Have you just seen something shiny lodged in your tire? Or maybe you’ve heard a rhythmic clicking sound from your tire as you drive? If so, it could be a nail embedded in your normal-looking tire.
It’s not uncommon to have a nail in your tire but not flat. Even if your tire looks okay, you can rest assured of hidden problems ahead. It’s essential to inspect the damage and fix it as soon as possible.
So, what can I do if I have a nail in my tire but not flat? Worry not – this guide helps you understand what to do next if you encounter this issue. You’ll also know how long to keep driving with a nail lodged in your tire.
Question: What to Do if I Have a Nail in My Tire But Not Flat
A nail lodged in your tire can be dangerous if not examined and fixed on time. Sometimes, the stuck nail might have a slow leak that’s not noticeable at early stages. But like any other tire damage, you’ll need to pull over and evaluate the tire’s condition.
If the tire is not flat, the following DIY steps will help you resolve the issue:
Locate the Nail
The urgency of tire repair or replacement will depend on the location of the nail in your tire. Usually, the damage is less severe if the nail is in the tread area. The tread area has reinforced rubber and steel belts to enhance tire stiffness.
In most cases, this part of your tire will handle a small nail without a sudden loss of air pressure. However, the chances of a flat tire or blowout are significantly higher if the nail is in the sidewall.
The sidewalls don’t feature reinforced rubber and steel belts. This part needs to be flexible, making it more susceptible to serious damage in case of a puncture.
Check the Size and Depth of the Puncture
The damage’s severity depends on the nail’s size and how deep it penetrates your tire. Sometimes, a small nail lodged in the tire tread might not have gone through to cause a leak. In this case, you can leave the nail as it is and drive to a tire technician for a thorough inspection.
Alternatively, you can pull the nail out and continue driving. If the nail is big, it might have gone through the tire. You must fix this puncture immediately to avoid weakening your tire’s structure.
Examine the Tire Pressure
The pressure on the punctured tire will let you know what to do next. If your tire is already flat, patching the puncture or replacing the tire might help. However, if air pressure doesn’t escape quickly, you’ll know if to continue driving or fix the puncture.
A tire pressure gauge will help you know if air is escaping quickly. It’ll also help you know if it’s safe to keep driving to the nearest tire shop. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, there are temporary tire fixes you can use to help you get back on the road.
Fix the Tire
You’re done with the tire inspection. Depending on the damage, you know whether to fix the puncture, drive to a repair facility, or call roadside assistance.
If you have a tire repair kit, you can fix the puncture by following simple steps. Remember, you can only repair a nail puncture whose diameter is not more than 0.25 (1/4) inches. The puncture must not be on the sidewall.
Repairing a tire whose puncture is large or on the sidewall can lead to a blowout. You’ll end up paying more for tire replacement or causing an accident.
Answer: How to Fix a Nail Puncture in Your Tire
So, how can I fix a nail in my tire but not flat? Here are 8 steps to fix a nail puncture in your tire. But first, here are the tools and materials needed:
- Car jack
- Lug wrench
- Needle nose pliers
- T-handle reamer
- Tire plug
- Rubber cement
- Scissors
- Air compressor
After gathering the above tools, ensure your car is on a flat surface. Turn off the engine and wear your work gloves. Then, follow these steps to fix your tire.
Step 1: Take off the Affected Wheel
With the help of your lug wrench, loosen the affected wheel’s lug nuts. You should not remove the lug nuts. Next, jack up your car and ensure the problematic tire is off the ground. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel.
Step 2: Pull Out the Nail
Locate the nail in your tire and remove it. In this case, you’ll use your needle nose pliers to pull out the nail.
Step 3: Ream the Puncture Hole
Insert the T-handle reamer into the puncture hole and wriggle it several times. This process helps to make the puncture hole round and uniform. Keep checking the hole while working the reamer back and forth until you have a round and uniform hole.
Step 4: Prepare Your Tire Plug and Reamer
Start by threading the tire plug through the split eye of your T-handle reamer. Then, apply some rubber cement to the tire plug.
Step 5: Insert the Tire Plug into the Hole
Insert the reamer with the tire plug into the hole. Push it until two-thirds of the tire plug is inside. Then, pull out the T-handle insertion tool, leaving part of the tire plug in the tire.
Step 6: Trim the Excess Tire Plug
Your scissors will help you trim part of the plug outside the tire. You’ll need to trim the plug and ensure it is uniform with the tire treads.
Step 7: Inflate the Tire
After plugging the punctured hole, inflate the tire to the manufacturer-recommended PSI. A portable air compressor will help you get the job done. Use your tire pressure gauge to confirm your tire has the recommended air pressure.
Step 8: Reinstall the Wheel
Voila! You’ve fixed a nail puncture in your tire. Now it’s time to reinstall the wheel and tighten the lug nuts. Next, slowly lower your car until the wheel touches the ground, and remove the jack. Lastly, tighten each lug nut with your wrench.
After this repair, drive and regularly monitor the air pressure to see if the tire plug is working its magic. In case of air leakage, drive to a tire repair shop to get the tire fixed or replaced.
Question: Can You Fix the Nail Puncture With a Tire Sealant?
The good news is that there’s a straightforward way to fix the puncture temporarily. With a tire sealant, you don’t need a tire plug to fix the hole. Some tire sealants will also inflate the tire while sealing the puncture.
You only need to remove the nail, put the sealant through the tire valve, and let it do its work. The sealant will cover the punctured hole and inflate your tire. Such a fix buys you more time – up to 3 days – to drive to a tire technician.
Question: How Long Should One Drive On a Plugged Tire?
Plugging a tire should be a temporary fix to help you in an emergency or buy enough time to get to a service center.
Generally, you can drive up to 8 miles on a plug. Check tire pressure while driving to see if the plug is still working. Moreover, drive slowly and avoid hitting objects like curbs or stones with the plugged tire.
Wrapping Up
What should I do if I have a nail in my tire but not flat? Thankfully, this is an issue you can fix on your own in a few minutes. The first thing to do is to locate the nail and assess the damage. Doing so will help you know whether to repair the puncture or change the tire.
You can repair the puncture with a tire plug or a sealant, depending on your preferred choice. But in both cases, you must drive to a service center for further inspection. A tire technician will help patch your tire or replace it.