Tire question

[yeowzer]

Ok, I swapped out the 20's(Diamaris) on my 4.6is for the winter tires this weekend. On my left rear tire I found a small flat head screw embedded in the tire so I took it out and put some soapy water on it and there is a very small leak. There was one small bubble in about 5 minutes. My question is can this be fixed since they are high performance speed rated tires? Thanks.

[ncx]

Assuming the tire still has good tread left:

If the screw hole is on the flat part of the tread and not right near the sidewall, just have it patched.

[rayxi]

It's fixable.

The leak rate when the wheel is off the vehicle may not be indicative of the leak rate when it is on the vehicle. Pressure is the same but it may leak faster when flexed. Best keep an eye on the pressure until you get it fixed.

[CanadianX5]

I drove a full summer with a nail in one of my tires.
I will have it patched in the when I throw the summers back on.
You will be fine.
How you liking the weather here Rayxi?

[MatzoBallsX5]

I wouldn't use that tire again, period. I had a small screw in my tire and went to the dealership to see what my options were. They said to try fix-a-flat or similar substance. I used it, worked fine for about two weeks, and then I was driving over an overpass near San Diego when the tire completely exploded. Luckily the X5 handles well enough even during something this severe. I was able to pull off the highway and put the spare on. The leak was small at first, but over time with the high performance tires, it just wears it down.

[yeowzer]

The screw was dead center of the tire not on the sidewall and I have probably one more summer of tread on them. Thanks for the replies.

[Tomaz]

It should be OK. I get one or two nails or screws in my tires per year! Make sure they remove the tire and add the patch to the inside. Some places will use a plug they push in from the outside and that is not nearly as good.

[motordavid]

As with most above, patch is fine...

My set of oem style 69s have patches
up the wazoo in the orig. Michies. No prob.

I would rec'd that you urge your tire guy to
carefully chalk/mark the tire position on your
wheel before removal & patching, and get him
to remount tire in as near as identical location
around the wheel's circum., as he can; a worn
tire will seem out of balance if it's simply remounted
as he chooses, in my experience.
GL,mD