Michael Amendola

Can I patch this tire or is it too close to sidewall?

LexVan

No. Too close. Buy a new one.

Plug and patch this one, if someone will do it, and store in your garage as an emergency spare.

Mumbles

Buy a new tire. Your life is worth more than taking a chance.

JayG

You can, but should you is a better question?
Lex got it right. Keep it as an emergency spare

Porsche specifically says no plugged or patched tires

David993S

I'll disagree.......maybe. You might be able to have it patched. Close to the sidewall is tricky. Have a good tire shop take a look at it. I had a puncture in a similar location on one of my rear Sumitomo's, and the shop said they would give it a try. That was over a year ago and I have not had any issues with the repair. However, I would not recommend it if you track the car. But for regular street driving, it may be repairable.

MotoJB

On my more conservatively driven BMW DD I'd say yes...I have done it several times over the years without any problems. On my harder-driven, weekend 996tt canyon carver, no.

upshift4

no legitimate tire person will repair this tire. If someone does agree to repair it, go somewhere else fit your tires.

Commentd reagading" well if you don't drive it hard" are irrelevant

Dont repair it! (From a career tire designer developer)

MotoJB

As a "Career tire designer developer", are you just trying to help sell more new tires? Some people aren't able or willing to spend $100-$300 to replace an almost new tire due to a small puncture. Other times, that tire model might no longer be available and you're looking at replacing all 4 tires (or running a mismatched set).

"Career tire designer developer" or not, I can simply speak from my personal experience. I've patched 4 or 5 tires with similar punctures like this over the years and have never once had a problem. Plenty of 80mph+ hwy driving for months or years until the tire eventually wore out.

I also know of several people that have done the same. There are some punctures (size or placement) that are clearly not worth repairing. That small screw hole in that particular area is absolutely something I'd patch without worry.

Oh wait, I'm not a legitimate tire person.

upshift4

"Better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt"

MotoJB

KMA upsh!t4...

geetee

Up to where is it ok repair in the OP's picture?
I thought that nail is right at the border of where it is safe? no?

cartwheel

If it is inside the edge tread block row then it is ok to plug (in the centre of the tread). The outer row of treadblocks down the sidewall isn't a good idea to plug. These areas goes through a lot of flexing and plugs don't reliably hold up in these areas (that isn't to say they can't). To me that tire is not repairable, but I'm not a legitimate tire person either. I wouldn't take the chance.