The repair rules
Tire makers and the tire industry set these limits for a safe repair:
- Tread area only, never the sidewall or shoulder
- Hole no bigger than 1/4 inch (6 mm)
- Repairs can't overlap another repair
- The tire comes off the wheel and gets checked inside
- A plug fills the hole and a patch seals the inside
Plug or patch?
Neither one alone. A plug from the outside doesn't seal the inner liner, and a patch alone leaves the hole open to water, which rusts the steel belts. The proper fix is a plug and patch done from the inside, with the tire off the wheel.
What to do right now
- Leave the nail in. It often plugs the hole until you get here
- Don't drive on it flat. That ruins the sidewall and the tire
- Use the spare, or call us for road service
- A sealant can gets you moving, but it's not a real repair
Flat repair at our shop
Pull in, no appointment. We take the tire off, find the leak and patch it from the inside, then mount and balance it. If it can't be safely repaired, we'll tell you and show you a used or new tire that fits your budget. Most jobs take 15 to 30 minutes.
Repair rules from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association and the Tire Industry Association.