Can a tire with a nail in it be fixed?
Often, yes. A small hole in the tread, the part that touches the road, can usually be repaired; a hole in the sidewall or right at the edge can't.
The common rule in the tire trade is that a puncture up to about 1/4 inch across, in the tread area, is repairable. A bigger cut, a hole in the shoulder or sidewall, or a tire that was driven flat and is damaged inside means a new tire. We look at it at your car and tell you which one it is.
Plug or patch: what's the difference?
A plug fills the hole from the outside. A patch seals it from the inside, which means taking the tire off the wheel.
Many tire makers and shops see a patch and plug used together as the strongest repair. When you call, ask which repair your tire will get and why.
How do I know if I have a slow leak?
The tire pressure light keeps coming back, or one tire looks lower than the others every morning.
To find it, spray soapy water on the tread and around the valve stem. Bubbles show where the air gets out. If you spot a nail, leave it in until the tire is repaired: it helps plug the hole.
What if the tire can't be repaired?
Then it needs a new tire. Tell us your tire size and we bring one to fit at your car.
What should I do while I wait?
Stay off the flat. Park somewhere safe and level, put your hazards on, and keep away from traffic.
Questions people ask
Do you plug tires?
Yes, when the tire is safe to plug. If it needs a patch or a new tire instead, we tell you before we do the work.
Can you fix my flat in my driveway?
Yes. A driveway is an easy place for us to work: off the road, with room around the car.
Can a tire be repaired twice?
Sometimes, if both holes are in the tread and far enough apart. Two holes close together usually means a new tire.
Do I need to take the wheel off myself?
No. Leave the car as it is. We bring the jack and the tools.
Is the code on my tire wall important for a repair?
Yes, for a new tire if yours can't be fixed. Read the size, like 225/65R17, off the side of the tire and give it to us when you call, or text us a photo of it.