Nail In Sidewall Of Tire? (Here's What To Do)

So, you’re doing your usual walk around the car—or maybe you just had that weird wobble on the road—and there it is. A nail. Sticking right into the sidewall of your tire.

You might be wondering if it’s as bad as it looks, if it can be patched, or if you’re stuck buying a whole new tire.

Unfortunately, it IS bad as it looks and it can’t be repaired. 

In this post, we’ll go over how a nail can get in the sidewall of your tire, why it is a serious issue, and what you should do about it.

How Do Nails Get In Sidewall Of Tires?

Tires pick up all kinds of road junk. Screws, nails, shards of metal—none of it’s unusual. But sidewall nails are a little less common than nails in the tread.

So how do they end up there?

It usually happens when you drive over something sharp at just the wrong angle. 

Maybe a nail was kicked up or stuck in a piece of wood. Maybe you brushed too close to a construction site or rolled over debris near a curb. 

Sidewalls are more exposed when turning, parking, or riding close to the shoulder. That’s prime time for sharp objects to dig in.

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Why A Sidewall Nail Is A Serious Problem

Let's not sugarcoat it - a nail in your sidewall is bad news. Really bad news. 

The sidewall is the tire's Achilles' heel. It's designed to flex constantly as you drive, helping absorb bumps and maintain contact with the road. But this flexibility comes at a cost - the sidewall isn't built to self-seal around punctures like the tread area sometimes can.

The constant flexing means any repair in this area will be under tremendous stress. 

As you drive, the sidewall bends and stretches thousands of times per mile. Any patch or plug simply can't withstand this movement long-term.

Plus, the sidewall has fewer reinforcing layers than the tread area. 

Once compromised, the structural integrity of your entire tire is at risk.

Can You Fix A Nail In Sidewall Of Tire?

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the straight answer is no. 

Professional tire technicians won't repair sidewall punctures, and for good reason. The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and Tire Industry Association (TIA) have strict guidelines against repairing sidewall damage.

Some DIY videos might show people using plugs or patches on sidewalls, but don't be fooled! These "fixes" are temporary at best and dangerous at worst. 

The sidewall flexes too much during driving for any repair to hold reliably over time.

Think about it this way: would you put a band-aid on a major cut that needs stitches? 

That's essentially what you'd be doing with a DIY sidewall repair. It might hold air temporarily, but the pressure and constant flexing will eventually cause the repair to fail - often when you least expect it.

What To Do If You Find A Nail In The Sidewall

So you've confirmed your worst fears - there's definitely a nail poking out of your tire's sidewall. Here's what you need to do:

Important steps to follow if a nail punctures your tire sidewall: check the tire, avoid DIY repairs, replace the tire, and drive cautiously until replacement.

#1 Check The Tire

First, make a quick assessment. 

Is the tire already losing air? How deep does the nail appear to be? 

Sometimes what looks like a nail in the sidewall might just be stuck in the surface rubber without actually causing a puncture. If you're lucky, it might be lodged in the transition area between the tread and sidewall, which some tire shops might be able to repair.

Don't pull the nail out yet! If it's actually plugging the hole, removing it could lead to rapid air loss.

Also Read: Tire Buying Guide

#2 Do Not Attempt DIY Repairs

We know it's tempting to grab that tire repair kit from your garage, but it's NOT a good idea. 

Those plug kits and sealants work great for tread punctures but are absolutely not designed for sidewall damage.

Trying to fix it yourself might give you a false sense of security. The repair might hold for a day or two, making you think everything's fine before catastrophically failing during highway driving. 

The last thing you want is to be doing 70 on the interstate when that patch gives out.

It's just not worth the risk to you and other drivers on the road.

#3 Replace The Tire

Unfortunately, this is usually the only safe move.

Even if the tire looks almost brand new, sidewall punctures aren't something you can work around. Most tire shops will tell you the same thing—it has to go.

If the tires are fairly new and the other ones still have good tread, you might be able to get away with replacing just the damaged one. But if your tires are older or worn unevenly, it’s worth considering replacing at least two at once. That helps keep handling balanced and safe.

Not the most fun expense, we know. But when it comes to tires, safety > savings.

Also Check Out Our Zeeland Tire Services

#4 Drive Cautiously Until Replacement

Can you drive on it for a little while? Maybe. But you shouldn't.

If the tire isn’t flat and you're stuck needing to drive it to a shop, keep it short and slow. No highways. No heavy braking. Just enough to get where you need to go.

And keep checking that air pressure. If the tire starts to deflate, you’re out of time. You’ll need to swap to the spare or call for help.

It’s not worth pushing your luck. One wrong bump, and the whole tire could go.

Bottom Line

A nail in the sidewall might not seem like a huge deal at first glance. But trust us—it’s not something you can ignore or fix with a quick patch. Once the sidewall is damaged, the only safe solution is a full replacement.

We know it’s frustrating. No one likes surprise tire expenses. But skipping or delaying the fix can cost way more in the long run, especially if it leads to an accident or leaves you stranded.

So if you spot that nail, don’t wait it out. Get a replacement as soon as you can.