
How to Repair a Nail in Your Tire
- Method 1 Getting the Hole Patched Professionally Download Article. Visit a tire service technician for a permanent fix.
- Method 2 Having Your Tire Replaced Download Article. Measure the size of the hole in your tire to see if it's fixable.
- Method 3 Using a Tire Plug Kit Download Article. Buy a tire plug kit to temporarily plug the hole in...
How much does it cost to fix a nail in tire?
In general, a sidewall tire repair will cost somewhere around $20 or more, depending on the location of the tear. Most tire repairs, unless you opt for a new tire-which experts recommend when the sidewall is involved-cost from $10 to $20.
What to do if you have a nail in your tire?
Here's what you should know if you encounter a nail in your tire:
- The first thing to do if you notice a nail in your tire is do not touch it. ...
- If for some reason you are unable to get to the tire store, know that the longer you drive with a nail in your tire, the worse it can get. ...
- If the hole is small enough, the store may be able to repair the hole instead of having to replace the entire tire. ...
How do I get a nail out of my tire?
- Check & Maintain Recommended Tire Air Pressure Gauge. ...
- Rotate Your Tires. ...
- Tire Tread Depth Chart. ...
- Using Lower & Higher Load Index Ratings. ...
- Avoid Getting Nails in Tires By Watching Where You Drive. ...
- Emergency Towing & Roadside Assistance Services in Wellington, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Loxahatchee & West Palm Beach, Florida. ...
How do you fix a tire nail?
What to Do When You Find a Nail in Your Tire
- Confirm That There Is Indeed a Nail in Your Tire You should first confirm that there is indeed a nail in your tire. ...
- Examine If There Is Anything Out of the Ordinary on the Tire’s Surface Carefully jack your car up enough that you can spin the wheel using your hands. ...
- Don’t Pull the Nail Out

How much does it cost to fix a nail hole in a tire?
While repairing your tire at a shop will run you anywhere between $10 to $20, purchasing your own kit will cost you about $9. Depending on what shop, you might have the pleasure of getting your tire repaired free of charge.
Is it better to patch a tire or plug it?
Plugs, when installed correctly and in the right situations, can help a tire last for up to 25,000 additional miles. But while plugs can be effective, usually patches are considered to be the better, more secure option of the two. The patch/plug combo is the safest and most reliable option.
Can you patch a nail in the tread?
Repairs are limited to the tread area only. For a safe repair, the puncture must be 1/2 inch away or more from the edge of the tire tread where the internal steel belt begins.
How long can you drive on a patched tire?
7-10 yearsIf a tire is patched and repaired according to standard procedures, it can last for 7-10 years. Depending on the use of different one patching methods, the time is not the same, but it is not too much difference that the distance exists.
When should you not patch a tire?
Never repair tires with a tread puncture larger that ¼-inch (6mm). Tires that are worn to the tire's treadwear indicators or to 2/32-inch remaining tread depth in any area of the tread should not be repaired.
How do you plug a hole in a tire?
0:374:48How to repair a flat tire using a tire plug kit | Hagerty DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBasically like a tire rubber material. Press it into the hole. Pull it out a little bit and it sealsMoreBasically like a tire rubber material. Press it into the hole. Pull it out a little bit and it seals up the other way to do things is you can take a patch kit.
Can you leave a nail in a tire?
If you get a Nail in your tire, you should remove it as soon as possible. You can drive short distances with a nail in your tire but you should not just leave it there and continue to drive for a long period of time. It is very unsafe for not only you but the other drivers you share the road with as well.
Can I drive long distance with a plugged tire?
According to many studies, 8 miles is a safe distance to drive on a plugged tire. Plugging is not a long-term fix; it just keeps the wheel moving for the time it takes to find a service center.
Is it safe to drive on a plugged tire?
It is safe to drive with a tire plug for a short time, as the intent of the repair is to allow the car to be drivable so that you can reach the tire store. A plug can only be used on small holes — those up to ¼ inch in diameter. Tire plugs should only be used on the tread of the tire, not on or near the sidewalls.
Is plugging a tire a permanent fix?
Tire Plugs and String Repairs are Temporary Repairs Emergency roadside plug repairs are NOT intended to be a permanent tire repair. Plugs and string repairs are designed to get you back up and rolling long enough to get home or to the nearest service center to perform a proper tire repair.
Can a tire be patched after being plugged?
Repairs cannot overlap. A rubber stem, or plug, must be applied to fill the puncture injury and a patch must be applied to seal the innerliner. A common repair unit is a one-piece combination unit with a stem and patch. Not all tires can be repaired.
Are tire plugs effective?
So, if you plan on racing, off-roading, or just want to go fast, a plugged tire isn't going to work. Over time, it's possible for that small puncture to slowly get larger. This results in a greater loss of air while also increasing your chances of a blowout on a road.
How to fix a hole in a tire?
1. Buy a tire plug kit to temporarily plug the hole in your tire. A tire plug kit will come with all the tools you’ll need to plug your tire, including tire plugs, an insertion needle, and a rasp tool. Keep in mind that plugging your tire is only a temporary solution.
How to remove nail from tire?
Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove the nail from your tire. Use a tire plug kit, which will come with all the tools you’ll need to plug your tire, including tire plugs, an insertion needle, and a rasp tool. Stick the rasp tool, into the hole and turn it back and forth to create an even opening.
How to measure a hole in a tire?
1. Measure the size of the hole in your tire to see if it's fixable. Pull the nail out with needle nose pliers so it's easier to measure the hole. If it's more than 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) across, you won't be able to fix it and you'll need to have your tire replaced.
What to do if you have a nail in your tire?
If you have a nail in your tire, you’ll need to take your vehicle to a tire service technician to get it professionally fixed. Driving on a tire that hasn't been properly repaired by a professional can damage your vehicle and even cause an accident.
How to replace a tire that is punctured?
Refer to the tire replacement recommendations in your owner's manual. 1 Vehicles with all-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive usually require all 4 tires to be replaced at the same time. 2 If you're on a budget, ask your tire service technician if there's any way you can just replace the 1 punctured tire.
How to make sure your tire is inflated?
Inflate your tire if it's flat. Use a portable tire inflator and a gauge to make sure your tire is inflated to the right pressure. If you don't know what the recommended pressure is for your tire, check your owner's manual or look for a sticker on the driver's side door that has the recommended pressure on it.
How big is a nail hole in a tire?
If the hole the nail made is more than 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) across, it's too big to safely plug. You'll need to put on a spare tire or have your car towed to a repair shop. Never use a tire plug in a hole that's too big or a hole that's located on the side or shoulders of the tire.
Is It Safe To Drive With A Nail In Your Tire?
The answer is simple: Yes you can drive A SHORT DISTANCE with a nail in your tire. However, the Nail must be REMOVED. You can't drive with a nail in your tire for a long period of time, it is not safe.
How to Plug A Flat Tire
Many times this will be easy to spot because you'll see a large screw or nail sticking out, however, if you don't its time to try other ways of finding the leak.
Why Get Your Vehicle Serviced At Keystone Chevrolet
For the state of art repair and maintenance in Tulsa, OK, Keystone Chevy service center is always recommended.
How to tell if a tire has a nail?
You should first confirm that there is indeed a nail in your tire. The most obvious sign is that the tire keeps losing tire pressure, even after you pump it full of air using a compressor.
What does it mean when a tire has a nail stuck in it?
In most cases, having a nail stuck in the tire means that the same nail prevents the air from leaking completely. However, note that it will still gradually leak out, so it is necessary to have it repaired. Once punctured by a nail, a tire will already be in a compromised state.
Why do you use tire sealant?
Tire sealants are great because they automatically plug up punctures in your tires. Just make sure that what you are using is not too big. When a nail punctures the tire, the air pressure inside it will also push a bit of the sealant through the hole. It will then proceed to plug up the opening. 2.
What happens if you drive a vehicle with a tire pressure monitoring system?
If you drive a recent model vehicle, it might have a tire pressure monitoring system that will warn you if one of your tires is seriously underinflated. If you notice that one of your tires is somewhat constantly getting deflated faster than the other three, then it might have a puncture.
What happens if you leave a nail in your tire?
The longer you leave the nail in your tire while still using your car regularly, the more you increase the risk of the tire exploding on you and causing you to figure in a major accident.
Why is my tire underinflated?
3. Reduced Acceleration. An underinflated tire will take a lot more effort to roll on the road. The reason is that it tends to drag over the ground. It even worsens if you are running on a flat tire, which means you are basically running on the wheel’s rim.
What to do if your tire valve is not leaking?
2. Examine If There Is Anything Out of the Ordinary on the Tire’s Surface. Carefully jack your car up enough that you can spin the wheel using your hands.
How to take a nail out of a tire
Getting a nail out of a tire is actually quite easy. However, if you’re going to take a nail out of your tire, you need to make sure that you have a plug and patch kit, which you can find at any auto parts store. A plug and patch kit will allow you to fill the void left when you remove the nail.
Should I get the tire replaced after removing a nail?
Knowing how to take a nail out and patch your tire is a great skill to have, and it can really help you out in a pinch. However, just as with a spare tire, a self-patched tire should only be considered a temporary solution.
When to get professional help
However, there are times when you shouldn’t remove a nail and patch the hole. If the nail is in the shoulder or sidewall of the tire, a patch simply won’t hold. Furthermore, if the nail leaves a hole that is larger than a quarter inch, you cannot safely repair it yourself.
Consider roadside assistance
If you're worried about a nail (or something else!) leaving you stranded on the side of the highway, you should consider a roadside assistance plan.
What Causes a Hole in the Sidewall?
Before further discussing how to repair a hole in the tire sidewall, let us first discover how a tire could get a puncture in this area.
How to Fix a Hole in Tire Sidewall
At the beginning of this article, I used “minor hole” to emphasize that severe sidewall damage is beyond repair. Of course, you cannot fix sidewall holes all the time as it depends on how large it is. Generally, you can still remediate a puncture that is 1/4 inch or less.
Plugging a Hole in the Tire Sidewall
As mentioned earlier, plugging and using rubber cement could be the most convenient way to fix the hole in your tire’s sidewall. Let us take a closer look at the process of doing it.
Dangers of Using a Tire with Repaired Hole in the Sidewall
It is never safe to drive a tire that lost integrity because of damage like a hole in the sidewall. The sidewall of your tire plays a crucial role, and if its performance is compromised, it is dangerous.
Conclusion
Patching a hole in the sidewall of a tire is not recommended for safety reasons. However, it can be a simple solution if you bump into a situation where you don’t have any other option, like being far from tire shops to buy a replacement.
