Nail in your tire: can it be repaired?
Usually yes — if the hole is in the right place and you stop driving on it soon enough. Here's how to read the damage, what to do in the next five minutes, and when the tire is beyond saving.
Where is the hole? That decides almost everything
- In the tread — the flat part that touches the road — from a nail, screw or similar small object: usually repairable, right where the car sits.
- In the sidewall, or on the shoulder where the tread curves into the sidewall: not repairable. The sidewall flexes with every turn of the wheel, so a repair there can't be trusted to hold.
- A large hole, cut or tear: too big to seal reliably. Tires with holes much bigger than a pencil's width are generally replaced, not repaired.
What to do the moment you spot it
- Leave the nail in. It often slows the leak while it stays put. Pulling it out can flatten the tire in minutes.
- Don't keep driving on a tire that's clearly low. Driving flat grinds the tire's inner structure apart; a few miles like that can turn a repairable puncture into a ruined tire.
- If the car is drivable and the tire still holds air, park somewhere flat and safe and check the pressure if you can.
- If it's losing air fast, stay put. A repair can come to you.
When a repair is the wrong call
- The tire was driven while flat, even briefly. The inside may be chewed up where you can't see it.
- The damage is in the sidewall or shoulder.
- The tread is worn down near the wear bars — the tire is due for replacement anyway.
- Some run-flat tires: once a run-flat has been driven with little or no air, many tire makers say replace it. Check your owner's manual or the tire maker's advice.
If the tire can't be saved and you have a spare, a tire change gets you moving instead.
No spare? You're not stuck
Many newer cars, including Tesla models, come without a spare tire. For a tread puncture, a mobile tire repair at your home, work or roadside can be the difference between driving away and arranging transport for the car.
Nail in your tire in North Jersey?
We come to you with mobile tire repair for $50 plus tax, across our 162-ZIP-code service area in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties. Send your location and we'll text you back, Mon–Sat 8am–10pm. On a highway? Read the highway safety guide first.
Tire damage questions.
Can I drive to a shop with a nail in my tire?
If the tire is holding pressure, a short, gentle drive is usually okay — but check the pressure first and keep an eye on it. If it's visibly low or you hear air, don't drive; the repair can come to you.
Is a repaired tire safe?
A proper repair of a small tread puncture is a long-accepted fix. Have the tire looked over at your next shop visit so a technician can confirm it's good for the long run.
What about sealant from a can?
Emergency sealant can get you off the road, but it's a temporary measure: it can hide the real damage, and the tire still needs a proper inspection and repair afterwards. Tell whoever services the tire that sealant is inside.
How much does mobile tire repair cost?
$50 base rate, plus applicable NJ sales tax. Request it online and we'll text you your total.
Nail in your tire right now?
Send your location and we'll text you back, or call (973) 767-4084.