Published by Rims & Tires
Compiled & checked by the site's publisher from manufacturer, NHTSA & USTMA data · Updated 2026-08-01
Get off the road first, then find out what you are dealing with. A puncture in the tread area can be permanently repaired: the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association's criteria are an injury no larger than 1/4 inch (6mm), in the tread only, sealed with both a rubber plug and an inner patch. Sidewall and shoulder damage cannot be repaired at all. Here is the whole sequence, from the shoulder of the road to the shop.
What should you do the moment you get a flat?
The moment you feel or hear a flat, do not brake hard. Ease off the throttle, grip the steering wheel firmly, and steer to a safe location — a parking lot, wide shoulder, or exit ramp. Turn on your hazard lights immediately.
Never stop on an interstate unless there is absolutely no alternative. A blowout on a highway at speed is scary, but a controlled coast to the next exit is much safer than stopping in a travel lane.
Once stopped: put the car in park on level ground, set the parking brake, and confirm hazard lights are on.
How do you tell whether you can drive on it?
Look at the tire. Is it fully flat or losing pressure slowly? Can you see the cause — a nail, screw, or foreign object in the tread? Is the sidewall damaged?
If the object is still in the tire and the tire is holding some air, it may be possible to drive slowly (under 20 mph) to a nearby shop. The object is plugging its own puncture. This only works for tread-zone punctures, not sidewall damage.
If the tire is a blowout, with chunks missing or the sidewall torn, do not attempt to drive it. You will destroy the rim.
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How do you change a tire to the spare?
Locate your spare tire, jack, and lug wrench — typically under a cargo mat in the trunk, or mounted underneath the bed of trucks. Consult your owner's manual for the exact jack points on your vehicle.
Loosen the lug nuts before jacking (it is easier when the tire is still on the ground — turn counterclockwise). Jack the vehicle until the flat tire is about six inches off the ground. Remove the lug nuts completely and swap the tires.
Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern, not circular, to avoid warping the hub. Torque to spec with a proper wrench when you get to a shop.
Full-size spare: drive normally to a shop for repair or replacement. Compact donut spare: these are typically rated for 50 mph maximum and 50–70 miles of use only. Get to a shop the same day.
How does a shop repair a flat tire?
By dismounting the tire and repairing it from the inside, which is the only method the industry actually endorses. The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association's requirement is both parts, not either one: a rubber stem, or plug, must fill the puncture injury, and a patch must be applied to seal the innerliner. USTMA is explicit that plug-only and patch-only repairs are unacceptable, which is what makes the roadside plug kit a get-to-the-shop tool rather than a fix.
USTMA also caps what is repairable: the puncture injury cannot be greater than 1/4 inch (6mm) in diameter, and repairs are limited to the tread area. A proper patch-plug repair costs $15–30 and should last the life of the remaining tread.
The shop will also check the rim for damage, reseat the bead properly, and re-balance the tire. Total service time is usually 20–45 minutes.
When can a flat tire not be repaired?
Sidewall punctures or cuts: the sidewall flexes constantly while driving — a repair there will fail under load. Any sidewall damage means a new tire.
Shoulder-area damage: the area where the tread meets the sidewall is under too much stress to hold a repair reliably.
Overlapping repairs: USTMA's rule is that repairs cannot overlap, and that a tire carrying an existing improper repair must be scrapped rather than repaired again. A shop that finds a mushroom plug jammed in from the outside will usually condemn the tire, and that is the correct call, not an upsell.
A puncture larger than 1/4 inch (6mm): past that diameter USTMA considers the injury beyond repair, regardless of where on the tread it sits.
Tread worn below 2/32" at the time of the flat: even a successful repair leaves you with a tire that needs immediate replacement anyway.
Frequently asked
Can I drive on a flat tire?
Only if absolutely necessary, and only for a very short distance at very low speed. Driving on a completely flat tire destroys the sidewall within a mile and can damage the rim. If the puncture is in the tread and the object is still embedded, you may be able to drive slowly to a nearby shop. Otherwise, use your spare.
How much does it cost to fix a flat tire?
A professional patch-plug repair at a tire shop is typically $15–30 and takes 20–45 minutes. If the tire needs replacement, you are looking at the cost of a new tire for your size. Many shops do flat repairs for free if you bought the tires from them.
How long does a tire repair take?
Most flat tire repairs at a shop take 20–45 minutes. A proper patch-plug repair involves dismounting the tire, inspecting the inside, applying the patch, remounting, and balancing. A plug-only repair is faster but is not a permanent fix.
Is a plug-only repair safe?
No, and the industry is unusually direct about it. The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association requires a plug to fill the injury and a patch to seal the innerliner, and states that plug-only or patch-only repairs are unacceptable. An outside-in plug seals the hole but never lets anyone inspect the inside of the tire for the damage the object did on its way through. Use one to reach a shop, then have it done properly.
Can the same tire be repaired more than once?
Sometimes, as long as the repairs do not overlap — that is USTMA's line. Two punctures far apart in the tread, each within the 1/4-inch limit and each done as a plug-and-patch from the inside, is a legitimate tire. Two repairs on top of each other is not, and a tire with an existing improper repair is supposed to be scrapped rather than fixed again.
Do I need to replace all four tires if one gets a flat?
Usually no — one tire can be replaced individually if the others still have adequate tread and are relatively close in brand and model. On AWD vehicles, the manufacturer often recommends matching all four tires in tread depth to avoid differential stress. Check your owner's manual if you drive an AWD.
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Last updated 2026-08-01. General guidance only — confirm specifics with a local shop for your exact vehicle.