Picked up a nail (or piece of sharp metal that looks like a nail and is the size of a small nail) in one of my tires right in the shoulder area (not on the sidewall but not on the top of the tread either). Can this be safely patched/plugged or is it just best to replace the tire (s). Most places I called (my dealership, v.i.p., etc) said they'd "have to take a look first" and couldn't gaurantee anything.

Of course i have an AWD subaru and my tires are down to 6/32" so i can't just slap 1 new tire on it because the tread on this particular new tire is 10/32" (too much difference).

Probably just going to get 4 new cheap tires (kelly or goodyear).

no way to know with out seeing it

The inside of the tire i take it?

If course i moved away recently from one of my trusted mechanics so i have no way of knowing for sure. Of course a place like v.i.p. will tell you to buy new tires lol.

As long as its in the steel

Huh? The belt(s)?

only the tread surface should be repaired. if its not within the tread everyone will tell you to get atleast 2 new tires (per axle). i drove quattros with 21" rims in the back and 19" in the front. nothin happend. dont think the treadwear will make anything to your awd.

Subaru says the tread difference between any two tires shouldn't be greater than 2/32". You can apparently wreck your drivetrain if you drive with different diamater tires for a long period of time. My owner's manual says tires should be the same everything (size, brand, tread wear, etc).

I swear to god only shitty thing about AWD vehicles lol.

There are awd cars like lexus bimmer benz etc that have pretty high tolerence, but on subarus you pretty much need 4 new tire every time you snap one

Yeah, i just bought new tires.