8 minutes, and someone already hit the downvote button? Parent isn't wrong, a patch (and especially a plug) does decrease the structural integrity of the tire, no controversy there. From my previous life as an auto mechanic, many times some of the strands of the steel belt(s) will be broken. And what used to be a solid sheet of rubber now has a hole in it. IIRC, plugging a tire at a minimum knocks off a speed rating.

That's not to say I haven't driven a plugged tire until it's bald. And that's not to say that I wouldn't tell my sister to go ahead and get that pricey tire patched. But if you think that repaired tire is now as good as new, you are wrong. Would I do a track day on a repaired tire? Would I whip my Tesla up to ludicrous speed on a patched tire? Would I ride a plugged motorcycle tire any further than I have to? Fuck no. If I can afford a track day, I can afford a new tire.

Why can’t tires do away with air and use some dense, never flat material? I’ve always wondered, I’m sure there is a good outside physics answer though surely.

Your keyword there is "dense". Rotating weight on a vehicle is basically: bad. But nothing is lighter than air, amirite?

John Dunlop didn't invent the pneumatic tire, but he put it into production. Dunlop's son was getting headaches riding his tricycle, so John D. softened the ride (as pointed out by sibling comment).

And so using air gives us three things that apparently haven't been found with any other material in combination: minimal weight, cushioning, and it can support the weight of the vehicle. If it needs replacing, one need only find an air compressor.

Mostly due to weight, but absorbing impact is another big feature. An air filled tire can absorb a lot of minor road imperfections, a solid tire bike or roller blades can give you an idea of wat a solid tire care would be like.

HN seems to be getting worse with the feels>facts lately. As have the downvotes with no rebuttal. Just slides closer to reddit every day.

And I agree if it's not in the sidewall or something it would definitely at least get you by. until you get a cheap tire.

I’d question the motivations behind that first… hint: money.

Patches when done correctly are more than safe enough for 99%+ of drivers.

I've patched many a tire myself with a kit from Wal-Mart. I have never had a bit of trouble out of any of them.