Flat Repair

What is Flat Repair?

Automotive tires are much more than rugged air-filled donuts, quite complicated in their construction and manufacture, everything designed to deliver traction, comfort, and safe travels for many miles. Under ideal conditions, tires may last from 20,000 miles to 50,000 miles, or more – touring tires last far longer than sport tires – but that’s only tread life. For a tire, the road is a dangerous place. Road debris, curbs, and potholes can easily lead to punctures and leaks. Flat repair is an important service to add to your contact list.

Why is Flat Repair Important?

Tires perform several functions, and all depend on maintaining proper tire pressure. Properly-inflated tires keep the tread on the road, supporting the weight of the vehicle without “rolling over” in corners. Inflated tires have less rolling resistance, which improves fuel economy. Tires are also an important part of your suspension, soaking up small bumps and improving shock absorption and ride comfort. Underinflated tires wear unevenly, leading to excessive shoulder wear, overheating, and possible blowout.

If one or more tires leaks, it will result in loss of traction, poor fuel economy, poor comfort, impacted safety, and possible blowout. A competent flat repair technician can determine the cause of the leak and suggest a safe repair or replacement option – some flats simply cannot be repaired. Because tires are such an important safety item, following proper flat repair procedure is serious business.

Generally, if the puncture is less than 1/4″ in diameter, in the tread area of the tire, with more than 2/32″ tread depth remaining, a flat repair is possible, but not guaranteed. There are other factors that may require the tire to be discarded for safety reasons. A proper flat repair requires dismounting the tire, reaming and buffing the puncture and surrounding area, applying tire-specific rubber cement, and filling and patching the puncture area.

What can Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers Do for You?

Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers has been serving the St. Louis, MO, area for over forty years, now at 43 locations. Since 1976, tires and flat repair have been our main business, and our ASE-Certified tire technicians mount and balance all kinds of tires on all kinds of vehicles. If you need flat repair services, we use industry-standard flat repair tools, supplies, and methods. If flat repair is impossible, we stock replacement tires in most common brands, models, and sizes. If you have a tire leak, have noticed poor fuel economy or traction, or the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) light is on, stop in to have your tires checked as soon as possible.

“You Can Depend on Dobbs” – Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers, Home of the Fixed Forever Service Warranty. Locally and Family Owned Since 1976