2008 Dodge Caliber: Cost of fixing a flat?

Question

I just bought a Dodge Caliber and I just had my first flat on one of the rear tires day after Hurricane Dolly hit. There was alot of debris on the road and well that how I got a flat to begin with. I went to a local tire shop and they informed it would cost $35 to fix one flat!!! Geeeee many Christmas!! I never paid that much to fix a flat. They told me since the Caliber has a air pressure monitoring system (which it does) they would have to reset it once the flat is fixed. But there is nothing to reset... The light goes on because of low pressure but as soon as I bring the tire up to 32lbs it turns off. I even contacted the Dodge dealership to see if they fix flats and they told me they don't and they referred me to the same place they are charging me $35 buck to fix a flat. Well I had the tire fix at the garage and forked over the $35 while laughing in disbelief. Exactly one week later.... I have the flat again! on the same tire!!! I have a good mind to go to the garage tomorrow and asked them to fix it right. I'm not going to pay another $35. Any suggestions? Can't I take it to a small flat fix place with a squinti-eyed guy named Smitty? :) Thanks..

Answer 1

the tires on your car are not usually covered for road hazard repairs .. there is a sensor inside each wheel and if the repair shop knows this, they should not have to charge you more to fix it.. they should be more carefull in doing the repair since if THEY break the sensor --they aint cheap.. then you my have to reset it.. did they plug or patch your tire ? did you see if you picked up another nail or  something else since the repair ???  if its leaking from the same spot they just fixed, they should repair it again for free... I ASSUME THEY ARE A REPUTABLE SHOP...  tire kinda suck unless you pay for road hazard coverage or "big-o tires".. they come with the coverage but they aint cheap eithr..  the average cost here in so. cal to fix a flat is 5.00 for a plug and 10- 20.00 for a boot or patch... 35.00 is a bit steep..   good luck

Answer 2

Any good tire shop can fix a flat regardless of the model and the sensor. And u r right the tire monitoring system has nothing to reset it just makes sure your tires aren't to low.  Its like 20 bucks to fix a flat around here

Answer 3

$8-$15 for a patch here in Texas