I changed my winter tires to summer tires today. The summers feel so much different when driving than the winters, I can't believe it.

Anyways, I noticed that my RF tire has a nail in it - it looks like it goes through the tread, but may be into the sidewall (take a look below.) A friend of mine told me the tire is garbage because the nail was too close to the sidewall. The tire does not leak.

I have attached pictures. What do you think? Is that tire toast? Thanks!

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/6715/nailw.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/9475/nail2k.jpg

technically your tire should not be repaired. but i personally have repaired this type of puncture several times on my own vehicle and customer vehicles with an internal patch/plug type fix with great success. when a customer comes into my shop i will explain the potential consequences and let them make the final decision. remember though when your throwing your car on an off ramp at about 1G you might want a piece of mind knowing your rubber is not going to blow a hole in the sidewall!

It's possible, in theory.

However, I definitely wouldn't do it.

Define "fixed". It could be made to be usable but if you have precious cargo then don't be a cheap ass, get a new damn tire.

yeah, sucks but i wouldn't repair it. i bet any decent shop would refuse to also.

yeah, sucks but i wouldn't repair it. i bet any decent shop would refuse to also.

Or at least require a signed liability waiver. :scared: