Tire Repair Costs [Prices And Much More!]

Last Updated on February 1, 2023 by Leepu Da Maxim

On average, the tire repair costs range between $5 and $60 for each tire. For that price, the mechanic will patch up your puncture. But, if you have special membership at a tire retailer like Costco, then you don’t have to spend money on tire repair.

List of Average Prices for Common Tire Repairs

• Patch repair: $10-$20
• Plug repair: $20-$30
• Sidewall repair: $50-$100
• Tire replacement: $100-$500

Tire Repair Costs (Explained)

Nature Of Repair	Cost	Important Notes
DIY (Do-It-Yourself)	Between $5 and $50	The price is for the repair kit
Flat Standard Tire	Between $5 and $40	–
Run Flat Tire	Between $30 and $60	–
Replacement (due to severe damage)	Upwards of $500	–

In this article, you’ll get answers to these crucial questions:

1. How Much Does It Cost To Patch a Tire at Walmart?

2. Is it Worth it to Repair Tires?

3. Is It Cheaper to Repair or Replace a Tire?

4. How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Slow Puncture?

5. Can You Patch A Tire to Save Tire Repair Costs?

Now, it’s time to repair that tire.

Tire Repair Costs Across Different Auto Service Places

Here’s a table capturing various tire repair costs:

Auto Service Place	Price	Important Notes
Costco	$10.99 per tire	If you installed the tire at Costco, you will pay nothing.
Walmart	$15 per tire	You may wait up to 5 hours because of the ever-long queue.
Les Schwab	$20	Tire repair is free if you bought the tires at Les Schwab.
TireRack.com	$25	–

Now, let’s answer the crucial questions.

How Much Does It Cost To Patch a Tire at Walmart?

As noted in the table, it costs $15 to patch a tire at Walmart. But, you’ll wait for at least an hour before they repair the tire.

Why the wait?

Well, Walmart’s auto services draw a lot of customers. So, if you want the job done quicker, get there earlier.

Is It Worth It To Repair Tires?

The short answer is it depends. For the long answer, I’ll steer you forward and give you four scenarios. If you’re in any of them, repair the tire. If not, buy a new one.

1. Your puncture is less than ¼ inches long. If the hole is deeper than that, the damage is irreparable. So, you will have to shop for new tires. When you do, avoid the worst tire brands in the USA.

2. Your puncture is in the tread area and not the sidewall. Sidewall areas expand to the outside, meaning they can rip off quicker. If repaired, the puncture may not hold and can lead to a tire burst.

3. You have more than one puncture, but they are 16 inches apart. Many holes are not bad, but they shouldn’t be closer to each other. If the distance between them is less than 16 inches, it’s time to retire the tire.

4. Your puncture is not in a place that was already damaged. If it is, the area has become weaker, and you cannot repair the tire anymore.

Is It Cheaper To Repair Or Replace A Tire?

It’s way cheaper to repair a tire than to replace it. Remember that replacing a tire attracts two prices:

1. The tire cost

2. And the installation cost

And though some retailers won’t charge you for installation, you’ll still pay much.

If you look at this tire price guide, you’ll see that tires can cost up to $1000.

So, if you can repair the tire, but if it’s irreparable, replace it.

How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Slow Puncture?

To repair a slow puncture, you’ll pay between $27 and $34 (Fixter.co.uk). But wait, what’s this slow puncture thing?

It is a tiny hole in the tire that’s easy to miss with the naked eye. But, you’ll hear a hissing sound if you pay attention.

And it’s slow because the air may pass for days, weeks, or even months without you noticing.

But how can you know?

Signs That You Have A Slow Tire

1. Your suspension will start feeling harder, and your car will respond slower.

2. You will refill your tire pressure more times than usual. Since the puncture isn’t significant, your tire sensor may not detect it soon enough. And you’ll keep pumping until you start feeling suspicious.

3. Your steering wheel will vibrate because of the pressure imbalance in the tires.

Repairing A Slow Puncture

It’s easy to repair a slow puncture. But, you’ll need to know what’s causing it.

1. If you’re dealing with nails or screws, you can fit the hole with a rubber plug. That’ll fix the puncture before you take the car to a mechanic.

2. If the puncture is on the sidewall, don’t fix it. Sidewall punctures often lead to tire blowouts. So replacing your tire is the safest option.

3. If you’re not sure about what causes the problem, remove the tire. And to know how long it’ll take to change a tire, read here.

Can You Patch A Tire To Save Tire Repair Costs?

If you’re confident in your DIY skills, here are tire repair steps you can follow:

1. First, remove the tire from your car. If you need a refresher, read this.

2. Then, detach the tire from the wheel (rim).

3. Use a rough material (like sanding paper) and clean the inside liner of the tire.  If you don’t have one, you can buy [amazon link=”B07VSFMNCJ” title=”this one from Amazon” /].

4. Now, identify where the hole is. Once you pick it out, use white chalk and draw a mark around it.

5. Then, clean the hole using a drill. 

6. Place your repair patch through the hole, covering the area around it.

7. At the base of your patch, add a sealer (get it[amazon link=”B000GKD722″ title=”here on Amazon” /] ).

8. Since you’ve completed the job, mount your tire back to its rim.

9. Then, rebalance it and put it back in the car.

CarsAmazing 101:

For you to repair your tire, you need a complete repair kit. And you can [amazon link=”B07F31J7S9″ title=”get a quality one from Amazon” /] at no extra cost, just a commission for us.

Conclusion

Here’s a wrap-up of the article:

1. When your tire flattens, be ready to chuck anything up to $60. And if the damage is in excess, start thinking of buying new tires.

2. If you bought your tires at a reputable retailer, take your puncture to them. That way, you’ll enjoy the free perks of a costless repair.

3. And if the question is to repair or to replace, assess the puncture. If you can fix it, take the option fast. But, if the hole is deep and extensive, you’re safer replacing than repairing it.

4. When repairing a slow puncture, use a repair plug. That way, you’ll have time to drive to a mechanic who’ll fix it.

5. To patch up a tire, ensure you have all the necessary tools. I wouldn’t want you to get stuck in the middle of the job. So, be ready for it. [amazon link=”B07F31J7S9″ title=”Complete repair kits” /], [amazon link=”B07VSFMNCJ” title=”sandpapers” /], and [amazon link=”B000GKD722″ title=”sealers” /] should always be in the garage of any driver. That includes you.

That’s all!

I’d love it if you share this post. That way, you’ll help more people know about tire repair costs. Thanks for reading, and enjoy these other posts:

1. How To Start A Car That Has Run Out Of Oil.

2. Unlocking A Locked Car Without A Key.

3. What Is The Time It Takes To Assemble A Car?

References:

https://www.motorverso.com/tire-patch-cost/

https://www.cashcarsbuyer.com/tire-patch-cost/