Picked up a nail. Tire Kingdom won't patch it. Will anybody else or should I not patch a run flat? It's a small nail in the center of the tread and the tire only has 10k miles on it.

 

I don't know if you are going to find any shop willing to patch it. As I understand it they are one and done. Not to say you can't buy a patch kit and do it yourself - if you know someone that has a changer you can borrow. I'd buy a new tire and be done with it.

 

I wish people would stop spreading rumors like this. Run flats are just as patchable as regular tires. There is this conventional wisdom that "run flats can't be patched" but it simply isn't true.

I've had luck getting them patched, but you have to meet both of these conditions:
1. Not driven on while completely flat.
2. Puncture in center of tread.

Good luck!

 

Good luck finding someone to patch it. This is from Bridgstone's wbsite:

Q. Is it possible to repair a Run-Flat tire that has been punctured?

A. It depends on how far and at what speed the car was driven after the puncture was sustained. Repair is possible only if deemed so by the tire sales store.
Preconditions include a puncture of less than 6mm for both side-reinforced type and support-ring type Run-Flat tires, plus minimal damage to the support ring in case of the latter.
However, it is strongly recommended that the tire is replaced as its durability will have been weakened after being repaired.

 

As Chrunck said, yes, they can be patched.

If you bring it in with air in it, you shouldn't have any problem. The stores that won't do it are either ignorant or they are trying to rip you off by selling you a new run flat.

There are hundreds of tire shops in any city, it can't be that hard to find one that knows what they are doing.

Dave

 

How far did you drive it flat? How fast?

From what you describe, unless the tire was damaged by driving on it, I'd definitely try and PLUG it and see if it holds air and drives OK. Spend $25 (including 12V pump) first instead of $350.



Any auto-parts store (including Wal-Mart) has these for $8.

 

I had a flat on a run flat and Firestone patched it for me, no argument. I had a second puncture in a run flat (Goodyear) and they were going to fix it but couldn't because the puncture was at the edge of the treads. once patched a runflat should be good to go and anyone who refuses to patch one where the puncture is in the treads is only trying to sell you a tire.

 

I asked the wife and she drove about 18 miles on it at a speed no greater than 45 mph. How much of a bearing will this be in the patching factor. I am currently loosing 2 psi per hour.

 

I'd just go buy a plug kit and a 12V pump (or just the plug kit and limp to a gas station for air). Plugging a tire isn't much more difficult than many kitchen duties, just follow the instructions. Plug it, and take it easy until you either regain confidence in the tire, or decide to replace it. It you decide to replace it, get a mini-spare kit and 4 NON-RF tires. Save money, have more confidence.

The RF tire did exactly what you (or I) wanted: it got your wife home safely on a flat tire.

 

Yup. I found a shop down the street from work and they patched mine up. Drove it 40 hwy/fwy miles. I guess of course it really depends on how bad the damage is. Mine was a long screw and it was patched last month a week after I bought the car. No problems since.

There's no way I would buy a new tire if mine is still good and the damage wasn't bad.

 

Yes it'll be fine of its in the center tread. I did this and the tire lasted another 15k miles.

Edit: it will be fine provided you haven't driven on the run flat for an extended period of time with no air pressure. If its been for any length near the 50 miles limit, I wouldn't trust the tire's sidewall integrity.

 

these are temporary plugs to get you to a tire repair store to get a permanent plug-patch installed, the only manufacturer approved repair



these are installed from the inside of the tire, tire must be dismounted

the red area is glued to the inside of the tire and the stem fills the puncture hole

plug patches can be installed on both rf and regular tires

scott

 

I have used tire plugs similar to the Slime kit plugs above to repair runflats with no problems. I patched 2 different tires and have put more than 10k miles on them since the repairs with no issues. I did move them to rear just in case.

 

I ran up to a local independent tire shop and they patched it for a whopping $12. Seems good to go. I'll keep an eye on the pressure over the next few days.

 

 

You sure they patched it or just put in a plug?

Usually it's around $39~40 for a patch since they have to dismount the tire to install. A plug is really a temporary fix that a lot of gas stations will do.

 

http://www.dynaplug.com/products.html



I've used this on rf's and regulars and run 'em tens of thousands of miles.

Quick, easy and neat . . .

for OP's situation, a clean nail or screw in the center of the tread . . . a no brainer.

 

i have plugged runflats on our bmw x-3 and others never a problem ever!

 

Yea, they pulled the tire off the rim and patched it from the inside.

 

Read what Tire Rack recomends:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=77

 

PATCH PATCH PATCH!! I patch them all the time and they work fine!!!! as long as it is in the center of tread and the tire isnt chewed up inside you're fine!

experience:
Tire shop owner

 

In that case well done on finding that shop! That's a great price!

 

I don't trust patched tires on anything I'm going to drive at high speeds - for a speed limit commute vehicle yes, but not on something I'm going to drive hard and fast - why take the chance? Below is from TireRack:

"While indoor laboratory tests have shown that freshly punctured and properly repaired speed rated tires can still achieve high speeds, it is not recommended that repaired street tires, or punctured DOT-legal competition tires and racing slicks be used for track events."

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...65&PID=3196524

 

I understand your concern, but notice that is for racing slicks and competition tires. At my shop I guarantee patches for the life of the tire. If a patch is put on correctly there is no need to worry. Don't spend money on a new tire when a good patch will do. You say you drive hard and fast, but I doubt you're driving on the street like you would on a track; if so, godspeed. If you're racing and have money then sure, buy the new tire. If not then just patch it.

 

I have no doubt that you and your shop does excellent work, but I worked at a tire shop for two years and saw some of the work done by unqualified and/or unmotivated coworkers and it has always made me suspious about letting other people patch my tires.

I also refuse to plug my motorcycle tires - as I do track days at Infineon Raceway and the piece of mind of a new tire is well woth it to me.

I guess I'm just lucky that I can afford new tires when I feel I need them.