How to Deal with a Nail That Hasn't Punctured the Tire Completely?
3 Answers
If the tire tread is relatively thick, you can pull out the nail and then apply some soapy water to the punctured area to see if bubbles form. If the nail is embedded in the tire and there is no air leakage but the extent of damage cannot be determined, it is best not to remove the nail on your own.
That day when I was washing the car, I found a screw stuck in the left front tire, with half of it sticking out. I squatted down and touched it—it hadn’t penetrated, just lodged in the tread rubber layer. In cases like this where it hasn’t gone through, you need to check the depth. The tread rubber is 8 mm thick, so a 2 mm surface puncture isn’t a big deal. I carefully twisted it out with needle-nose pliers and applied some soapy water to check—no bubbles meant no air leak. But the tire had already sustained hidden damage. It’s fine for commuting in the city, but before heading out on the highway over the weekend, I made a special trip to a tire repair shop for a mushroom plug. The experienced mechanic said even after repairing a punctured tire, it’s best to take a break after three continuous hours of highway driving to let the tire cool down. He also taught me a self-check method: every month after refueling, use a phone flashlight to inspect the tire sidewalls—if there are bulges or cracks, replace the tire immediately.
I encountered the same issue during my last outing. When I parked, I found a nail head embedded in the rear tire. After pulling it out, I saw the depth was only about 4mm. Whatever you do, don’t try to plug it yourself with a repair strip! Tires have multiple layers, and the outermost tread rubber is quite thick. Use a damp towel to clean around the nail, and when pulling it out, wiggle it gently from side to side. After removal, it’s best to mark the puncture spot with a marker so the tire repair shop can easily locate it. If black rubber powder comes out when removing the nail, it might mean the steel belt layer is damaged. For repairs, I’d recommend either a hot patch or a mushroom plug—it usually costs around 20 bucks. After fixing, it’s best to move the repaired tire to the rear wheel and avoid using it on the steering wheel.
