So I ran a good sized screw today, about a 1/4 inch diameter, and I don't the funds to replace it right away, so is patching a good idea? If I can patch it, I'm only going to drive to ver work and the corner store, which is about a mile away, so no freeway.
Is it a good idea? Or just wait a couple weeks to replace to whole tire. If I can, any tips for patching? Thanks fellas!

Best luck I had was a plug and a patch; plug keeps the dirt out! Won't work on the sidewall though.

A good patch will work but I wouldn't trust it at high speeds.
You could also plug it but that's less reliable but far cheaper.
Ask the tire guy if the tire is seriously damaged.

How much tread is left on the tire? Also, is the screw anywhere near the sidewall? If it is, by law, it's not repairable.

If it's just your run of the mill object-in-tread you'll be able to get it patched and the tire will be just fine, especially given your intended use. In the past I've been told that fixing a tire drops the speed rating down a class, so even if you need to drive highway I'd have no worries cruising around at 80 or 90. None at all.

I have caught a couple nails over the last couple years. they didn't want to patch the tire though because they said it would lose it's ultra high performance rating (or something like that)....he said that he could patch it, but really didn't recommend it...

Yeah, the patch will just be temporary, about a month with short distance low speed drives. And the punctures is about 1/2" to maybe 3/4" deep, right in the middle on the top of the trie.

I've been foolhardy in the past and driven really hard (tire graining from the heat hard) on a patched tire. No issues, but your mileage may vary.

Sounds like a good time to get rid of the crappy Potenzas.

Dump the crappy OEMs.

Alright, what kind of tires do you guys recommend?

Pirelli PZero Nero

Goodyear Eagle F1s , top 3 max performance tire, but the best in the wet and best tire for the money. I had the crappy Potenza 040s on my IS300 and after replacing with the Goodyears I rediscovered my respect for the car's handling. They lasted longer also, even with a few HPDEs and AutoXs

..., so is patching a good idea? If I can patch it, I'm only going to drive to ver work and the corner store, which is about a mile away, so no freeway....Yeah I guess you can do that if you really only plan to run the car as you stated, I wouldn't recommend driving around at high speed like that. I would get one of those chemically bonded patches than you apply from inside the tire.Pirelli PZero NeroRegarding the PZero Nero, there's an endess thread aspounding the virtues of the tire. They do have longer life and are by far much quieter and stay quieter for the life of the tire (I know I run a set) better in the wet, etc... but to be honest the tire is gummy and sidewall is not as rigid on dry pavement.

I lost a lot of the "tight" feel the car had, I kind of miss that. You just have to weigh the everyday benefits of the Nero against an number of other tires that have better dry handling that will have your ears bleeding after 10-12k of use.. :P

Check the tire forum....

Bridgestone RE050A Pole Positions price no object.

If its in the middle of the thread, you should be fine.

it really depends on what kind of repair shops u're dealing with.

Some lousy crap like pepboys, will just plug it with plastic strips, sure they can hold for a while, but u better dont go over 40 mph.

Our tires are speed rated tires (high performance speed rated), so to repair it the shop should use a special patch, that looks like a T shape. The bottom part will stick out, then they will apply another patch to the inside, then glue it up on both sides. That way you can retain your speed rating.

I still say as long as you get a quality patch it shouldn't be a problem, but if you want to spend money I'd suggest the 225/45-18 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Positions as a great all around tire. That is the best blend of wet traction, dry traction, feel, and civility out there.