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How reliable is a patched tire?

I had a flat the other day, and when I took my car in to get it fixed, they said a patch would be all I needed. Is a patch reliable, or should I just get a new tire?

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Sarah Gray · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
It makes sense that you’d be wondering how reliable a patched tire is after just having suffered a flat, but when properly installed, a tire patch is perfectly safe and reliable.
As long as there is no sidewall damage, a flat tire can be repaired in one of three ways:
  • a patch
  • a plug
  • a combination of a plug and patch
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends a combination patch and plug as the best method, but all three are effective.
Even though a flat tire can often be repaired quickly and reliably with a patch, that doesn’t mean you want to be stuck on the side of the road with another one anytime soon. Let
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