A screw in my tyre

[5 In a Row]

I had a screw in my tyre at the weekend.

When I noticed it I think it had only been there a short time as it wasn't fully embedded.

I took it out and it was only 16mm long but the tyre remained inflated and I drove 60 miles home (at a reduced speed) with no issues.

Is there a chance it will have damaged the carcass and should I get it replaced or is the fact it retains air enough?

I don't want to risk it having damage and then letting go when I'm having fun.

[kiethton]

If it's not deflated just crack on

[Funk]

Personally I wouldn't take the risk. Tyres are the only thing keeping you shiny side up; that one looks like it's not far from needing replacement anyway and the last thing you want it is letting go at speed.

I'd be putting a new pair on as the area where the screw is looks like it's outside of the area that's OK to repair (yes I know you could technically repair it there but I was told that the patches on the inner side stick better to a flat rather than a curved surface which makes sense).

When it comes to tyres, why put your car/yourself/others at risk?

[5 In a Row]

Thanks both

The tyres have done about 8k miles and are probably not even 50% worn.

I have a couple of spares as the previous ones were replaced when I got a key (old school style, probably from a Mitsi L100!) through one of them.
That has been repaired but its in the middle of the tread rather than near the sidewall.

They're on a GR Yaris and I do like to drive it 'appropriately'.

[Funk]

Apologies; it looks more worn from the pic than it really is then. Though given the car and given the 'enthusiasm' with which it's used I'd prefer the peace of mind knowing it's all OK.

[5 In a Row]

No problem.

My commute is mainly country roads and includes a section alongside a small lake that has no crash barriers so I want to avoid going in there, especially since I can't swim

[E-bmw]

My take would be.

16mm screw, around half of it sticking out, not even through the steel/kevlar (etc) carcass.

[stevieturbo]

They're small screws, if it's staying up wouldn't worry too much.

And no doubt most tyre places would not repair a hole there as it is close to the sidewall. Although I've plugged some there myself without issue.

[Iceblue]

100% fine there will be plenty of carcass on that part of the tyre wouldn't dream of changing tyre for that

[Panamax]

Ah yes, but this is PH and if you drive over a piece of gravel you should change the tyre as soon as possible. And you should always have four exactly matching tyres so change all four.

Nonetheless I agree, that tyre's fine if it's holding air.

[Pica-Pica]

I would take a photo so you know the exact location. Then take it out ', drive around a bit. Leave car to see if the tyre deflates.
The crucial point is, if a screw had gone in, then had fallen out, all unbeknown to you, would you have known if there was no drop in pressure?

[shtu]

Panamax said:

And you should always have four exactly matching tyres so change all four.

Tyre? Just a tyre? There is no choice other than Michelin Pilot Super Sport for your 1.1 Fiesta.

Panamax said:

Nonetheless I agree, that tyre's fine if it's holding air.

I'd tend to go that way too.

[5 In a Row]

Is there a chance that although the tyre is holding air fine the carcass could've been damaged, but not punctured, by the point of the screw?

[Shinyfings]

I’d not risk it as the tyre cost Vs car value doesn’t make sense, apart from any risk to life, however small.

[shtu]

5 In a Row said:

Is there a chance that although the tyre is holding air fine the carcass could've been damaged, but not punctured, by the point of the screw?

Of course there's always a chance.

But,

The screw hasn't even had enough force put on it to drive it all the way in. It's doubtful it even touched the cords.
The carcass is hundreds of cords. It's not going to explode even if there is minor damage.

Have a look at the repair work done on heavy equipment tyres, where entire sections of the carcass are cut away and patched. eg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaXhPgtcjh0 on vehicles with many many tons of load, and abuse that would never be seen on-road.

Car tyres are treated as disposable from minor damage because they're cheap. Carcass and vulcanised repairs aren't worth the expense.

[Smint]

Just keep an eye on the tyre in the very unlikely event a radial ply has been nicked.

[AlexGSi2000]

+1 for carry on and forget about it.

Reminds me of when I first started driving, found a screw in the middle of the tread (in one of the water channels), tried unscrewing it - as I was doing so I could hear air starting to escape. As I was skint a time, I ended up removing the screw, coating it in whatever sealant I could find in my dads garage, then screwed it back into the tyre all the way home.

Was like that for two years until the tyre hit the tread limit.

[Tye Green]

if it hasn’t gone down then it will likely be fine.

however, if it does deflate, be pragmatic... the screw has a large head so remove the tyre and re-fit the screw from the inside