During a drive with your buddy having peace of mind, you’ve noticed the car’s speed is decreasing gradually. After getting out of the vehicle to examine the extreme condition, you observed the tire got flat through punctures.
No worries; all you need is to patch your flat tire!
But how much does it cost to patch a tire? Generally, the cost of patching a tire varies. If you do it yourself, around $5-$10 would be enough. Whereas, if you take help from a repair store, the labor can charge up to 30 dollars.
As you can see, the patching cost is different based on the system. And if you try yourself the tire patching job, the cost will drop.
Let’s move on for more details!
How Much Does It Cost to Patch a Tire?
The general cost of patching a tire ranges from around $5 to $15, depending on the patch type, tire, and the damage that occurred. Besides those things, tire patching costs can vary based on labor charges, patch kits, and so on!
On top of that, the cost to patch a tire might be different, considering the different marketplaces and tire repair stores.
For your convenience, we’ve made a short list inside of a chart, letting you see the different costs to patch tires, considering your requirements:
Related: 5 Key Differences Between 225 And 235 Tires In 2024
| DIY Cost | 5-10 Dollars |
|---|---|
| Labor Cost | 25-30 dollars |
| Cost at Walmart | 15 dollars |
| Cost at Firestone | 10-20 dollars |
| Cost at Costco | 10.99 dollars |
| Cost at Goodyear | 14.95 dollars |
Factors Affecting the Cost of Tire Patching
Even though you’ve got to learn about the average tire patching cost, it doesn’t mean it’ll be the same for every single situation!
Some key factors may dramatically affect the overall pricing of patching your vehicle’s tires, and these are given below:
Type of Tire
Based on the type of vehicle, multi types of tires are available these days around the marketplace, from all-terrain to specialty tires.
As a result of that, nobody can share the exact cost of patching a tire without getting familiar with the existing type.
So, you better consult the dealer or an expert if you don’t have any idea about the type of your vehicle’s tire.
This way, they can give you an approximate idea of patching a tire via DIY or repair shop using the appropriate material.
Type of Patch
Even though the prime motive of patching a tire refers to repairing the puncture or hole on the tire, still, there are still differences. Like, 2 types of tire patches are available, including tubeless and tube patches.
In short, if your vehicle’s tires lack inner tubes, you will need assistance from a tubeless patch.
At the same time, a tube patch is a go-to for one that consists of inner tubes. And that’s where the cost of patching goes up and down, depending on the patches!
Size and Location of Puncture
Have you observed a giant puncture right into the shoulder or sidewall area? In such cases, it is sometimes impossible to repair or patch the tire to get rid of the issue.
Also, note that the punctured area should be far away (at least half an inch +) from the interior steel belt of the tires, especially from where it begins. Or else, replacement would be the only solution!
Lastly, if the puncture appears to be less than 2.5 inches in diameter, you can get it patched. Multiple punctures mightn’t be patched in the way you want, so you must pay attention to the location, size, and quantity of punctures before starting a patch.
Tire Age and Condition
Last but certainly not least, pay attention to the overall condition and age of the tire before patching it. Over time, tires are prone to get seriously damaged, just like other components of your car.
So, if you’ve been using them for quite a long time and their condition is poor, patching won’t be able to give the ultimate satisfaction! Besides, if you’ve already patched those tires before, you can’t do this anymore, being already fragile.
On the other hand, if your car’s tires don’t face any significant torture yet, simply go for the patching as it is in better condition. And the patching will possibly last up to 10 years.
DIY Tire Patching Vs. Professional Tire Patching
After the determination to patch the tire, 2 handy options are available in your hands: either take a professional’s help or do it yourself!
It is no secret that DIY tire patching is definitely the cheapest way to fix it, while professional tire patching will cost you some extra bucks!
With that being said, it is equally valid that some patching can’t be done by yourself, mainly if the tire contains multiple punctures on tricky spots.
So, for ease, we’d share a basic chart to guide you through DIY tire patching and professional tire patching costs:
| Criteria | DIY Tire Patching | Professional Tire Patching |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Patch | 2 dollars | 5 dollars |
| Tire Jack | 0 to 15 dollars | – |
| Labor Cost | – | 25-30 dollars |
| Total Repair Cost | 2 to 17 dollars | 30 to 35 dollars |
- Tire Plug Vs. Patch Cost
In a nutshell, tire patches are relatively more effective than tire plugs, mainly for dealing with punctures near the sidewall and larger holes. That’s why the cost won’t be the same between them.
Let’s say an average tire patching can cost 25-30 dollars, especially if you take professional assistance. Conversely, tire plugs require not more than 20 dollars, making them slightly less expensive!
To clear further doubts, you can watch the given video:
Is Patching a Tire Worth It?
Have you found that your tires’ condition is comparatively better rather than being drastically punctured? If so, then it’s worth patching them immediately!
In fact, it doesn’t hurt your wallet, even if you take assistance from the selected maintenance center mentioned above (e.g., Walmart, Costco, or Firestone). On the other hand, if you notice significant punctures, holes, or cracks bigger than ¼ inches, then patching won’t be the ultimate solution.
In that situation, you must consult the dealer for other replacements or repairs in those situations. An average standard tire will take 50-200 dollars for the cost to replace a tire.