[wuddup]

I currently have Toyota Care for my vehicle in San Francisco, California, but was wondering if anyone knew off the bat whether or not patching tires due to a puncture by nail or some other debris is:
1. performed at Toyota servicing centers
2. covered by Toyota Care

 

[Pkrface]

Maybe and no. You'll just have to contact your local dealer and see if they do tire repairs, but it will not be covered by ToyotaCare because tires are not considered mechanical.

 

[69887]

The best place to take a car for a tire puncture is Discount Tire. In San Francisco they are called America's Tire (but same company). The cost is negligible or may even be free for regular customers. However, some punctures cannot be safely repaired. It is best to take it when they are not busy (try calling ahead), unless you can drop it off.

I don't ever go to a dealer for anything to do with tires. I want a shop who does tires and nothing but tires all the time and are experts.

 

[got-rice]

Dealers would do it as good will rather than something they would bill Toyota for.

 

[bodrew]

Got to a reputable tire repair shop instead. If the puncture is in the sidewall, it is not repairable anymore.

 

[69887]

Got to a reputable tire repair shop instead. If the puncture is in the sidewall, it is not repairable anymore.

Even if in the tread, sometimes they cannot (or will not) repair it if the hole is too large, due to liability issues. That happened to me once.

Even though I was far away from home in a different city, I was able to get to Costco with the donut spare, and only paid $15 for a brand new tire due to the road hazard warranty (based on pro-rata depth of tread) that came with the tire when I purchased it at my local Costco.

 

[Vangm25]

Legally, tire patches must be used. You can use a tire plug but "you have to do it right". I was taught:

1. Remove wheel
2. Remove puncture
3. Clean hole
4. Dab tire plug in rubber cement
5. Plug the hole
6. Cutoff excess tire plug
7. Brush area with rubber cement
8. LIGHT IT UP! for a little bit, this helps bond to the tire
9. Check for leaks