As long as the nail isn't allowing air leakage and it is smaller you can continue driving on it for a limited amount of time for a day or so. However, this may lead to the nail puncturing the inner layer of the tyre as you drive. You could limit any further damage by bringing in your car immediately.
If your tire is losing very little air as a result of the nail puncture, you may be able to drive for a hundred miles or more! If it is losing air fast, you might want to drive to your local mechanic as soon as possible. In either case, it's important to be proactive to prevent further damage.
Yes, you can drive with a nail in your tire as long as the tire isn't flat. Stine advises that it's fine to continue driving on a tire with a nail stuck in it.
You may have run over a nail months ago and never realized it, but what's going on inside of your tire sets it up for a blowout. As air seeps out around the nail, your tire weakens. Over time, this wears down the sides of the tire and it will eventually blow if you don't get the nail removed and tire repaired.
Upon discovering a nail in your tire, don't shrug it off and keep driving. You and the tire are on borrowed time, and it will eventually go flat. A minor shift in the position of the nail or more wear on the tire can cause the air to start to seep out. A slow leak will leave the tire flat and you stranded.
Punctured tires will likely need to be replaced if: The puncture is more than a ¼ inch in diameter. There's a puncture in the sidewall or shoulder of the tire. You have multiple punctures that are less than 16 inches apart.
If the hole is in the sidewall or larger than a quarter inch, you may need to put the spare tire on, or call a tow truck to take you to the shop. However, if the damage is minor, you can go ahead and drive yourself. Be cautious—your tire could blow out, which poses a risk to everyone else on the road.
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. Any puncture less than 1/2 inch from the start of the internal steel belt on the shoulder or sidewall of the tire cannot be repaired (highlighted in red).
That's not good for a couple of reasons: 1.) Your tire could blow out, and 2.) if the hole continues to grow, you run the risk of ruining the tire altogether.
If the nail is little and hasn't even perforated the tire, you may remove it; however, be certain it hasn't penetrated the tire treads. If it punctured your tire, take it to a tire shop as soon as possible to get it repaired. Aside from that, there's no need to drive on a flat or blown out tire.
How long does a patched tire last? Like with plugs, patches are said to last from seven to ten years or for the rest of the life of the tire. Again, this tire may not last if the installation goes poorly or there are issues with the location of the hole.
The Soap Test. A soap test is an efficient way to determine a nail puncture's location, especially if it's small and doesn't cause major pressure loss. You can start by spraying soap water on your tire tread. If there's a tire puncture, the spot will let out air — creating air bubbles.
Don't try to remove the nail. If the tire won't hold air, or if the leaking is rapid, you'll need to change it out before driving to get it repaired. You can do this yourself, or you can call roadside assistance to help.
An average of 1/2 inch. It varies considerably with the tire casing design, tread depth and where the nail is trying to go through the tire. DO NOT PULL THE NAIL! If it is holding air well enough to get you to the tire shop.
Can I drive long distance with a plugged tire? Yes, when repaired correctly, driving long distance on a plugged tire is safe. Tire plugs are a quick fix that can last up to 25,000 miles. However, if the plug is at the outer edge close to the sidewall, it's a temporary fix not safe for long distances.
A nail or a screw in a tire can often act just like a plug would. It's plugging the hole. It may not leak or leak very slowly possibly every rotation that it's hitting the ground that could cause a little spurt of air. You may have to manipulate it to cause it to leak.
The location of the nail in your tire will tell you whether it can be repaired or not. A nail lodged in the tire's sidewall or outer tread means the tire will need to be replaced. But if it's stuck in the tread itself, there's a good chance you can repair the tire instead of replacing it.
It could be dangerous to drive when a tire has a slow leak, but sometimes it can't be helped. If you must go in such a situation, keep the speed down as much as possible and stay off highways. If the tire pressure gets too low, you could have a blowout.
Fingernails sometimes fall off when they're damaged — like if they get stuck in a car door. That has to do with what's known as the matrix, the spot at the bottom of your nail that's responsible for growing your nail. Nails themselves are actually little plates of proteins called keratin.
Punctures larger than a quarter-inch in diameter also can't be effectively and safely repaired. If the tire has a cut or gash, it can only be repaired if it's less than a quarter-inch in length. If the tire is worn and has less than 2/32-inch remaining tread depth, it is unsafe to repair and must be replaced.
You can't tell what damage is there with the naked eye. But you absolutely should not confuse effectiveness with risk. It is pretty safe for you to use a plug to repair a punctured tire if you are moving the vehicle for a short distance. Consequences and risks are situations that occur in the future.
Patching a Damaged Tire
Tire replacement can be expensive. It need not always be the go-to solution whenever you have a flat tire. Patching a tire, if expertly done, can last for seven to ten years. Several tire damages can be fixed with patching.
A properly installed patch will do a great job of allowing the tire to hold air. However, similarly to the plug-only repair, the patch does not fill the injury channel. Therefore, air and moisture could seep into the tire from the tread surface and eventually damage the tire.