Automotive Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

I had a flat tire today. It was completely flat, but I only drove on it, very slowly, for less than 1/10th of a mile until I could safely get off the road.  I took it to Discount Tire and they told me it could not be repaired because I drove on it. I did not buy a new tire. Instead, I took it home.  The inside sidewall of the tire has some scuff marks and there is a very small bit of shredded rubber inside the tire. The tire does not look like it it damaged beyond repair.  What do you recommend. (I do intend to have another tire expert look at the tire. It's not that I don't trust Discount Tire, but they are in the business of selling tires.)  

If you can see damage on the outside, you can be sure there is damage on the inside.  This will render the tire unsuitable for further service.

The problem is that the internal components of a tire, meaning the reinforcing cords, do not like to go into compression.  The inflation pressure keeps them in tension.  If they go into compression - when a tire goes flat - they tend to break.  The problem is that reinflating the tire may not show the breakage - or the breakage may only be partial and the cords will completely break when under stress - like at high speed.

Experience has shown that tires that show rubbing on the outside are very prone to failure.