Can a tire with a nail in it be repaired?
Answered by Super Tire & Muffler · Updated June 19, 2026
Short answer
Yes, in most cases. A nail in the tread that is smaller than about a quarter inch can be safely repaired with an internal patch-plug. A nail in the sidewall, a large hole, or a tire that was driven on flat cannot be repaired safely and needs replacing. Leave the nail in and bring it to us so we can see if it is repairable.
Tread versus sidewall
The repairable zone is the tread, the part that contacts the road. Punctures there can be fixed with a combination patch-plug installed from inside the tire, which seals both the hole and the inner liner and lasts the life of the tire.
The sidewall flexes constantly, so a repair there can fail at speed. No reputable shop will plug a sidewall, and neither will we.
Should I pull the nail out?
No, leaving the nail in slows the leak and helps us find the exact spot. Drive gently to the shop, or if the tire is going flat, use your spare. Driving on a fully flat tire usually ruins it and can damage the wheel.