Leaky tire and over tightened lug nuts. Is it better to just patch it myself or drive to a dealership with a slowly leaking tire?

Posted by NovitePride@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 7 comments

Already posted on r/tires but figured I'd try here as well.

Just got a nail in my tire that's causing a slow leak. Took it to a tire shop but was informed that my both lug nuts were too tight and that my lug nut key was too worn. The nearest dealership is about a 45 minute drive from me.

Do I:

Patch it myself and take it into the dealership to get the lug nuts tightened (which I'll have to do eventually anyway)
Fill the tire (portable tire inflator) and try to make my way to the dealership so they can remove the lug nuts and then take it into a tire shop?

I know it's not ideal to patch your tire yourself but I also know it's not smart to drive so far with a leaky tire. Any advice? Seems like a lesser of two evils kind of decision. Thanks in advance for any help!

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omg4serious@reddit

first off. is the nail in the repair zone? if it's not, don't bother taking it in, they can't patch it.

next, what's taking it to the dealer going to do if the tire shop couldn't get your nuts off? they'll have to just drill it either way.

then it really depends how fast the leak is. it might be slow enough to drive on. but if the nail contacts the ground, then you could suddenly lose tire pressure fast and require a tow.

NovitePride@reddit (OP)

Pic attached. About 1.5 inches from the sidewall.

Was told that the dealership would be able to loosen the lug nuts without having the drill and damage the tire, is that not true?

who told you that? the tire shop? it's likely they were just being lazy? b/c what can the dealership do that the tire shop can't?

Yeah, the mechanic at the tire shop. He claimed their master key would be able to help loosen it without having to drill. Could totally be that he was just being lazy though

i mean, it's not like lug nut locks are some super special secret, any tire shop can deal with it.

Signal-Confusion-976@reddit

Any competent shop should be able to remove a bad lug nut. They have special sockets and tools for this.

Longjumping-Log1591@reddit

Don't go to a dealership unless its a covered service or a recall