Nail in tire - Options?

[Fry]

My tire pressure light went off yesterday. This morning, I had to chance to get to gas station to put more air in the tire. Then, I found a nail in there. The pic is attached. Based on the location of the nail and a quick google search, I don't think it can be patched. If someone thinks otherwise, let me know.

I have a 2012 Sonic LTZ (17" wheels), and those are stock tires with 22000 miles on them.

Money is the big concern, but I don't want to hurt myself later with crappy tires. This is especially true since my wife is about to (hopefully) get into a nursing degree program that'll last for the next several years.

Cost, driveability, and tire life are all concerns. I have a feeling that I may want to get a set of 4 tires because the stock ones are terrible. What should I be paying for a set of tires? Are there any charges to watch out for? I'm a bit inexperienced with buying tires, and I want to avoid both getting ripped off or buying poor tires.

 

[$ub$onic]

I plug nail holes, if done correctly, they will never be a issue.

Just plug it and keep on going.

 

[Prospector]

Ditto on the plug. Worst that can happen is it doesn't work. Then you have a flat tire.

We keep one of those $10 compressors in the trunk and a plug kit in with the spare.

 

[Stew]

That is literally the exact same spot I got a nail in my tire about a year ago. Took it to Les Schwab and they patched it for free. It is on the edge of being non repairable but it is still in the tread area.

 

[CheapFuneral]

Plug it. Someone stabbed a side wall, like right in the middle (I know how to make friends apparently) I plugged it and never had an issue. I also have plugged my wife's encore tires because she has magnets hooked to them or something.


**** you auto correct!

 

[mitdr774]

That is an unsafe place to plug a tire. Not allowed to plug a tire in the outside tread block or sidewall. It is a safety issue. No tire shop or dealer that has insurance will plug a tire there here.

 

[Hdmanny]

I agree that you should be able to repair but would recommend a plug patch. They are like a patch but also has a plug that goes thru the hole, usually they vulcanize the patch. If done correctly it should last the life of the tire.

 

[CheapFuneral]

Most shops won't patch that far out on the tire like mitdr said, but I wouldn't worry about putting a plug in it.


**** you auto correct!

 

[MidnightClub3]

Use it as an excuse to get better tires

 

[The Champ]

That is an unsafe place to plug a tire. Not allowed to plug a tire in the outside tread block or sidewall. It is a safety issue. No tire shop or dealer that has insurance will plug a tire there here.

This!

Tires aren't that expensive compared to what you can lose.

 

[Blue Moon Sonic]

I had something like this happen while driving down towards Madison on university ave in my stang. Next thing you know I'm taking a right turn and as i'm turning my tire popped off the rear wheel and my ass end was swinging happily side to side. I managed to get it off the road and the car jacked up to put the spare on and I found a 3 inch long hex fastener with a washer stuck in that same spot. The damn thing was so wedged in there it was barely noticeable. Next day I had to buy 2 new tires for the rear just to keep the treads the same in the back. Do not ask how I didn't damage the actual wheel itself. That one is still a mystery.

Lesson learned, Check your tires every 3 days and if you get a clicking sound on the road from the tires making contact for more than 30 minutes. Pull over and do a full inspection of each tire to make sure there's nothing puncturing it.

 

[CheapFuneral]

When I worked at the dealer, I found an entire fork on the inside of a flat tire. You would be amazed will actually go all the way thru without stopping.


**** you auto correct!

 

[Hdmanny]

It is safer than the space saver tires I see people driving on doing 70 on the highway.

 

[LTZ ICE]

Patching a tire is the only way to go. Plugs can screw up the steel cords creating uneven wear and vibration.

 

[CheapFuneral]

Patching a tire is the only way to go. Plugs can screw up the steel cords creating uneven wear and vibration.

But it's unlikely they can repair that tire anyway. It's unlikely there will be an issue with a plug but uneven wear or vibes are better than buying a tire if don't have the money.


**** you auto correct!

 

[Fry]

Alright, update!

Based on some feedback, I gave a call to a local business I went to before I bought my Sonic. I haven't been in a while because everything I've done on the Sonic was done myself or at the dealer.

They scheduled me an appointment for this morning, patched the tire, and rotated the tires for a total of $26.50. They gave me the rotation for free, which is nice considering I didn't buy those tires from them.

Attached you can see where the nail was, and it looks and drives great. Since the tires were rotated, the injured tire went from the front right to the right rear corner. If something does happen, it'll be much less of a hazard. I'm not too concerned though, as the guys who work there do great work.

Thank you all for your feedback and support!