Well, pulled about a 2 inch nail from my winter tire. I have a plug kit but am unsure whether the hole is too close to the sidewall to be plugged. I tried to get as much angle as I could in the pics to give perspective.

Any knowledgeable people able to lend some advice?

 

Can it be plugged? Yes. Would it be safe to drive on afterwards? I wouldn't risk it. That's too close to the sidewall, IMO. I realize the dilemma you're in. Save some money and just patch it, or have to buy at least one brand new tire. Or if it's not leaking that fast, you could try to put up with having to fill it up every now and then. Either way you look at it, it's a crappy situation.

 

yeah u can for about 500 or 1000 miles...

 

I've had to get a couple tires plugged now, and any good tire shop will tell you that it's unsafe/pointless to plug a tire within one inch of the sidewall... too much flex. Most won't even do it.

 

You never want to use a plug and risk the chance of it coming out at high speed, a patch is a better alternative. If the that was my tire in the picture I would just buy another one even if it could be repaired.

 

if you got the money just buy a new tire just to be safe

 

I may try the patch. I'll take it off tomorrow and see what the tire shop thinks.


I thought you couldn't replace just 1 tire on an Evo (or most awd vehicles for that matter)? These have about 8k on them.

 

If you patch it, get a semi truck patch. They are bigger than the standard ones. The place out here that does them, they will patch even in the middle of the sidewall. However, I would not risk it on my evo, but we have stuck them on the trucks at work and never had a problem.

 

Patch from the inside is the safest way to go for sure, but that one is too close to the sidewall. Time for a new tire.

 

To Close To Side Wall

 

+1
Get a new tire or get a used one. . i Too much of a risk and tire shops. probably wont do it...

 

I'd advise against it. Looks as if the damage is right on the edge of the tread slab where its bonded to the sidewall. Not the best place for a hole as there is a seam holding the tire together there.

 

if you didn't drive on it while it was flat you could try it and see if it holds air. i'd prefer to just replace it. I replaced a 1 week old snow tire this winter on my truck after it picked up some huge piece of metal in it. i went about a block and it destroyed the sidewall.

 

dont risk blowing it out and loosing control and smashing ur car. replace tire. too close to sidewall.

 

You have to patch it, not plog it. Even though it is close to the sidewall and that is no good but there are these patches that we have at work and I have patched few tires at work and so far not have any comebacks. Just go get it patched. The shop should tell you that it is too close but tell him up-his.