, industry, and professionals on proper tire installation, handling, repair, ect. They didn't go through all this trouble to make money off of you; they mainly did it to keep people from putting half a dozen plugs in a worn tire and then endangering others because of it.
I regularly see failed plug patches that leak, I also see many plug patches in side walls on tires you can tell have been driven far too long after the repair. Plugs are a temporary repair as detailed by almost every tire manufacturer, shop, and sometimes even states. While the plug itself is not a bad repair it is prone to improper installation, leaks, damage, and/or endangering others by people using it as a permanent solution to extend the life of tires that should not be used any longer.
I encourage you to read up on the subject, there's plenty of articles explaining why a plug/patch combo is the proper repair for a tire and why there are non-repairable zones on a tire. I'm surprised that you haven't dealt with a lawsuit from an employee who was forced to use a vehicle with a temporary repair, either they were very loyal or very stupid.
RMA: Rubber Manufacturers Association ? The national trade association for tire manufacturers that make tires in the U.S.
Bottom line is that plugs are temporary repairs meant to get you to a safe area and/or repair shop without towing under certain circumstances. They are often abused and improperly done; even when everything is done properly I have seen them leak. It all comes back to "just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should."
As for the OP, Fix-A-Flat works okay for most punctures. But many shops will charge extra for the clean-up and you can gum up the TPMS sensors. It is a royal pain to clean up a tire & rim with Fix-A-Flat in it, but if its all you got; roll with it.
