Your tires can often get something lodged in the rubber whether a nail or a screw is involved. If you have a screw in your tire, you want to know what to do next.
Should you keep driving? Is it ok to wait to repair it? Should you repair it or replace it? These are things you want to know beforehand.
In this guide, I talk about what you should do when you have a screw in the tire, as well as reasons to repair vs reasons to replace and if you decide to repair, how to do so.
What To Do About a Screw in the Tire?
If a screw is threaded in or near a tire sidewall, the tire must be replaced. While you may be able to add air to the tire, it should be replaced by a tire technician.
If a screw is threaded into the edge of the stiff rubber tread, then it may be worth repairing. If in doubt, the tire should be professionally inspected.
The screw is likely temporarily stopping the air leak created by the hole. Every time the tire rotates, it will back out of the hole, creating a larger area for air to leak than the initial hole.
Each time the screw backs out to increase the hole size, air will continue to leak from the tire, and what was repairable may no longer be repairable. Even worse, the tire may blow out.
If you hear a hissing sound that comes from the tire, then you should pull over and change the tire with a spare. The last thing you want to be dealing with is a blowout on your way to the tire shop.
Repair vs. Replace: Screw in Tire
#1. Location of Puncture.
The main consideration is where the tire has been punctured. If it went into the tread, it likely can be repaired.
However, if the screw entered the side of the tire, then your only option is a replacement. The trouble comes in when it’s between the sidewall and tire tread. In most cases, you are best off just replacing the tire and sleeping better.
#2. Punctured Object.
A nail punctured tire is often easier to repair than nails or any other object. Nails create a small hole, which is easy patch.
Screws create more damage, however, because they are not straight or smooth like a nail. The threads on a screw typically create a jagged hole and more difficulty when repairing.
#3. Age of Tire.
New tire have approximately the same chance of blowing out from a screw as an old tire. However, you may be more likely to repair the hole due to the recent installation.
Think about the potential cost of a blowout. Some damage, like ruining the axle and suspension, or just causing an accident, is far more expensive than replacing a tire.
#4. Risk Consideration.
How much risk are you willing to take? If you only want complete peace of mind, you should replace the tire.
If you are willing to have it plugged or patched, then make sure you choose a reputable shop. Choosing technicians that are experienced, and have the right equipment, helps minimize risk even further.
#5. Person Driving Car.
Your last consideration is who will be driving the car. If you are driving the car, taking that risk is much easier.
If your spouse or grandma is driving, you may decide to choose to replace the tire. Some people are not equipped to deal with a blowout if that were to happen.
How to Repair Tire Puncture
If you choose to fix the tire, you should get it done at a tire shop although you can do it in your own garage if you want to. You will need the tools it is really best to buy a tire changing kit. Here are the basic steps:
- Remove the tire from the vehicle and the tire off the rim.
- With a pair of pliers, grab the head of the screw, and slowly pull it out.
- Spray the buffing solution over the puncture hole.
- Buff the tire out with the machine and sandpaper in a circular motion.
- Clean out the inside of the tire with a solvent.
- Apply rubber cement over the area of the patch.
- Take the sticky side off the radial tire patch.
- Apply the patch to the inside of the hole covering the whole hole.
- A rolling tool is needed to roll over the patch in all directions to make sure the whole patch has been touched, this eliminates air bubbles and makes the patch stick better.
- Mount the tire back on the rim and add air.
- Look for air leak.
- Put tire back on the vehicle and keep an eye on it a couple of days to make sure repair is solid.
If you used a patch that also had a plug, the directions would differ slightly, common fix for punctures along with a patch at tire shop.
Is It Safe to Drive With Screw in Tire?
No, don’t drive with a screw in your tire. Even though it does not appear to be leaking air now, and it will likely not be an issue in the short term, it could cause complications in the long term, and then you will be stuck.
When the screw gets inside of your tire, your immediate concern is if the air pressure will hold.
You almost inevitably consider what happens if you leave the screw in the tire and do not remove it. The area can get progressively unstable as you drive on it, resulting in the tread separating.
If you continue to drive on the tire with the screw inside, it could lead to more damage.
The chances of a blowout worsen greatly if the screw is located in the sidewall of the tire. If you were to find a screw in the sidewall of the tire then chances are you will want to put your spare tire on just to be safe.
Some people drive on the punctured tire anyway, and just keep filling it with air. Their thought process is that the tire is going to need to be changed anyway, They might as well get their money’s worth out of it.
That is fine, however, you could also be putting yourself and others at risk, especially if that hole gets larger, and the air suddenly escapes.
In an ideal scenario, if you have a tire that is punctured, you would get it repaired right away, and if it is repairable choose that option. If the tire is damaged, then you would replace it.
The cost you are to spend now is a small amount compared to the outcome of having a large accident, don’t play with it.
Cost to Repair Tire Puncture
If you can repair the tire, you will spend about $10 to $25 to take the screw out and fix the tire. And, you shouldn’t have to wait long, because the appointment should be thirty minutes or less.
Some tire shops will fix the puncture for free when you purchased road hazard coverage.
If you have the proper tools and experience, you could put new tires on yourself. But for the cost, it is often better to trust a local tire shop and pay them to fix it.