If you get a Nail in your tire, you should remove it as soon as possible. You can drive short distances with a nail in your tire but you should not just leave it there and continue to drive for a long period of time.

Spin The Tire and Examine The Tread To Find The Nail (Don’t Pull It Out Yet)

Many times this will be easy to spot because you’ll see a large screw or nail sticking out, however, if you don’t its time to try other ways of finding the leak.

The easiest alternative method would be to spray a bubbly solution (such as window cleaner) on the tire, fill it back up with air, and look for the bubbles that the leaking air makes. That will show you exactly where the leak is.

Physically Remove The Screw or Nail From The Tire

If It is a screw, simply unscrew it with a drill or screwdriver. If it is a nail, try to use a claw hammer, vice grips, of a pair of pliers to get the nail out of the tire. Don’t worry if the tire goes flat or makes a hissing sound, that’s just the air coming out (we’re going to refill it when we plug it, so it’s not a big deal).

Ream Out The Hole

When you have removed the nail or screw, now its team to “Ream” the hole. Most tire plug kits come with a tool that has a “file” at the end of it. Push this tool in and out of the hole a few times to rough out the hole.

Thread The Plug Tool, & Physically Insert The Tire Plug

Once the hole is reamed, you’ll see another tool the looks like a needle. Take your plug and crimp it between the end.

Now you’re ready to seal the hole once and for all! Take your plug threaded needle and insert it into the hole. Push it in with some force until there is only a little bit of the plug left sticking out.

Then you should be able to yank the plug tool out of the tire and the plug should stay in the hole. Also, trim the end of the plug that is sticking out as close to the tire as you can.

One other thing to keep in mind is its not a good idea to put multiple plugs or patch on a tire. If you have patched (plugged) the tire once already if it gets another hole, just get a new tire at that point. Don’t compromise your safety!