the car is a 2007 Nissan Versa. I hit a curb and the left front tire became flat. thanks for any suggestion.How much does a tire change or repair cost? Or should I change or repair the tire?You could get the tyre repaired, take it to a garage and ask if it's possible. If not, you'll have to buy a remould or a new tyre.How much does a tire change or repair cost? Or should I change or repair the tire?A lot of times when you hit a curb, you will not damage the tire, but bend the wheel. Most steel wheel can be straightened enough to seal the tire and hold air. Sometimes, however, the tire will be damaged and non-repairable. The tire shops around here charge around $12.00 to repair a flat.
Hope this helps.
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By all means, if your insurance will cover it, let them pay for it. That's what you pay insurance for. It shouldn't do anything to your rates.How much does a tire change or repair cost? Or should I change or repair the tire?If you purchased the tires from an independent shop, you were most likely given the option of buying road hazard protection for each tire. If that is the case then you are covered, just return the tire to that location. If not, then I would have the tire checked out for inner-wall damage. If a tire goes flat and is ridden on or it remains resting on the flat for an extended period of time, say a couple of days, then the inner-sidewall is damaged and actually has weakened the integrity of the tire. Have a tech remove the tire from the wheel and inspect in inner-sidewall of the tire. If any of the rubber is cracked or flaking off the inside of the tire, it needs to be replaced.How much does a tire change or repair cost? Or should I change or repair the tire?Here are my suggestions:
1. Best scenario: your tire is fine and only loss air when it hit the curb. This is a long shot but can be at no cost to try. If you have a pump, try filling it with air to 40psi and listen for any clear hissing sounds or wait for an hour (keep the pump handy) and check the pressure, If it has dropped more than 3psi then you know you have a leak.
2. Bad scenario. Your tire is damaged. If it would take air (40 psi) for at least a couple of hours, then drive it to the nearest tire shop, if not you'll need to put on the spare (make sure it has air). If it's fixable, it'll be around $15. If it's beyond repair changing one tire for your Versa should cost around $60 - $100 per tire (tire cost + mounting cost + balancing + disposal of old tire) If the the right front tire is already half way worn out, you may need to change both front tires due to safety when hard braking.
3. Worst scenario. Your wheel rim is bent. Unfortunately I think this is the most likely scenario. Hitting a curb very hard may have caused the rims to become bent or cracked thus leaking air. Put on the spare tire and go to a tire shop, they may be able to fix your damaged wheel or if not replace it. Your tire maybe fine. If your Versa has hub caps (no alloy wheels) then replacing the steel wheel should be around $40 per wheel + mounting + balancing. If it's an allow wheel then it may cost $100 per wheel.
