SVC 02 / FLAT REPAIR
Flat tire repair in Montclair
Picked up a nail on the 10? Most tread punctures can be fixed the right way, from the inside, and the tire goes back to work.
Free flat repair on repairable tread punctures, even if you didn't buy your tires here.
About flat tire repair
A proper repair isn't a plug jammed in from the outside. The tire comes off the wheel so we can see the inside. Driving on a low tire chews up the inner liner, and that damage is invisible from the outside.
The repair itself is a plug and patch combination installed from the inside. The plug fills the hole the nail made. The patch seals the inner liner. That's the method the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association recommends, and it's the one that lasts.
Some tires can't be saved. When that happens we'll show you why and help you find a match for the other tires on the axle.
What can and can't be repaired
- Repairable: a puncture in the tread area, up to 1/4 inch across
- Not repairable: anything in the sidewall or the shoulder
- Not repairable: a puncture larger than 1/4 inch, or a cut or tear
- Not repairable: a tire driven flat long enough to damage the inner liner
- Not repairable: two punctures too close together, or overlapping an old repair
- Run-flat tires: depends on the tire maker's rules, so ask
What happens in the bay
Find the leak
We locate the puncture, mark it and check the rest of the tread for anything else that's stuck in there.
Take the tire off the wheel
This is the step quick fixes skip. With the tire off, we inspect the inner liner for damage from being driven low.
Repair from the inside
The injury is cleaned out and a plug and patch combination goes in. The patch is bonded to the inner liner.
Remount, balance and check
The tire goes back on the wheel, gets balanced, is set to your door-placard pressure and goes back on the car.
If you're on the spare
Most compact spares are rated for short distances and about 50 mph. Get the flat looked at soon.
Plug kits are a get-home fix
A string plug from a roadside kit can get you here. It isn't a permanent repair. Bring the tire in and we'll do it properly.
Book flat tire repair in Montclair.
Book online in a minute, or call (909) 321-2191. 5483 Moreno Street, Montclair.
Flat tire repair questions
Can you fix a tire that has a nail in the sidewall?
No. Sidewalls flex constantly and a repair there won't hold. Nobody should repair it. The tire needs to be replaced.
Is a plug from the outside safe?
It can get you to a shop. As a permanent repair it doesn't meet the industry standard, because nobody has looked inside the tire.
How many times can a tire be repaired?
There's no fixed number, but repairs can't overlap and need room between them. We'll measure and tell you.
Should I just drive on it if it's only a slow leak?
A slow leak today is a flat on the freeway later. Driving low also builds heat and damages the tire from inside, which can turn a repairable tire into a replacement.
