Something could perhaps poke a tire while you are driving. Uncountable sharp, pointy things are present on every road, and they have the power to alter your day drastically.
Your tire will instantly flatten if you simply run over a screw or a nail. Still, you may ask: what if there is a nail in my tire but not flat?
Even when the tires seem to show no damages, hidden problems are waiting ahead. If you insist on driving with such tires, you will end up replacing a complete tire set.
This post will explain why you should not drive with the tire for a long period and how to check for nails in tires.
Can I Drive With Nail In My Tire But Not Flat?
Generally speaking, you can drive with a nail in tire tread as long as the hole size is small and your tire still holds air.
Suppose the nail is small and hasn’t even pierced the tire; you can remove it.
Just make sure it hasn’t done so into the treads. If it caused a puncture, get it fixed as quickly as possible at the nearest tire shop.
However, once you spot your tire has a puncture and the pressure drops, you need to take action right away to keep yourself and other people safe.
Find a secure stop location before turning on the hazard warning light.
Determine whether the tire is suitable for driving by giving it a visual inspection. In the worst-case scenario, call a towing service and bring your car to a tire repair shop to get it fixed.
When you don’t find any air leak, you can drive yourself to the nearest repair store. To be safe, you should take your time and exercise caution.
How To Check If There Is A Nail In Your Tire
The presence of a nail does not indicate that a tire is flat. But if you don’t notice it right away and have it rectified by a tire technician, it may lead to tire damage.
Here are some signs indicating that there is a nail in your tire.
Reduced Tire Pressure
Persistently loss of air pressure is the most typical indication of a ruptured tire. This shows that the air in your tire is deflating continuously.
Filling the tire with air and using a monitoring device to track tire pressure can help you find a nail in the tread.
Clicking Noise While Driving
When you notice there is an annoying clicking noise while driving, it may signify there’s something stuck in the tire, such as a nail or a screw.
As this small object contacts the tire while spinning, it will create a clicking sound.
Nonetheless, there is a possibility that your car sounds like it has a flat tire but doesn’t; you can check this guide out to understand what causes this problem.
How To Handle A Nail In The Tire
What to do when my tire has a nail in it? Let’s say this is the first time you encounter the problem of having a nail inside your tire; do not panic.
Here is how you can handle the situation with grace.
Examine Your Tire Pressure
When you inspect a small screw or nail in the tire, it’s important to check the pressure to make sure air isn’t escaping the tire quickly.
You can perform this task using a tire pressure gauge.
If you find the tire pressure is dropping low, put on your spare tire as soon as possible until you can get it fixed or changed by a professional.
Meanwhile, in case there’s a nail in tire but not leaking air, go to the closest tire shop to get it mended correctly.
Fix The Tire
Suppose the damage caused by the nail is not too severe, and you have a repair kit with you; you can fix it by yourself.
We have prepared a detailed tutorial in the following section; you can check it out.
On the contrary, if the damage is out of hand and you can’t do anything about it, it would be best to call for help and bring your vehicle to a repair facility.
Once you arrive there, your tire will be dismounted and given a close inspection.
The mechanic will solve your problem in a matter of time, and the price is often quite affordable.
Replace The Tire If Needed
In some circumstances, plugging and patching won’t work, necessitating the replacement of the complete tire.
This occurs when a tire puncture is too big (over 0.25 inches) or when the tire sidewall of the tire cannot be patched.
The tire should be replaced rather than just repaired because doing so could cause damage to the tire or cause it to blow out, which would cost you more money and even cause a severe accident.
Also, pay attention to where you bring your car to get the tire replaced.
If your tire is damaged by a screw or nail, be sure to get it fixed by a qualified mechanic so you may continue to enjoy your journey and stay safe on the road.
How To Fix The Tire On Your Own
To fix the tire on your own, you will need a tire plug or patch kit. Here is what you have to do.
Step 1: Take the tire off if you are able to reach the nail. To do this, use a car jack to raise your vehicle, then undo the lug nuts to remove the automobile tire.
Check out this guide in case you don’t know how to balance tires at home.
Step 2: Once you’ve located the nail, see whether a temporary tire stopper may be used to fix the tire puncture.
Keep in mind that a temporary tire stopper is only effective against tiny tread punctures.
Step 3: Take off the nail using the needle nose pliers.
Step 4: Place the rasp plug tool inside the puncture hole and turn it to make ragged edges so the rubber plug can grab onto them.
Step 5: Once you remove the rasp tool, enter the tire plug using the insertion needle, then take the needle out.
Step 6: After completing the step above, trim the plug’s extra rubber ends to ensure a tight fit inside the tire.
Step 7: Use a gauge and an electric tire inflator to pump the tire. And you are done!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Cost Of Patching A Punctured Tire?
A typical tire patch and adjustment will run you about 25 dollars. Still, this cost may vary depending on the place you live.
Some car shops might suggest a tire sealant option, which would run you an additional 15 dollars.
Still, notice that if you simply have a single puncture, tire sealants are not required.
On the other hand, a tire sealant might help to efficiently close tiny punctures in case you have several of them.
How Long Can I Drive With A Nail In A Tire?
You may continue driving for about 10 miles if it penetrates the tire’s center. However, if the hole was close to the tire’s sidewall, there is a good chance that the tire would blow out.
Therefore, you should stop the car right away. Be aware that driving with a nail in your tire is extremely risky regardless of where the puncture is.
Do I Need To Replace The Tire If There’s A Nail In It?
If you find a nail in tread of tire, you must immediately remove the object and either fill the hole or replace the tire.
You shouldn’t operate a vehicle on the highway with a damaged tire. Both you and other motorists may experience issues as a result of this.
How Can I Keep My Tires From Being Ruined By Nail Damage?
As previously said, you must either cover the tire’s puncture or replace it as soon as you realize a nail has pierced it.
It’s crucial to perform routine car maintenance since it might be challenging to spot a nail, which can help prevent blowouts.
Also, it would be best to check the inflation of your tires once a month to ensure they are in good condition and catch any issues early.
The Bottom Line
What if there is a nail in my tire but not flat? As mentioned above, you can still drive slowly with the tire with a nail inside, as long as the air pressure isn’t dropping.
When you find yourself in this situation, you need to go to the nearest repair shop to fix your tire as soon as possible.
This way, you can protect yourself and others on the road while preventing any accidents that can result.
If you have any problems regarding car parts and troubleshooting, you can check other posts on our website.