Good thing I don't have to go to work today

January 19, 2009 4:16 AM

What is the best and cheapest way to fix a flat tire?

I woke up this morning and went outside to get something from my truck. I found my rear, left tire was completely deflated. I had suspected a leak for a few weeks and, believe it or not, I was going to do something about it today. I had filled it up once and it looked fine yesterday. I've never fixed a tire so I Googled some answers. Much to my dismay I couldn't find a reliable source. Some say to use fix-a-flat. Others say to use repair kits and fix the tire from the interior.

I guess I am asking for recommendations on tire repair kits and techniques for a 2001 Nissan Frontier. The type of tire is a General Grabber UHP. They are less than year old.

Thanks

posted by Brandon1600 to Travel & Transportation (19 answers total)

Assuming it's a puncture through the tread, simply install the spare tire and take the flat to a tire shop to have it professionally plugged. The way they will do it will be permanent, and should cost about $10-$20. A can of fix-a-flat is only a temporary fix, and will make a gooey mess of the inside of the tire so that the person who does the permanent fix later will hate you.
posted by jon1270 at 4:36 AM on January 19, 2009

many, many tire stores (at least in the US, your profile doesn't say where you are, useful information to post) will fix them for almost nothing, they want to solicit your business... Don't try to do it yourself, you don't have the equipment.
posted by HuronBob at 4:42 AM on January 19, 2009

Unfortunately, unless you're willing to risk being stranded the only way to 100% fix it for sure is to take it to a tire shop.

Do you have a spare and a jack? If so, change the tire, then drive to the shop. Otherwise you'll need to borrow a jack, remove the tire, and then have a friend drive you and the tire to the shop.

If the tire is damaged in the tread (say by a nail) then the shop can likely plug the hole. If however the damage is on the sidewall, you'll likely need a new tire. In the case of a new tire, if your budget is really tight, you may have luck finding a suitable replacement at a used tire shop which will keep you going until it's time for all new tires.

As for fix-a-flat, or anything you can do on your own... all these are really half-ass solutions that may result in you being stranded later on. Go to a shop.

I last had a flat maybe ten years ago and I think to have the tire plugged and remounted it was maybe $10. That's redneck tire-shop prices, if you're in midtown Manhattan ymmv.
posted by wfrgms at 4:42 AM on January 19, 2009

Also, are your other tires in good shape? Do they have plenty of tread left? If not maybe this is a good time to buy all new tires.
posted by wfrgms at 4:44 AM on January 19, 2009

The fix-a-flat goo should only be used in the most extreme emergencies, and you should expect to have to replace the tire. It pretty-much renders a tire permanently unbalanced. Few tire centers are going to devote time to scraping that junk out of the tire.

If the puncture is in the tread area, many places can do a hot patch and send you on your way. If the puncture is in the sidewall, most reputable repairmen are going to declare the tire toast.

Can you reinflate it enough to get tot a tire center? Or will it not hold the inflation that long?
posted by Thorzdad at 4:46 AM on January 19, 2009

Went through this couple of months ago. Tire was still under warranty, tire guys had me taken care of right away, no cash outlay.

Also, everything wfrgms said.
posted by gimonca at 5:15 AM on January 19, 2009

Thanks for the posts everyone.

To answer some questions:

My other tires are fine.

I am in Austin TX

I don't know where the puncture is yet. Its too dark to tell
posted by Brandon1600 at 5:24 AM on January 19, 2009

you have "Discount Tire" in Austin, take it there....
posted by HuronBob at 5:29 AM on January 19, 2009

You don't need to know. Put on the spare, take the flat tyre to a shop. They'll work out if it's a faulty valve, or a hole. If you do want to find the hole, inflate the tyre and put it in a drum of water (a pool will do) and watch for the bubbles.

Take it to a tyre shop. Stick around to watch them test / fix it. Once you see how it's done you'll realise the value of having a shop do it - they have all the equipment for easy tricks - you don't. Frankly, fixing a flat without the equipment is a real bitch.

Alternatively the cheapest way is to rip a larger hole in the tyre and stuff it with rags like they do on the sub-continent. No? Then tyre shop it is.
posted by Kerasia at 5:31 AM on January 19, 2009

I've used the patch kits like the one here. They work, but unless you have a great deal less money than good sense, you should have a pro do it. I have used these kits twice. The tools last about 1 minute shorter than the time it takes to repair the tire and can be frustrating as hell.

You can find the leak by mixing water and dish soap and pouring that on the tire when it has some air in it. Look for the bubbles or a little sputtering hole. If, like others have said, the hole is in the side wall, you need a new tire.

Dry the area, circle it with chalk so you don't lose it, and get to work.

And for other people who might be reading this thread in the future: if you're driving and you hear a metallic tick-tick-tick that changes speed with wheel speed and you spot the thumbtack/nail/key stuck in your tire - don't pull it out unless you've got a patch kit and a pump, or you will be putting on the spare. Taking out the item that's causing a slow leak will give you a very fast leak. Just saying.

Gory details aside, spend the $20 at a shop.
posted by plinth at 5:39 AM on January 19, 2009

nthing tire store. As for another potential problem (especially if it was a slow leak) is the place where the rim comes in contact with the tire. I've had a slow leak there based up on buildup of gunk and corrosion on the rims. The tire people were super nice, buffed that stuff down and reinflated my tire. All for free.
posted by mmascolino at 7:05 AM on January 19, 2009

Piling on to what has already been said: I can't think of any good reason to not take it to a tire shop. Put on the spare yourself. That's free. They will fix it for $10 - $20, and put it back on, and put the spare back where it goes. Nothing you can do at home by yourself is going to cost any less. Unless you are just looking for a new hobby, or have a burning desire to problem-solve and get your hands dirty, there's no point in messing with it yourself.

Also, it's very likely that anything you do will have to be fixed "for real" later anyway.

Get thee to ye olde tyre shoppe.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 8:04 AM on January 19, 2009

Put on the spare. Take it to a gas station or a tire shop. Ask if they fix tires.
They might ask you if you want a "plug" or a "patch".
They don't have to take it off of the rim to install a plug, but improperly inserted
plugs can fail suddenly, and are even illegal in some states.
A patch will be more expensive, and they are less likely to do it while you wait,
but is the better repair.
posted by the Real Dan at 10:21 AM on January 19, 2009

I had to deal with a flat tire on Saturday in Austin. I took it to the Discount Tire at Burnet & Braker and they were going to plug it for free. I told them that I appreciated it since I haven't been paid in a few weeks. Then they found out that the damage was worse than they thought so they gave me a free used tire.

They earned my future business!
posted by lockle at 10:27 AM on January 19, 2009

I'm going to be the dissenting voice here. The tire plug kits work great, and are what most garages use to fix punctures. They cost ~ $10 and you can find them at Autozone and Kragen. While they may not as good as removing the tire, they have served me flawlessly (in one case, for 10s of thousands of miles).

These kids come with a hole reaming tool, a plug tool, and strips of a sticky strip that you push into the puncture with the plug tool. Repairs are quick and you can do them in the field if needed.
posted by zippy at 10:53 AM on January 19, 2009

... may not be as good as removing the tire and patching it from the inside ...
posted by zippy at 10:54 AM on January 19, 2009

gah, that's what happens when I post before coffee
posted by zippy at 10:55 AM on January 19, 2009

Did you purchase any additional road hazard protection when you bought the tires? It's worth checking your receipt/paperwork for, as many tire stores will fix flats for free on tires they sold. I keep my Goodyear paperwork in my glovebox for just that reason.
posted by bizwank at 12:01 PM on January 19, 2009

Well I got the tire off and replaced it with the spare. There is a big, fat screw in the tread of the old tire so I am probably going to take it to the one lockle mentioned and see what they can do. I hope it's as cheap as everyone says cuz I am really low on money right now.

Thanks Hive Mind.
posted by Brandon1600 at 12:33 PM on January 19, 2009