Car Tire Repair FAQ: Warnings Signs, Retreads, How To Save, And More

To save you time and help consumers shop smart, today’s post answers some of the most common questions our technicians get about car tire repairs.

Read on to learn all you need to know to get started, or contact your local TIRECRAFT for a free car tire repair consultation and quote.

Car Tire Repair FAQ: Shop Smart With TIRECRAFT

1.   How Can I Tell It’s Time To Book A Car Tire Repair Service?

If you’ve got a flat tire, either from a bead leak, sidewall damage, or puncture, it’s clearly time to book a car tire repair. But some warning signs are less obvious.

Take a moment to inspect your tires and check the dashboard, and book a car tire repair consultation if you detect any of the following:

• Your tire warning light stays on—Since 2008, all vehicles have been manufactured with tire-pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), which continuously monitor inflation levels and alert drivers when air pressure is dangerously low. Sometimes a quick tire inflation will do the trick, but if this light stays on or reappears, you may have a puncture in need of repair, and our technicians can diagnose the problem and quote your repair at no cost.
• Your tire tread is low—Most car tire repair experts recommend driving with at least 6/32-inch tread depth, which is about 4.7mm. If your tread depth is any less, you may need to book a special car tire repair service known as a “retreading,” or else replace the tire altogether.
• Your tires have uneven wear patterns—If you notice excessive center wear, side ear, cupping, feathering, or flat-spotting, you will either need to find a replacement set or book a major car tire repair, along with a wheel balancing or alignment.

2.   Can All Tire Damage Be Repaired?

Not all tire damage can be repaired. If you notice any of the following signs, you’ll likely need a tire replacement instead:

• Shoulder punctures
• Overlapping car tire repairs
• Large punctures (e.g., any holes larger than ¼ inch in diameter for passenger cars or ⅜ inch for light trucks)
• Weakened sidewall

Nevertheless, before you buy a new set, ask our car tire repair experts for a second opinion—it’s 100% free and it could save you a lot of money.

3.   How Can I Save Money On Car Tire Repairs?

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and your local TIRECRAFT offers all the recommended tire upkeep services (e.g., rotations, wheel balancing, inflation, etc.), along with professional storage solutions to help you protect your investment.

Additionally, TIRECRAFT customers can save money on car tire repairs by:

• Cashing in MyTIRECRAFT rewards points to drive down the costs of car tire repair services
• Taking advantage of free car tire repair services offered through the Advantage Plus Program and Road Hazard Protection plan
• Exploring tire retreading solutions

4.   Is Retreading A Safe Form Of Car Tire Repair? Are My Tires Suitable?

Yes! Retread tires have long been deemed just as safe as any others by the Canadian federal government, and nearly 80% of the world’s airlines and off-road, heavy-duty vehicles use retreaded tires on a regular basis.

Tires cannot be retread if they have been run underinflated, worn down to less than 4/32” of tread, or improperly maintained. For a definitive answer, contact your local TIRECRAFT.

5.   Where Can I Find A Free Car Tire Repair Quote?

Just contact your local TIRECRAFT—we have 300+ shops around the country standing by to help.

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