AppointCan I drive with a nail in my tire?
If the tire is still holding air, you can usually drive slowly and directly to a tire shop, but do not keep driving on it for days. Leave the nail in, because it partly seals the hole. If the tire is losing air fast or is flat, put on the spare or call for help: driving on a flat destroys the sidewall and makes a repairable tire unrepairable. A nail in the tread up to 1/4 inch can usually be fixed with a plug-and-patch; listed price on AppointAuto is $29.99.
Key facts
- Punctures up to 1/4 inch (6 mm) in the tread area are repairable under USTMA guidelines.
- Sidewall and shoulder punctures cannot be repaired safely; the tire must be replaced.
- A proper repair is done from inside the tire with a combination plug-and-patch, not an outside plug alone.
Decide in ten seconds
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| Nail in the tread, tire pressure normal | Drive gently to a tire shop today |
| Tire pressure light on, tire looks low | Inflate at the nearest air pump, then go straight to a shop |
| Tire flat or losing air quickly | Do not drive; fit the spare or call roadside help (step by step) |
| Nail in the sidewall | Replace the tire |
Not sure where the nail is? Our nail damage scanner helps you check the location from a photo.
Next step
Tire shops near you, by state and cityTire puncture repair rules