Urgent: Replace tire or patch?
 

I got a nail on my front left tire, but its kinda on the shoulder. Pepboys, Davis, Firestone and Midas tire shops said it is too close to the shoulder so it is not repairable because the patch won't hold. But then this other shop tells me they can patch it up for $30 and have been doing so for a long time but it comes with no guarantee. They say that its usually against policy which is why everyone refuses. I'm getting it patched right now and my idea is to keep monitoring the pressure each time I drive and buy a new tire only if I notice that it is losing air.. is that fine?

The nail was in the spot as shown on the image.

Dealership said $290 just for the tire.. other shops said $270 for the tire and having it mounted, balanced etc.

I figured that I can't get a new tire right now anyway, no one has it in stock so might as well experiment with the patch. I am open to getting a new tire but want to know if what I suggested with my monitoring won't lead to a safety hazard. I have no prior experiecne with performance tires so any help is appreciated! Maybe I can look on the forum for Z owners moving to 19" from 18" trying to sell their stock tires too.

BTW its a base and front passenger tire ... Yokahama 225/50/18

I think it's fine what you're doing. I've patched punctures myself that were closer to the edge of the tire and it held up fine.

Why did all those shops keep refusing to work on it then? :(
Just legal/liability stuff?

Put safety first! I would replace it asap! The desire to romp that gas pedal is to tempting! You don't want a rapid deflate at 70! (you don't even want a rapid deflate at 30 either)

Yah, that does look like a iffy area. I would use those generic patches and see how it holds up. Up to you.

Obviously best way is to get a new tire. :)

Replace it. We wouldn't fix it at my shop. The metal wires that run inside the tire are only so wide and this is what the plug grabs on to. If the puncture happens in an area where the metal runs, it can be plugged safely. If it is on the shoulder, usually the last section of tread in tire, the plug has no metal to grab. Just a little FYI for you guys...

Hey 6spd, I didn't get it PLUGGED. I got it PATCHED. No shop was even talking about plugging a high performance tire. Having said that, would your opinion change?

With these tires I'd replace it, with tires for a sedan I'd think a patch would work just fine

On plugs no, patches are iffy, especially when put on an area of the tire that flexes a lot, like where your puncture was. As a shop, you have to be careful because if a person has a blowout because of an improper plug or patch, the liability is on you. High performance or not, plugging is still a better choice. Modern plugs will outlast the tire itself. Just be careful and keep an eye on the tire, we don't need another wrecked 370Z story!

I did tell the shop that the previous 2 or 3 shops refused to repair. To which he said, that yeah because no one wants to take the liability. And then he said, we will also not give you a guarantee, but from our experience its okay to go for it.

I just read this and find mixed opinions all over.. Nail in Tire - Can It Be Repaired? *PHOTO* - Corvette Forum

Anyway, its just that I have only 4000 miles on them so they're really brand new. Maybe I could run them for a little while and then replace them with new ones.

I went to AutoZone to get a tire pressure monitor but they said I shouldn't rely on one of those.. I was thinking I could monitor daily to see if I am losing air and if I really am, then definitely replace the tire. Is a daily pressure check not reliable with AutoZone items? (Its my first time with performance tires).

Performance tires are hardly different than normal passenger tires, as far as the average joe is concerned. They should be maintained and check often just as any other tire. For your purposes, any decent tire gauge can somewhat accurately show you what the tire pressure is at. The best precaution is to not get the tires REAL hot, or beat on them to badly. If you just daily drive the car, the tire should be fine until it wears out.

I had 3 patches in similar spots to yours on my old 350, and had zero issues. I didn't track the car mind you, just a DD. I have a problem with "it's too close to the shoulder", when the reality is on my 350, they were a good 2 inches from the shoulder. I think they want to sell you a new tire instead. I wouldn't patch one "on the shoulder" either, but 2 inches from the shoulder, just my opinion, but on a DD I think it is fine.

^ I like your sig