How dangerous is a screw in a good trye??

[rufusgti]

I collected my car from the garage earlyer and was informed i need to get my tyre changed ASAP as it has a screw stuck in the tread.

I have a spare in the boot and am happy to change a wheel at the side of road if needs be.

I also usually have screws in my tyres, no idea where they come from but when I've had tyres changed before they often say "OOOH, you were lucky, you had a screw in that one" and I've noticed them on loads of other cars.

Were obviously told they're dangerous so we go and buy new tyres but really, How dangerous are they. I dont know the answer, but all my punctures have been from either hitting something in the road, hitting a curb, Old knackered/perished rubber, or having them slashed. Never because of a screw.

Now i know if it was running low pressure it can be dangerous but this tyre isnt. Just has a screw in the rubber tread. How "dangerous" can it possibly be??

[Rawwr]

Depends on the tyre and where the screw is. A Tesco Value tyre with a large screw on the shoulder could potentially end badly.

[RDMcG]

It depends on where it is...if its on the seam between the sidewall and the rest of the tyre, best to change it. Is its just between the treads probably fixable. However, if you are on runflats the chance are that they'll want to change it.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

it will move around in the tread, potentially causing the tyre to explode, at best making the hole larger and letting air out.

so you are probably going to end up loosing pressure after a while and there is a slight risk of a blow out.

I've noticed them before and just kept an eye on pressure until I can get it fixed, but try to get a proper repair done asap!

[Fun Bus]

I had a screw in one of my rear tyres a while back (E46 M-sport coupe with 18" Pilot sports on) and it was ok but I had it repaired as soon as I could / knew about it. I *think* it survived 3 laps of the Jaguar test track at Gaydon but can't be sure. That was a scary thought.

[alfa pint]

I'd be pretty terrified. But then, I really abuse my tyres.... I'd have it repaired asap if poss, replaced if not. Check your driveway / work parking spot for where all these screws are coming from and sweep them up.

[volvoforlife]

I replaced my tire which had a screw/nail it in. It just made a nasty tapping noise at low speeds which I didn't like.

I'm sure it will be fine until it gets dislodged somewhere on a late night when you are lost down a narrow country road where a spite of murders happened the previous week....

[Wing Commander]

I picked up 3 nails in a 6 month period, in the biggest (rear) and therefore most expensive tyres on my Brabus Roadster. £185 each. Just very unlucky as all 3 happened in different parts of the country.

One time, they could plug it as it was in the tread and caught early. Another time was too near the sidewall and had flailed around damaging the wall. And the last time, it flailed around so much there was a big pile of rubber filings in the tyre when they removed it.

It's really worth trying to catch early. £10 plug rather than however much a new tyre is. Also, these are the only 4 things holding you to the road - really worth the risk??

[randomwalk]

It might not be leaking yet but over time with flexing it will start to leak, its best to get it repaired asap. If it is within about an inch of the sidewall it cannot be safely repaired and you will need a new tyre - happened to me.

[teambeer]

I've had a screw firmly stuck in the tread towards the outside of the rear wheel on my golf for the last 8-10 months, it happened a matter of days into the tyres being fitted (typical!). It's worn down and sits in between blocks of tread. Tyre looses about 10 psi/month as a result. Doesn't bother me and as it's pretty much screwed into the tyre don't see it coming out in the foreseeable future.

[Flintstone]

rufusgti said:

How dangerous is a screw in a good trye??

Not as dangerous as one with someone who is not your missus when said missus later brings hot fish and chips into the car and the windows steam up (according to someone in another thread).

[randomwalk]

the dangerous aspect is if tyre starts to slowly deflate and you do not notice, you could be driving on a underinflated tyre which at speed on motorway could blowout, that could be bad.

[y2blade]

randomwalk said:

the dangerous aspect is if tyre starts to slowly deflate and you do not notice, you could be driving on a underinflated tyre which at speed on motorway could blowout, that could be bad mmmmkay.

I don't know why but I cant help reading that in the voice of Mr Mackey




I think I need some Coffee

[51mes]

Of course the best possible news as happened to me the third day into 911 ownership and finding a screw in the rather large 19" rears..

Went to the local tyre place I use - lots of good comments about the car - guy took a look at it jacked it up so he could get to it and had a go at removing the screw (not somethign you want to do unless your outside a tyre place (or have a spare) The result it was only the head of a screw and about 6-8mm of the body came straight out of the tread - a bit of tyre glue and it was gone..

I've had several other screws in my life (mostly with women) but the odd one involving a car tyre has usually been repairable as long as you get it seen to quickly, as with all bad things in life - if you leave them they rarely go away, and often get worse!

Simes.

[road_rager]

Ive picked up plenty in my bike tyres, some I've left for ages and been ok, but as someone else said occasionally you'll loose presure on a long fast run, although on a bike you notice it pretty quickly.

[Fun Bus]

teambeer said:

I've had a screw firmly stuck in the tread towards the outside of the rear wheel on my golf for the last 8-10 months, it happened a matter of days into the tyres being fitted (typical!). It's worn down and sits in between blocks of tread. Tyre looses about 10 psi/month as a result. Doesn't bother me and as it's pretty much screwed into the tyre don't see it coming out in the foreseeable future.

You're braver than me.

[Hugo a Gogo]

at the very least it's going to knock your balance out

[Monkeylegend]

Can't believe so many people apparantly knowingly run around with screws in their tyres. If it is repairable why not get it repaired.It cost me £9.40 for a repair and rebalance last week, a small price to pay for safety and peace of mind.If not replace it.

I thought people on here were enthusiasts who looked after their cars.

[4x4disco]

Fun Bus said:

teambeer said:

I've had a screw firmly stuck in the tread towards the outside of the rear wheel on my golf for the last 8-10 months, it happened a matter of days into the tyres being fitted (typical!). It's worn down and sits in between blocks of tread. Tyre looses about 10 psi/month as a result. Doesn't bother me and as it's pretty much screwed into the tyre don't see it coming out in the foreseeable future.

You're braver than me.

I think we are past the brave point and possibly into the foolish area.
£10 repair or gamble with my life and the lives of my passengers, let me think on that one!!!

[Monkeylegend]

teambeer said:

I've had a screw firmly stuck in the tread towards the outside of the rear wheel on my golf for the last 8-10 months, it happened a matter of days into the tyres being fitted (typical!). It's worn down and sits in between blocks of tread. Tyre looses about 10 psi/month as a result. Doesn't bother me and as it's pretty much screwed into the tyre don't see it coming out in the foreseeable future.

Just hope this post doesn't come back to haunt you.