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Services Tires & Alignment Flat Repair
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Flat Repair

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Many people choose to get their tires repaired instead of replaced to save money. Choosing the wrong option could result in a blown tire.

Your VIP Certified Automotive Professionals will check your tires for FREE, and advise you of the best option.

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  • 200% LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE
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$49.00
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*Prices vary by vehicle and service provided. Pay at store.

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Helpful Hints
Tire diagram showing repairable punctures in green and non-repairable damage in red.
When to Repair or Replace Tires

Take the mystery out of opting to repair or replace a tire with these simple guidelines.

Repair Your Tire:

  • If the tire has been punctured in the center of the tread area, and it is less than 1/4-inch in diameter.

Diagram showing a tire patch that is not flush on the left and lies flush on the right.

Replace Your Tire:

  • If the puncture in the center tread area is 1/4-inch diameter or greater
  • If the puncture or damage is in the sidewall or shoulder of the tire
  • If the tread is 2/32-inch or less in any area
  • If the tire sustained serious damage in a crash
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How to Stay Safe If You Get a Flat

Getting a flat is never fun, but at least you can stay safe with these tips:

  • Move your vehicle to a safe location off to the side of the road
  • Put your emergency flashers on
  • Call your AAA or similar service from the safety of your vehicle and have them change your tire. Only change a tire yourself if you know what you are doing and can work safely away from the traffic.
  • Put reflective triangles or flares out behind your vehicle if you can do so safely

Tire Punctures: What's Repairable and What's Not

Is the nail, screw, or other damage to your tires repairable? Our World Class Master Technician, Brian Haskell, walks us through TIA-certified guidelines about what’s repairable and what’s not and the why behind it.

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The VIP Experience
Different & Better

At VIP we understand what your car means to you. All of our employees, from our customer service representatives to our world-class ASE-certified master technicians believe in getting the job done right.  We walk you through the work to be done before we begin, including live-feed reviews of your vehicle and copies of your multipoint inspection sent straight to your phone.

With over 32,000 positive Yelp and Google reviews you know you can trust us to be reliable, transparent, and sincere

  • Northern New England’s tire and service leader for almost 100 years
  • The area’s largest family-owned automotive service provider and tire dealer — headquartered in Auburn, ME
  • All locations are staffed with TIA and ASE Certified Automotive Professionals
  • Straight-forward labor and installed parts warranties guarantee the quality of our work
  • Most stores throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut and Vermont are open seven days a week
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VIP Locations

ME
Set as My Store
VIP Tires & Service - Lewiston, ME
485 Sabattus St
Lewiston, ME 04280
(207) 784-5464
0.0 Miles Away
Set as My Store
VIP Tires & Service - Lisbon Street, Lewiston, ME
520 Lisbon Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
(207) 784-0131
1.3 Miles Away
Set as My Store
VIP Tires & Service - Auburn, ME
128 Center Street
Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 783-8561
1.8 Miles Away
Set as My Store
VIP Tires & Service - Topsham, ME
2 Union Park Road
Topsham, ME 04086
(207) 373-1501
15.7 Miles Away
View All Locations

Additional VIP Tires & Alignment Services

Shock & Strut Replacement

Shocks and struts keep your vehicle balanced and riding smoothly by contributing to the overall safety and stability of its steering and suspension. Ensure yours are in good condition with a visit to VIP.

Suspension & Steering

Is your vehicle rocking or dipping over bumps or drifting around corners? If yes, come into VIP to get its shocks and struts checked by one of our Certified Automotive Professionals.

Ride Control Evaluation

Ride Control refers to your vehicle’s ability to stop, turn, and keep its tires on the road. VIP will evaluate your ride control and make suggestions regarding how to improve it.

Steering Repair

Worn out steering components can lead to challenging, reduced, or even no steering control. If your steering is stiff or you’re hearing odd sounds when you steer, VIP will find the root cause and fix it.

Professional Wheel Alignment

If a smooth ride, even tire wear, and improved fuel efficiency sound good to you, come into VIP for a professional wheel alignment. We’ll ensure your car is driving straight.

Tire Balancing & Rotation

Your vehicle’s performance is tied to its tires. When they’re balanced, it drives smoothly and more quietly. When they are rotated, they wear evenly, which results in better handling. Get a FREE tire rotation check at VIP.

Tire Installation

A new set of tires will take you not only to run errands and to work, but on many adventures. Maximize your investment by having VIP expertly install them.
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FAQs

  • Can a flat tire be repaired, or does it need to be replaced?

    Whether a flat tire can be repaired or replaced depends on the size, location, and type of damage. VIP follows Tire Industry Association (TIA) guidelines — punctures within the tire’s central crown area that are 1/4 inch or smaller are generally repairable. Sidewall damage, multiple punctures, larger punctures, or driving on a flat can all mean it’s time for a new tire.

  • How much does it cost to repair a flat tire?

    Flat tire repair is an affordable service, and it’s free with VIP’s Tire Maintenance++ program. Every repair follows TIA guidelines and includes a full inspection inside and out before we patch anything. That inspection ensures we’re fixing the problem, not just covering it up.

  • Is it safe to drive on a flat tire, even for a short distance?

    We get it, sometimes you just need to get somewhere, but, driving on a flat, even briefly, can damage the internal structures of the tire beyond repair and potentially harm your wheel too. If you can safely pull over, it’s best to stop and either swap to a spare tire or call for help. Many of our locations are AAA-approved repair facilities that can get you back on the road quickly and safely.

  • What causes a flat tire?

    There are many reasons a tire might go flat. The usual culprits are nails, screws, and other road debris. You might have a slow leak from a damaged valve stem, a bad seal between the tire and the rim, or simply a tire that’s so worn that it’s losing air over time.

  • Can a tire be patched if the puncture is in the sidewall?

    This is unfortunately a firm “no” per TIA guidelines. Sidewall punctures aren’t repairable because this part of the tire constantly flexes and a repair here isn’t reliable or safe. If the damage is in the sidewall, replacement is the right (and only) answer.

  • One of my flat tires isn’t repairable and I have a AWD or 4WD vehicle. Do I need to replace them all?

    Replacing a single tire on an AWD or 4WD vehicle isn’t always straightforward. All four tires must stay closely matched in size and tread depth. A variance of more than 2/32nds can strain your drivetrain and cause costly damage. Any replacement tire should match the exact brand, model, size, and load and speed rating of your existing tires, and depending on wear you may need to replace in pairs or all four at once.

  • If I have a flat tire and need to replace one of my AWD vehicle’s tires, but my tread difference between all four tires exceeds 2/32nds can you shave my new tire?

    No, VIP does not recommend or perform tire shaving. It’s not a practice that aligns with TIA guidelines, and there are better solutions for matching tread depth on AWD and 4WD vehicles.

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All-Season
All-Weather
All-Terrain
Winter

All-Season

All-Season tires are versatile and suitable for warm and cool climates, but not recommended for extreme hot or cold weather conditions because of specific rubber components.

All-Weather

Like their name suggests, all-weather tires are versatile and can perform well in a variety of weather conditions and can be severe snow-rated.

All-Terrain

With bigger treads than traditional all-season tires, all-terrain tires allow for both on and off-roading capabilities.

Winter

Winter tires are manufactured to perform well in snow, ice, sleet and other cold weather conditions. Winter tires are typically soft, with an intricate grooved tread pattern — made for holding compacted snow and creating traction — and are severe snow-rated.