Punctures, slow leaks and blowouts in regular tires are a nuisance at best or highly dangerous at worst, especially if traveling on high-speed highways or in bad weather. But run-flat tires are engineered to safely carry the weight of the vehicle for about 60 miles despite punctures and loss of pressure thanks to heavily reinforced sidewalls. Replacing a whole tire can be expensive; most run-flat tires cost at least double that of a regular tire. While a nail can be removed and temporarily plugged at home, permanent repairs should be done by a professional.
Park the car on a level surface and set the parking brake. Pry off the wheel cover using a flat-head screwdriver and loosen the lug nuts with a lug wrench.
Jack up the car as directed by the owner's manual, using a floor jack or the emergency jack included with the vehicle, and set wheel chocks or wood blocks behind the wheels still on the ground.
Remove the tire and locate the nail. Hold the tire securely so the nail is easily accessed. Clean off any dirt or oil around the hole with a clean rag or shop towel.
Pull the nail straight out of the tire using long-nose pliers and wipe the puncture area again with a clean rag.
