Here's what happens when you bring us a flat or damaged tire. We have broken down the 18-steps into five major parts.
TIRE REPAIR NEAR MESTEP ONE: INSPECT THE DAMAGE
We begin by removing the foreign object, such as a nail, using the appropriate tool (never an awl). Then, we carefully inspect and probe the injury to determine:
- Extent of damage
- Angle of the injury channel
- Whether the tire qualifies for safe repair
This inspection ensures we never attempt a repair that could compromise your safety.
STEP TWO: CONFIRM THE TIRE IS REPAIRABLE
Not every tire can or should be repaired. Our process determines if a tire is non-repairable if it meets any of the following conditions:
- Injury is ¼'' or larger
- Damage outside of the repairable tread area*
- Injury overlaps an existing repair
- Tread depth is 2/32'' or less
- Tire is 10 years or older (DOT)
- Three or more existing repairs
- Failed previous repair
- Non-USTMA repair
- Sidewall or shoulder damage
Watch to learn more
See our in-store process for repairing a tire!
*The repairable area begins ½'' from the tread's edge, where the steel belts are present.
If your tire meets any of these criteria, we'll explain why tire replacement is the safer solution.
STEP THREE: PREPARE THE INJURY
Once the tire qualifies for a safe repair, we begin preparing it for repair. This is the process:
- Clean the injured area with pre-buff cleaner
- Scrape the inner liner
- Ream the injury channel using a carbide cutter
- Insert and cement the plug stem
- Trim and contour the plug stem
- Buff a patch area of approximately 3''x3''
- Brush the surface to a black, velvet like texture.
Proper preparation ensures strong adhesion and long-term durability.
STEP FOUR: PATCH-PLUG REPAIR
Discount Tire uses a combination repair method that seals the injury from the inside out. This requires us to unmount the tire from the wheel. After preparing for the repair:
- Apply quick-dry patch cement and allow 30-45 seconds to dry
- Center and apply a universal patch over plug stem
- Stitch the patch using a ball bearing stitcher (center outward, then 90°) to remove air pockets
- Apply repair sealer over buffed area; patch edges but leave center clear to expose "quality checkmark"
This method restores the tire's air retention and structural integrity.
STEP FIVE: FINAL TRIMMING & QUALITY ASSURANCE
The repair is completed with a final trimming and quality check.
- The plug stem is cut flush with the tread surface
- Excess plug material is discarded (never reused)
- A final inspection is performed to ensure a proper seal
Every step is performed with safety and contamination prevention in mind.
Why our process matters
Improper tire repairs can lead to air loss, further structural damage, or tire failure. That's why Discount Tire follows a standardized, safety-focused repair process based on industry best practices.
Your safety is our priority, which is why we:
-Don't cut corners
-Don't repair from the exterior only
-Don't repair unsafe tires
When is replacement a safer option?
We will make every attempt to safely repair your tire when we can. However, if it is not possible to safely fix your current tire, we will recommend tire replacement.
