Tire guide
Straight answers to the questions drivers ask when a tire goes flat: what can be fixed, what cannot, and why.
A small puncture (about 1/4 inch or less) in the tread of a tire that is otherwise healthy can usually be repaired. Anything in the sidewall or shoulder, larger holes, bulges, worn-out tread, or internal damage from driving on a flat means the tire should be replaced. The only way to know for sure is to take the tire off the wheel and inspect it from the inside. An emergency plug can get you moving, but it is a temporary fix until the tire is inspected and permanently repaired or replaced.
Only for a short, slow distance, and only if the tire is holding air. Leave the nail in, because it is partly sealing the hole.
A nail or screw can let air out slowly or all at once. If the pressure warning comes on, or the tire looks low, stop driving and get it checked. A nail in the main tread is often repairable. A nail in or near the sidewall usually is not.
Mobile flat tire repairA puncture up to about 1/4 inch across, in the tread area, on a tire that is otherwise in good condition.
Industry repair standards limit repairs to the tread area, away from the shoulder and sidewall. The tire should be removed from the wheel and inspected inside, because damage that is invisible from the outside can make a repair unsafe. Repairs should not overlap an earlier repair.
Flat tire repairSidewall or shoulder damage, punctures larger than about 1/4 inch, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, or tread worn down to the wear bars.
The sidewall flexes constantly and cannot hold a repair. A bulge means the internal structure is damaged and the tire can fail without warning. Tread at or below 2/32 inch is below the legal minimum in Virginia and should be replaced regardless of punctures.
Mobile tire replacementSometimes, but often not. It has to be inspected from the inside first.
Driving on a flat, even a short distance, can crush and grind the inside of the sidewall. Signs include a ring of rubber dust or a crease inside the tire. If that damage is there, the tire is not safe to repair even if the hole itself is small. Many run-flat tires also have manufacturer limits on repairs after being driven while deflated.
24/7 roadside tire helpAn emergency plug is a temporary roadside fix to get you moving. A permanent repair is done with the tire removed from the wheel and inspected inside, usually with a plug-patch that fills the hole and seals the inner liner.
TRS offers emergency plugs as part of roadside service when the puncture allows it. A plug is installed from the outside without removing the tire, so nobody can see whether the inside was damaged. After an emergency plug, have the tire inspected and permanently repaired or replaced. Whether either option is possible depends on where the puncture is, the tire's condition, and what the inspection finds; TRS will tell you which applies to your tire.
Emergency plugs and permanent repairsOften, yes, if the other tires still have plenty of tread. All-wheel-drive vehicles are stricter.
Mixing a new tire with worn ones changes how the car handles, so a new tire is usually paired with the other tire on the same axle, or installed on the rear. Many all-wheel-drive vehicles require all four tires to have closely matched tread depth to protect the drivetrain, so check the owner's manual. TRS can measure your tread and advise before installing.
Mobile tire installationThe repair safety rules are the same, but how the vehicle is lifted, how the tire is built, and which replacement fits all vary by manufacturer and model.
EVs carry a battery pack under the floor, so each manufacturer specifies its own lift points, and some air-suspension models need a jack or service mode turned on before lifting. Some EV tires have sound-dampening foam inside, which an internal repair has to work around. EVs are also heavy, so replacements must match the manufacturer's size, load, and speed specifications. TRS follows the procedure for your specific vehicle.
Tesla, Rivian, and EV tire serviceSend a photo and the details. TRS Mobile Tire Shop will tell you whether it looks repairable and confirm the estimate before dispatch.
