Tire repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What tire repair is

A tire shop removes the wheel, finds the leak, inspects the inside of the tire, and patches or plugs a puncture if it is in a repairable area. You need it when a tire loses air slowly or when a nail, screw or other object is in the tread.

Signs you need it

  • The tire loses air over a few days and the pressure light comes on
  • You can see a nail, screw or object in the tread
  • The car pulls to one side or the steering feels off after a puncture
  • You hear a hissing sound or feel a thump when the tire rolls
  • The tire has a bulge, cut or slow leak near the sidewall

What the pro does

  • Removes the wheel and inspects the tire inside and out for the leak
  • Marks the puncture and checks whether it is in the repairable tread area
  • Cleans and roughs the hole, then installs a patch and plug or a patch from inside the tire
  • Balances the wheel after the repair and remounts it on the car
  • Checks the pressure and tells you whether the tire should be replaced

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Whether the puncture is in the tread area or the sidewall
  • Whether the tire is run flat or damaged beyond repair
  • The size and type of tire, including whether it is a specialty or run flat tire
  • Whether the wheel must be removed and rebalanced
  • Whether a tire needs replacing because of age or tread wear
  • Whether a tire repair is offered at the counter or needs a separate service call

What a written quote should spell out

  • The location and size of each puncture
  • Whether the repair is a patch, a plug or both, and why
  • Whether the wheel was removed and balanced
  • Any valve stem replacement and its part type
  • What you were told about the tire's safe life after repair

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the puncture in the tread area where a repair is safe?
  • Will you remove the tire and inspect the inside, or only plug it from outside?
  • Is the tire safe to keep driving on after the repair?
  • Do you balance the wheel after the repair?
  • Will you check the other tires for wear and the spare for pressure?
  • Do you guarantee the repair, and for how long?

Red flags

  • Offers a plug only, without removing the tire to inspect it
  • Repairs a puncture on the sidewall or shoulder
  • Says a tire is fine without showing the inside inspection
  • Will not tell you the location of the puncture

What you can do yourself

A temporary tire plug kit can seal a small puncture in the tread, and you can check tire pressure and look for the object yourself. Do not repair a sidewall, a cut or a large hole, and do not drive for long on a plug. Call a shop for any tire that has lost a lot of air or any repair you are not sure about.

Licenses and permits

A license is usually not required for tire repair. Shops may need local business registration, so check with your state or local licensing agency if you are unsure.

Tire repair questions

Can every puncture be repaired?

No. Punctures in the sidewall, shoulder or very large holes usually mean the tire needs replacing. A shop can check the location and tell you.

How do I know if the tire is leaking slowly?

Check the pressure cold each week or two. A tire that keeps losing air and needs regular top ups likely has a leak that needs a repair.

Should I repair a tire with a plug or a patch?

A proper repair uses a patch from the inside, often with a plug. A plug alone from the outside is less reliable, so ask the shop what it is using.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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