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I've read numerous varying opinions on to repair or not repair run-flats, it seems very mixed. Overnight my right rear went flat in the garage, 6 PSI. I can see the nail hole, it's pretty small, center tread, maybe 2-3mm. The tire is a Continental Extreme Contact 285/35ZR19 run flat (300$+). 13000 miles on the set and car, tread still good, '05 base C6, owned for 3 months. Please, someone advise me, I'm stuck in my garage, no compressor, jack or no spare. I do have AAA so thats nice; last car I had same thing happen, they came to my house and patched/inflated it there for 20$ no issue, but that wasn't a run flat and I shudder at the idea of this lowrider going up a flatbed.
I do have a "express road hazard tire coverage" warranty for 3 years that came from the dealership (via third party), which, I dont know what that covers or how long that will take, they're also 60 miles from me and they messed up my car many times "working" on it, I really dont wanna have them touch it. Really hoping I can have it repaired at a tire shop or my house and not have to deal with the delays and telephone games from both parties. What would you guys do?
That’s a patch job for sure. Find somebody with a jack and a stand that can come over and lift up that corner and just take the wheel over to a place like discount tire. They repair nail punctures for free as long as it’s not near the sidewalls. Since you said center tread you should be good to go.
The strength of a run flat is in the sidewall, so yeah, I'd patch it.
Get yourself a jack and jacket ands at harbor freight, take the wheel and tire off, take it to adiscount tire or amerocas tore, and theyll patch it. Do not have it plugged. Have it patched.
In before someone tells you that you're tires are probably too old and are likely to grenade and wipe out a city block and so you need to replace them anyways.
I've read numerous varying opinions on to repair or not repair run-flats, it seems very mixed. Overnight my right rear went flat in the garage, 6 PSI. I can see the nail hole, it's pretty small, center tread, maybe 2-3mm. The tire is a Continental Extreme Contact 285/35ZR19 run flat (300$+). 13000 miles on the set and car, tread still good, '05 base C6, owned for 3 months. Please, someone advise me, I'm stuck in my garage, no compressor, jack or no spare. I do have AAA so thats nice; last car I had same thing happen, they came to my house and patched/inflated it there for 20$ no issue, but that wasn't a run flat and I shudder at the idea of this lowrider going up a flatbed.
I do have a "express road hazard tire coverage" warranty for 3 years that came from the dealership (via third party), which, I dont know what that covers or how long that will take, they're also 60 miles from me and they messed up my car many times "working" on it, I really dont wanna have them touch it. Really hoping I can have it repaired at a tire shop or my house and not have to deal with the delays and telephone games from both parties. What would you guys do?
Based on this photo the damage should be repairable. The puncture size itself is what would be the determining factor. If the shaft of the nail is over 1/4" it would not be repairable however this looks small enough. We would love to have you stop by one of our store locations. PM on the way
Just after purchasing my 2013 GS, I suffered the same problem with a nail in the right rear RF tire. Took the car to my local Discount Tire and they dismounted the tire, plugged it, remounted & rebalanced. No problems until it was time to replace the worn rear tires and OF COURSE I went back to DT to purchase and mount a nice new set of Michelin PS RF tires.
Don't think you will go wrong on letting DT evaluate & repair.
Do it the correct way - have the tire dismounted from the rim and a patch plug installed.
The plug and adhesive WAS the correct way for over 50 years!! There's absolutely nothing wrong with a plug repair. Now, if you're going to run mile events at 180mph, yeah, a patch would be better......
I've read numerous varying opinions on to repair or not repair run-flats, it seems very mixed. Overnight my right rear went flat in the garage, 6 PSI. I can see the nail hole, it's pretty small, center tread, maybe 2-3mm. The tire is a Continental Extreme Contact 285/35ZR19 run flat (300$+). 13000 miles on the set and car, tread still good, '05 base C6, owned for 3 months. Please, someone advise me, I'm stuck in my garage, no compressor, jack or no spare. I do have AAA so thats nice; last car I had same thing happen, they came to my house and patched/inflated it there for 20$ no issue, but that wasn't a run flat and I shudder at the idea of this lowrider going up a flatbed.
I do have a "express road hazard tire coverage" warranty for 3 years that came from the dealership (via third party), which, I dont know what that covers or how long that will take, they're also 60 miles from me and they messed up my car many times "working" on it, I really dont wanna have them touch it. Really hoping I can have it repaired at a tire shop or my house and not have to deal with the delays and telephone games from both parties. What would you guys do?
I guess I'm a bit confused......If you have a runflat, that's what they're for, to drive on long enough to get you to the nearest tire shop for repair? Why do you need a compressor and jack for a runflat??? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of having one in the first place????
The plug and adhesive WAS the correct way for over 50 years!! There's absolutely nothing wrong with a plug repair. Now, if you're going to run mile events at 180mph, yeah, a patch would be better......
Patch plug is still the best way to repair. The patch portion seals and keeps moisture out from the interior of the tire and the plug/adhesive stops moisture from the outside. I have run tires that I plugged for multiple years and multiple thousands of miles when I was younger, and had no issues. Today I will pay the $20 if I have to so that I have that little bit of additional peace of mind.
Well, I see your point on the run flats. Doesn’t make sense! I thinking when you saw the tire flat on the ground, you thought what the heck, are you sure it’s a run flat? Somewhere on the tire it will say “run flat or zero pressure “ check it out. Why can’t you just drive it to a repair shop if they are run flats? Using the patch is the best way to go. Hopefully none of the supportive steel used is not damaged but a little hole like that I doubt it. The more I look at the picture, you are showing a slit more than a hole , you sure that’s were it is leaking? Wet it and see if it bubbles. Usually a puncture has what punctured it still there. Good luck
Last edited by New Vette Man; Jul 11, 2022 at 01:49 PM.
When you patch or plug a “Z” speed rated tire you lose the speed rating. Always plug patch from the inside. If your date codes are over 10 years, most places will not repair them.
Even if it is a run flat tire, I wouldn't drive on it flat unless I absolutely had to. It puts a lot of stress on the inside of the tire and can ruin it. And don't bother asking how I know.
I had the OEM Goodyears on when I bought my car, 5 years old at the time with 10K miles. Within a year I got 2 flats, different tires, I limped home each time and plugged them. Ran the tires for another 3K miles and replaced with Michelins. No problems, I don't race or spin the tires so it was mostly normal driving with the occasional blast. Hell, I plugged my motorcycle tire and got an extra 2K miles out of it. Not for everyone I know but it worked for me and I'd do it again, what's the difference between plugging your Toyota tire or the Vettes? Of course, YMMV!
I guess I'm a bit confused......If you have a runflat, that's what they're for, to drive on long enough to get you to the nearest tire shop for repair? Why do you need a compressor and jack for a runflat??? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of having one in the first place????
Even if it is a run flat tire, I wouldn't drive on it flat unless I absolutely had to. It puts a lot of stress on the inside of the tire and can ruin it. And don't bother asking how I know.
Repair a runflat or replace?
