Few things are more stressful than car problems. Even minor issues, like a flat tire, can be nerve-racking if you rely on your vehicle to get to work or school, pick up the kids, run errands, and more. At Kernersville Auto Center, we can get you back on the road quickly. So, stop wasting time searching for flat tire fix near me and schedule an appointment. Or, just stop by to get your tire repaired or replaced so you an get back to your normal life.

So You Got a Flat Tire – Here’s What to Do!

Flat tires come in two varieties. First, you could have a slow leak. Over time, all tires lose air and need a refill. However, tires should only lose one or two PSI per month, so you shouldn’t have to refill your tires more than a few times per year. If your tires are losing air more quickly, you may have a slow leak. Here are some common signs that your tires may soon need replacement.

Keep in mind that you can lose more air due to temperature changes, even without a slow leak. You should check your tire pressure once a month, especially during the fall and winter.

Second, you could have a puncture or even full blowout while driving. You’ll typically feel it when it happens and your first priority should be to pull over safely as soon as possible. Flat tires can happen due to a number of reasons:

• Debris on the road, such as a nail or sharp rock
• Poor road conditions or hitting a pothole
• Valve stem damage
• A slow leak that you neglected
• Overinflated or underinflated tires
• Intentional damage, such as someone using a sharp object to slash your tires

Once you pull over, identify the problem tire and replace it with a temporary spare tire (donut). If you’re not sure how to change a tire, this link gives you a step-by-step overview. If you are a member of AAA or your insurance comes with roadside assistance, you can also call for help, but be prepared to wait!

Driving on a Donut

Once you’ve replaced your damaged tire with your donut, you should be able to safely drive home or to our shop. Keep in mind that a donut is a very temporary solution. While driving on your spare tire, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• You should not drive over 50 mph if possible. Avoid highways if you can.
• Check the tire pressure on your spare tire, especially if it had not been checked recently.
• Be aware that your traction/stability control won’t be working properly. You’ll also need to give yourself more time when breaking.
• Your car will not handle as well. Drive very cautiously and only as far as necessary.

In general, we do not recommend driving more than 50 miles on a spare tire. Donuts are a short-term fix to get your car off the side of the road, not as a long-term solution. Always bring your vehicle to our shop for a tire repair or tire replacement as soon as you can.

Tire Repair or Replacement: Which Is Better?

Tires that have a slow leak or simple puncture can sometimes be repaired instead of replaced. Is this the right choice, though? Or is it better to replace a tire when you have a flat?

To start, there are two different types of tire repair: plug and patch.

• Plugs are small pieces of rubber that expand to fill a hole. They can be effective if the hole in your tire is small. However, if the hole is larger or irregularly shaped, a plug may not work.
• Patches are strips of rubber placed over a hole. They bond with the tire to form a seal and can work even if the hole is slightly larger or irregular.

The best tire repair option is a combination of a plug and patch. While there are DIY tire patch kits out there, we heavily recommend you leave this job to the professionals. When you do it yourself, these fixes can fail pretty quickly and may even result in a blow out. However, when one of the professionals at Kernersville Auto Center repairs your tire, it can last for several years. These are permanent fixes, not temporary repairs.

Not every tire can be repaired. While we do our best to repair tires in order to help you save money, we will never recommend a repair if we don’t think it will last. We don’t want you to pay for a repair only to be back a few weeks later needing a tire replacement.

FAQs About Finding Flat Tire Fix Near Me

If you are looking for a reliable and fast flat tire fix near me, our experienced mechanics are Kernersville Auto Center can help. Additionally, our shop can help you with a wide variety of car repair and maintenance needs. Here are a few frequently asked questions about our shop:

How fast can I get a flat tire fix near me?

We prioritize our customers who make appointments in advance. However, you can also stop by our shop to see if we have availability to fix a minor problem. We get you in and out as fast as possible.

What can I do to avoid tire problems?

We have the same advice for avoiding tire issues as we have for avoiding all car problems: maintain your vehicle well. If you check your vehicle regularly, you can catch minor issues before they have a major effect on your car.

Do you offer other vehicle services?

In addition to providing a flat tire fix near me when you need it, we can also perform oil changes, align your wheels, replace your brakes, repair your transmission, and more. We even have a high-quality professional car wash to make sure your car looks like a million bucks. Schedule your appointment now or give us a call to take care of any vehicle needs.