
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...
What to do if you have 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 to take a nail out of a tire?
Method 3 Method 3 of 3: Using a Tire Plug Kit Download Article
- Buy a tire plug kit to temporarily plug the hole in your tire in an emergency. ...
- Remove your tire if you can't easily access the nail. ...
- Determine if it's safe for your tire to be temporarily plugged. ...
- Run a tire plug through the hole at the end of the insertion needle. ...
- Remove the nail from your tire with needle nose pliers. ...
How to repair a nail hole in a tire?
What Should I Do?
- Check your tire pressure. Always keep a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle. ...
- Have the nail removed and the tire fixed. An often overlooked aspect of tire repair has to do with the steel belts inside the tire’s layers. ...
- Replace the tire if necessary. Unfortunately, there are areas of the tire that cannot be repaired, such as the shoulder and the sidewall.

Can you repair a tire with a nail in it?
Puncture repairs are limited to the center of the tread area. If there are punctures or damage in the shoulder or sidewall of the tire, it is not repairable.
How much does it cost to fix a tire with a nail?
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?
Patches are better than plugs for bigger holes, holes closer to but not the sidewall and holes that aren't completely straight. Note that if you're looking to do tire sidewall repair, a patch will usually not cut it and you'll likely want to replace the tire. Don't patch the tire if it's near the sidewall.
Is it OK to 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.
How long will a tire plug last?
Tire plugging uses a cord to prevent the airhead from escaping. If you are an experienced person, you can avoid damage to your car with simple tips. So, how long does a tire plug last? Most manufacturers say that plug versions can last 7-10 years if installed correctly.
How do you make a homemade tire plug?
1:203:13DIY Tire Plug - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTool. Pull until it's about in the middle and then spread a little rubber cement on both sides ofMoreTool. Pull until it's about in the middle and then spread a little rubber cement on both sides of the plug. String. Yank out the reamer. And begin to force in the plugger.
How much does it cost to put a patch on a tire?
On average, tire puncture repair will cost you between $10 and $20. The repair will involve getting the tire patched. Some tire dealers will repair a punctured tire for free if you purchased your tire from them. It is really a nice service to have at your disposal, and it makes you want to do business with them again.
Is patching a tire worth it?
Sure, repairing the tire might be the most cost-effective option, but not if it's at the expense of the safety of you and your passengers! Industry guidelines usually allow punctures up to 1/4” in diameter to be repaired safely, based on where the damage was done.
How long will tire last with nail in it?
seven to ten yearsOn average, tire experts predict that a proper plug and patch can last from seven to ten years. Although tire patches can last a long time, a tire should never be patched more than once. It can negatively affect the speed rating and potentially cause blowouts.
Is it safe to drive on the highway with a nail in your tire?
If the nail is little and the tire is still retaining air, then yes, it is okay to drive with it in your tire. It's common for drivers to run over nails without even noticing it. If the nail is huge and the tire is losing air quickly, it's best to take it to a tire shop rather than try to fix it yourself.
Can a nail cause a tire blowout?
Road Damage You can blow out a tire when you hit a pothole or run over a large object. You can also blow out a tire if you run over glass, a nail, or hit a curb.
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 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.
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.
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 happens if a tire is unevenly worn?
If your tire is unevenly worn and any of the metal parts inside are visible your tire is not repairable. We can keep going. Basically, if your tire was not safe before the puncture, your tire shop would be crazy to try to repair the puncture. According to NHTSA, hundreds of people are killed each year due to tire failure.
Why can't I fix a flat tire?
Reason 1 Why Your Tire Cannot Be Repaired – You Drove On The Flat. Modern tires have an inner structure of the sidewall that is not designed to support your vehicle when uninflated.
What happens if you have a bubble on your tire?
Even if that is NOT why your tire went flat. If you have any area of the tire worn beyond the tread wear indicators, your tire is not repairable. If your tire is older than the internet, your tire is not repairable.
Can you repair a run flat tire?
Many shops will not repair a run-flat tire that has had a puncture. Although run-flats are designed to get you to a shop or home when you have a puncture, they may not have been designed to then be repaired and continue in service after having been driven when deflated.
Is it crazy to take care of your tires?
Yes, it sounds crazy, but read our story and tell us if you have a better guess. Take care of your tires and they will take care of you. If you have a tire-repair story to tell, feel free to offer it up in the comments below. John Goreham is a life-long car nut and recovering engineer.
Can a tire shop repair a puncture near the sidewall?
If your puncture is near the sidewall you are out of luck. Tire shops need to keep customers safe, and they follow the standard industry guidelines and will not repair a puncture too close to either sidewall. And they should err on the side of caution. Most do.
