No one likes dealing with auto tire repair. Sitting on the side of the road with a flat tire is something that most people have experienced at one point or another in their lives. The problem is, if you do not know what you are doing while on the side of the road, you might be in for a little more trouble than you thought. If you're interested in learning more about auto tire repair, then read on.

There are a few different ways to fix a flat tire. There is the more costly way of taking it into an auto shop for professional repair and then there is the more cost efficient way of doing it yourself. If there are large lacerations or tears, there is no way to repair the tire and you will have to purchase a new set. You can plug a tire or patch it. Being that a plug is a temporary fix and you will need to provide a patch for it later, it is best to simply begin with a patch rather than a plug.

If the damage is repairable and you decide to repair the damaged flat tire yourself, you will save yourself some money and learn a valuable lesson for the next time that this happens to you. You should go to your local auto parts store and purchase a tire patch kit. This kit will provide for you everything that you need to make the proper repairs.

The first thing you need to do is to assess your damage. You will need to locate where the puncture is located. One way to do this is to pour some dish soap into a small bucket and make a decently soapy solution. Next, pour the liquid over the tire. Slight bubbling of the liquid will occur where the leak is located.

Once you have located the damage, you can begin your repairs.

First and foremost, you will want to remove the lodged object if there is one. A nail, piece of glass or metal object must be pulled out. Use a pair of pliers for this and be sure to pull the piece out in the same direction as the tires tread.

Once the item has been removed, you will need a tire reamer to clean the hole from the inside of the tire. Now, you are ready to begin your patching.

• First, place the patch over the leak to assure that you have the correct size for your hole.
• Next, buff the area on the tire that is damaged so that it is smooth enough to hold the cement that will be applied next.
• Coat an awl with the cement provided for the patch, located in the kit.
• Now, run the awl in and out of the hole on the tire so that it is generously coated with the cement. It should be applied very liberally. The awl will remain in the hole when through.
• Apply vulcanizing cement to the patch and the damaged area of the tire and let dry thoroughly.
• Apply a thin layer of the cement to the stem on the patch then, pull the stem through the hole.
• Next, you will cut the stem down until you can run your hand over the tires tread and you no longer feel the stem.

Now you are through with the repairs. The next thing that you have to do is check to make sure that it is no longer leaking. Check your valve stems and beads as well for leaks as well. You should spray the dish soapy water liberally onto the tire. Look for bubbling again. If there are no bubbles, then you are back on the road with a fixed tire and more money in your pocket than if you would have had a professional fix it.