I have picked up a nail in one of my run flat tires. It is in the tread area not the sidewall. These are the factory supplied Goodyear 195/55 R 16 87H tires with 6000 miles on them. Can this be plugged like a non run flat tire?
Second question.....inflation pressure label on door frame specifies 35 psi. Manual shows 30 psi for lightly loaded vehicle (two people) and 35 psi for heavier loads. I am attending the Phil Wicks driving school at Sebring this weekend. What tire pressure should I use?
Thanks, Ben

 

I cannot address the tire pressure question, but I can tell you that the puncture you describe can be plugged just like any other tire. I plugged one of mine well over a year ago with a kit I got at Auto Zone, it has been fine and has not required any additional air over what my other non-punctured tires occasionally do.

 

I would recommend you get it professionally unmounted, patched from the inside, and mounted/balanced. pressure wise, you usually want to go
with the higher recommended pressure for high lateral g conditions...
i'd go 33psi and see how it performs first. don't expect too much from
those runflats though.

 

I'll be running the 35 psi stated on the door sill, Phil sent me an email that said maxin manufacturer tire pressure. I'll be bringing (and from what I gather so will several others) a compressor and guage if you want to make any adjustments after you are there.

My understanding is as long as it is no tnear the sidewall you are ok to go and get it fixed. Even though thats not what I was told when I bought the car.

 

Why cheap out? If you're doing track time/driving schools I certainly wouldn't want to be running on a repaired tire (just in case; it's cheap insurance).

 

I had to replace mine when I got a nail, they said they couldn't patch it. My nail was getting close to the sidewall though.

 

I had mine patched over a year ago...working fine! But I haven't done any track time either.

 

Thanks to everyone for their input. I don't know how close is close to the sidewall. I'll take it to a shop to get their opinion and have it plugged if they say it's ok instead of doing it myself. The alternative is to leave it alone till later. Have had the leak for probably 6 weeks and finally got around to inspecting the tire. It is a very slow leak. About 1 psi/day but of course it is not going to get any better.

 

I had mine patched a couple of times with no problems

but beware

a) of a tire repair place that decides to tell you know way and sell you a new tire just you look easy. If the reason it can't be patched is "its a run flat", find another shop. If it is a sidewall issue but you think it is not in the side wall, get a second opinion

b) ensure the shop has experience with runflats. They are a ***** to get on and off the rims because of the sidewall stiffness. Many shops have Little Jimmy the highschool kid doing the flat fixes. That may not be a good thing. I recommend a shop known to be good with custom wheels and performance tires over Bubba's tires and adult video emporium..... it is a real bummer to find out they really tore up your rim getting the tire off & on....

c) because of B, you may be charged extra for the job....depends on the shop. the patch isn't different, but the time and effort to remove and remount the tire can be. they may even use a different machine ... the 'good one'.