Crussader

Picked up a nail. I thought I'd have Discount Tire patch it for now instead of running around on zero pressure until I have time for a permanent solution. Anything different about these tires that prevent them from being patched?

STRMLNE

3sACROWD

DON'T run around with zero pressure. You will ruin the tire. It should be repairable.

jackthelad

As long as it's mid-tread and not into the sidewall, a plug kit will work fine. I had to plug one of my Pilots when they were almost new a few years back. Works perfectly. My old Firestone SZ 250's had probably a total of 6 plugs in them during their lifetime - never lost pressure, never a problem. Except that the big box home stores tend to have nails and screws scattered in their parking lots - some people are just plain careless.

Tires stores will tell you one of two things - if they are honest, they will plug it for you. If they are not so honest they will tell you you have to buy a new tire "right now". From them, of course.

Crussader

It just happened. Haven't asked them yet.

Crussader

I won't be driving on them for long. It got down to zero about a mile before I got to work today. Have to get it home tonight and then to Discount Tire on Saturday which is about 35 more miles. (Driving wife's car next couple of days). Any idea how much damage I will have done by then?

uz1290

I would at least try to air it up at a gas station or something if you're going to ride around on it some more, or just enough air to get back home.
Also, I would maybe look into just removing the tire from the car yourself and take that in another car to not have to risk riding around with zero pressure.

One last comment, as counter-intuitive as it sounds, if you've picked up a screw versus a nail, I've had luck with very slightly turning in a screw more into the tire. It seems to actually serve as a plug in the meantime while I am able to get a patch. I've done this multiple times, but I would verify to make sure there is actually a screw and not a nail. I wouldn't try this with a nail.

Crussader

Good idea. I didn't think of that. Although, it was losing about a pound of pressure every two miles this morning. Still, it would be better than nothing.

Risk? I thought this was the whole purpose of having run flats.

3sACROWD

Runflats are intended to allow you to drive to a safe place to have your tire repaired or replaced. IIRC a runflat is good for about 50 miles with no air. The more you drive without air, the more likely you will be replacing vs repairing. You are breaking down the side wall as you drive with no air.

feeder82

Having experienced Discount tires repair policy, I doubt they will fix that tire, especially since you have driven that many miles. Each tire manufacturer has a limit on miles driven. Good luck

twostepdon

I had Discount Tire repair a Michelin Pilot run flat yesterday. There is a plug in the tire where the nail was but they also took the tire off the rim. They may have put a patch on the inside as well.

GCG

Then it's probably a patch-plug combination.

bighank

I had a screw in my PS2 and removed the wheel from the car. Removed the screw and used a tubeless tire plug kit to fix it. Used the reamer to enlarge the hole. put rubber cement in the hole, then used the plug insertion tool to put in a plug. My dad used to use a match to ignite the end of the plug and let it burn for about 5 seconds then wait about 5 minutes and use a pair of diagonal side cutters to trim off all but about 1/4 inch of the plug sticking above the tread; My repair was about 10 years ago and the tire has run 20 or 30 thousand miles with no problems.
I agree with the comment to inflate the tire so you don't ruin the sidewall by running with no air. You can overinflate the tire to 40# or 45# if it will hold air. If not don't drive any further on it deflated but remove it and patch it as described above. Total cost if repair about $5.00, The price of a tubeless tire repair kit.

mrlmd

Plugs work but a patch on the interior is more reliable.
Funny story - I stopped for gas years ago on the way to driving my brother to the airport in my Saturn Vue, and noticed my left rear tire was quite flat. On inspecting the tire I found a deck screw protruding from the tire. Not wanting to, or having the time to, change the tire, I gobbed some 5200 adhesive/sealant caulk I had in the car all over the exposed screw and area of the puncture and screwed it in flush with the tire. I filled the tire up with air and proceeded to the airport. I sort of forgot about that repair for a while and it wasn't 'till months later when I remembered, I had it repaired with a plug. The head of the screw was worn down totally flat with the surface of the tire and it never leaked any air at all in a couple of thousand miles. Not recommended though, either way, get it fixed right.

UM Rebel

It's best to avoid plugs. Have them take it off the rim and patch from the inside.

ncali

I just found out that driving on a runflat with zero air tears up the inside of the sidewall
It got me home and looked undamaged from the outside