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[jbinbi]

looking at car today, and saw the head of what looks to be a finishing brad flush with my tire.

my car came with runflats. can you plug a runflat? It is not losing air, if i can't plug it, should i just leave it. not sure that it actually goes thru tire, it is in tread.

[Vigilante375]

Its possible to repair a run flat tire as long as you haven't driven it on low, low air pressure. If you can find a certified shop that will repair it you can but I would advise you to get a new tire. But thats just me or just ditch the run flats and get 4 regular tires then you can patch with out much worry.

[bones]

I got a nail in my RFs on my new car about a month after buying it. I plugged it with a kit from autozone and haven't looked back. No sweat!

[1speedbike]

BMW won't like you if you fix a run-flat. It's their policy to just replace them because it's "unsafe" to plug one. For example if you're returning a lease and they realize it's a patched tire, they'll charge you for a new one.

However, there's nothing really wrong with doing it as far as I know. Just make sure you patch it and NOT plug it. Plugging it will damage the tire and the rim further in the long run (you're squirting goo into your tire and hoping it eventually finds the hole, pretty much). I'd be surprised if a plug safely lasted for more than a few months to a year, especially if you're driving this car in the way it was supposed to be driven If you get it patched properly, it'll hold up to all but the most aggressive driving.

['fatboy']

I had a nail in my RFT awhile back. It got patched up and haven't had any issue since (probably 8-9 months now).

Although the side wall on the tire said it could not be repaired, some shops will do it.

As someone mentioned earlier, repairs will depend on exactly where the nail is and how much 'damage' is caused etc.

[bogart]

Buy a plug repair kit from autozone or oriellys for $7 and fix it... actually just repaired a hole from a drywall screw in my tire today. I bought the repair kit and a portable air compressor that works off your cigarette lighter ($30 total). 5 minute fix.

[wolfe]

I called a tire shop when I had a nail in my goodyear runflats, and they had a list of which manufacturer's say it's ok to repair runflats, and what repair method to use. For the goodyears, I believe they said plug and patch. I plugged it with a kit and so far so good.

I don't think I'd risk just doing a plug without a patch on a non-runflat though.

[fun2drv]

I went through this 2 months ago and several tire shops refused to repair it. Not even while I ordered a new tire for a permanent fix...

[BimmerE82]

I see no problem repairing runflats as long as the tire never lost all of it's air. If the tire pressure reads zero pressure and is actually riding on the hard sidewall do not repair the tire, get it replaced. You might have to go to the lesser known tire shops in order to get it fixed though. Most of the big chain tire stores won't do it for you. They want you to purchase an new tire.

[szcyxzh]

Good excuse to get a set of NON-RFT and possibly new rims.

[bogart]

Originally Posted by wolfe

I called a tire shop when I had a nail in my goodyear runflats, and they had a list of which manufacturer's say it's ok to repair runflats, and what repair method to use. For the goodyears, I believe they said plug and patch. I plugged it with a kit and so far so good.

I don't think I'd risk just doing a plug without a patch on a non-runflat though.

Just curious, why do the plug kits recommend a patch with a plug on NRFT? I've been running with just a plug for over 300 miles, no problem.

[m_thompson]

We just got a Dunlap patched after it picked up a nail in the tread. The dealer would only replace the tire.

[wolfe]

Originally Posted by bogart

Just curious, why do the plug kits recommend a patch with a plug on NRFT? I've been running with just a plug for over 300 miles, no problem.

I'm just speaking for myself; I'd personally prefer to have the added safety of a patch on a non-runflat. If the plug came out or got pushed through, I imagine you'd lose air pressure pretty fast which could be nasty at highway speeds. I figure on a runflat, if the plug fails at least the tire can still support the car.

[Hops128i]

I plugged a RFT around 1.5 years ago with a $10 plug kit. After 15k miles (tires almost gone), the tire holds air just as well as the other tires. I think in my case plug worked fine because the puncture from a wood screw entered straight into the tire between the treads.

[fwmcb]

BMW has no issue with it if its a proper patch installed from the inside of the tire. I had a nail in one last winter.

[luv135i]

had mine patched at discount tire yesterday but strangely enough the wouldnt patch the tire on my wifes 328.....guess they must have that list too....took her car to the local place and they patched it

[FJUNO78]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

BMW won't like you if you fix a run-flat. It's their policy to just replace them because it's "unsafe" to plug one. For example if you're returning a lease and they realize it's a patched tire, they'll charge you for a new one.

How exactly would BMW realize you had a repair done on a tire? I have returned my last 2 cars with patched tires, (MB and BMW) and never had a problem.

[TX78666]

Got a nail in mine 7,000 miles and three track days ago. BMW wanted to replace it, for $500, or something ridiculous like that. Discount Tire plugged/patched it (didn't ask which), for free. No problems at all.

[AJN54135i]

I have gotten a nail in my run flat before and patched it with no problems.

[VMRWheels]

You can definitely repair a runflat. I would suggest patching it rather than plugging it though as it would be the safest option. Local tire shops often times can do tire repairs as well.