Hi,

I heard a strange noise when I was driving home from work today. When I got home I checked out the car and noticed I had a nail in the passenger side rear tire. It entered somewhat vertically in the sidewall of the tire, with the head of the nail almost all the way in, and the bulge of the shaft visible right underneath the surface of the rubber.

I was able to pry it out and it came out cleanly with just a small knick in the rubber where it entered. My question is: Does the tire need to be replaced or am I fine to drive on it? I didn't hear any air escaping when I removed the nail, for what it's worth.

Any help from people who have gotten screws/nails in their sidewalls before would be great. Thanks.

 

A picture would help, but I wouldn't trust a tire with any type of sidewall damage.

 

get a squirt bottle of soapy water and squirt on it to there too see if you see any bubbles... if so it needs replacing...

 

New tire asap

 

duck_dodgers_24_5: I just went and tried your test and didn't see any bubbles. The tire appears to be holding pressure.

 

you can always unmount it and patch it up if u do find where air leaks through.

 

not recommended if there is damage to the sidewall. If it's on the tread area it would be ok.

 

I would not recommend driving on any tire that has a puncher on the sidewall. if it was on or in between the thread yea it could be fixed.. but not the saide wall..

 

side wall is like a rope. If you put some thing in it and start it will tear all the way eventually.. ANd add Pressure and weight OH BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!

 

^ ya if there is any sidewall damage at all it needs to be replaced asap! Most shops won't even patch a sidewall puncture.

 

Best bet is to replace the tire. Always better safe than sorry with a blow out later. Even with no puncture the nail has damaged the composition of the tire. This can lead to a impact break which will look like a bubble forming on the sidewall.

 

oh its on the sidewall. k totally missed that sorry.

 

your best bet is to replace that tire asap...like said in many posts before mine...any type of sidewall damage replace tire...i seen too many cars at work with sidewall damage and customers believe it will be ok and they're back at the dealer within days

 

Save up some cash and get some kick ___ tires for Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone!!

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I have to say that even though it looks alright visually, it's worrisome.

FreedomOne: Great idea! I would be happy to put some KDW-2s or Toyos on but my stockers only have ~5k miles on them!

 

^^ well it sucks that you got a nail. If it is in the sidewall, very worrysome! I'd get that checked out and if it's non-repairable (if it's in the sidewall, it's non-repairable), then looks like you're getting a Christmas present for the tc, new tires.

I know it sucks more $$$ for stuff, but you'll not like it if that sidewall blows while you're on the highway, ouch! Plus the KDW-2's and toyos are better than the stockers, so you'll have more fun so look at it that way.

 

yes, new tire. any sidewall damage is unrepairable. i work at firestone and work on tires and were not allowed to patch or plug sidewall punctures (imagine putting a bandaid on a knuckle) so get a new tire. if you notice it is loosing air, put the spare on. DO NOT put "fix a flat" or anything like that in it. just get a new tire.