Nail in run flat
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 347
From: SC
Nail in run flat
I have a nail in the tread area of a front tire. I've read many posts here that it can be patched/plugged from the inside. I've called Michelin and GM. Both said this is true. Called Discount tire today (two locations) and they tell me a run flat can not be repaired. (company Policy)
Can anyone clear this up for me? It's just a small screw. I don't track the car, it's a weekend driver. 2017 base Stingray.
Thanks
Can anyone clear this up for me? It's just a small screw. I don't track the car, it's a weekend driver. 2017 base Stingray.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 26,430
Likes: 493
I have a nail in the tread area of a front tire. I've read many posts here that it can be patched/plugged from the inside. I've called Michelin and GM. Both said this is true. Called Discount tire today (two locations) and they tell me a run flat can not be repaired. (company Policy)
Can anyone clear this up for me? It's just a small screw. I don't track the car, it's a weekend driver. 2017 base Stingray.
Thanks
Can anyone clear this up for me? It's just a small screw. I don't track the car, it's a weekend driver. 2017 base Stingray.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
I wouldn't even take the tire off the car.
Just put a tire plug in the hole and see what happens.
I'm betting it will be just fine, if its not then it shouldn't leave you stranded anyway and you can decide what to do at that time.
Just put a tire plug in the hole and see what happens.
I'm betting it will be just fine, if its not then it shouldn't leave you stranded anyway and you can decide what to do at that time.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 184
Likes: 29
From: Mississauga Ontario
I have a nail in the tread area of a front tire. I've read many posts here that it can be patched/plugged from the inside. I've called Michelin and GM. Both said this is true. Called Discount tire today (two locations) and they tell me a run flat can not be repaired. (company Policy)
Can anyone clear this up for me? It's just a small screw. I don't track the car, it's a weekend driver. 2017 base Stingray.
Thanks
Can anyone clear this up for me? It's just a small screw. I don't track the car, it's a weekend driver. 2017 base Stingray.
Thanks
You'll find more posts here where patching/plugging a run flat wasn't an issue.
Racer
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 407
Likes: 91
From: Chandler Arizona
Discount repaired a Goodyear run flat on my C5 no problem. Depending on the location of the damage they might refuse to repair it. I used the repaired tire for a couple of years without problems. I haven’t tried to get a Michelin repaired however.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 347
From: SC
That's another thing. The guy I talked to at the local Chevy dealer told me the same thing. That it couldn't be repaired. Hopefully, I'm thinking, he's just the guy who answers the phone!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
The policy varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but Michelin does allow one proper repair (inside patch/plug) per tire in the center tread section. The tire retains it's speed rating. However, if the tire has been driven at ZP for more than a few miles, it's likely the integrity of the sidewalls has been compromised to some extent. If it's holding air long enough to get to a tire shop, then you're probably OK.
See link below:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=226
See link below:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=226
Last edited by Foosh; Feb 21, 2018 at 08:37 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 2,506
It is purely a matter of liability. I had the same policy in my tire departments simply because I didn't want to buy a potential problem for a twenty dollar repair. If the tire later fails in an accident or actually causes an accident, the tire repairer is almost certainly facing a long and expensive suit.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
It is purely a matter of liability. I had the same policy in my tire departments simply because I didn't want to buy a potential problem for a twenty dollar repair. If the tire later fails in an accident or actually causes an accident, the tire repairer is almost certainly facing a long and expensive suit.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,024
Likes: 12,406
From: NE South Carolina
I have a nail in the tread area of a front tire. I've read many posts here that it can be patched/plugged from the inside. I've called Michelin and GM. Both said this is true. Called Discount tire today (two locations) and they tell me a run flat can not be repaired. (company Policy)
Can anyone clear this up for me? It's just a small screw. I don't track the car, it's a weekend driver. 2017 base Stingray.
Thanks
Can anyone clear this up for me? It's just a small screw. I don't track the car, it's a weekend driver. 2017 base Stingray.
Thanks
Funny, the BMW Dealer will not patch my wife’s OEM Michelin run flats on her SUV. However the Firestone Dealer in town, who are very carefull and will not by company policy (according to them) patch a hole in the outer tread, fixed her tire with no problem. They say the Firestone defines “to close to the side wall” as the outer tread! That is the reason I bought tire insurance as the outer treads on the Grand Sport are very wide!
As you found, Michelin says one repair allowed in a Vette tire if it is not in or near the side wall.
Last edited by JerryU; Feb 21, 2018 at 08:42 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 247
From: Weatherford TX
I just had local Discount Tire plug my 16MY rear tire that got a roofing nail in it. No questions asked and work done very well with my chrome wheels. You might call Michelin 800 # and see if they can give you a lead on a local repair shop they recommend. Are you near Kerbeck?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 780
Likes: 94
From: Pittsburgh PA
That's what I did; an external plug from my plug gun and it lasted for two years until tire wore out. On my C7 and on the tire's shoulder, too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 1,879
From: Hot Springs AR
I just bought a Safety Seal kit and plug my own punctures. I've only had one fail on me, and that was due to me not trimming enough of the excess plug off and it glued to the floor. 
Other than that I've had absolutely zero problems with plugs. Now, this isn't for autocross or track use, just on the streets.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Other than that I've had absolutely zero problems with plugs. Now, this isn't for autocross or track use, just on the streets.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
LOL .... I can totally see how that would happen, its crazy how some of the simplest things can get you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 122
From: st paul minnesota
I have factory Continental run flats on my Caddy ATS and since the dealer was closer than DT when I saw the TPM indicate dropping to 10# I went to them. $30 later it was repaired and it's been over a year now with no issues. Typical nail in the tread repair. I was not confident the dealership was capable of dealing with a run flat, but they certainly were.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 347
From: SC
Well, to answer all the questions, yes the nail went through, it lost no air so it didn't run on zero pressure to damage the tire.
Ended up taking it to my friends repair shop who repaired it no problems.
Thanks for all the help
Ended up taking it to my friends repair shop who repaired it no problems.
Thanks for all the help
