What happens if I drive my Chevrolet on a flat tire?

A flat tire that’s not addressed can take a terrible toll on the rest of your car. Until you have it repaired or replaced, drive your Caprice as little as possible to reduce your risk of damage to the wheels and alignment – or further damage to that already struggling tire!

Can I use an emergency/temporary sealant to fix my Chevrolet's flat tire?

Temporary sealants will solve your problem… for a little bit. If you’ve seen temporary or emergency tire sealant before (it usually comes in a can), it can be tempting to turn to this as a solution for your flat tire. Keep in mind that these fixes could buy you some time to get to Firestone Complete Auto Care for a proper repair, but they could also cause some harm in the process (for example, damage to your TPMS). Plus, using a product like this could void your tire warranty.

How long can I drive my Chevrolet on a spare tire?

For starters, your spare tire is designed to go short distances at low speeds. It’s not built to withstand the rough toll that the road can take from everyday driving! Putting off tire repair can also cause uneven tire wear in the long run – which could lead to a potentially costly toll on your steering and suspension system.

Who repairs Chevrolet Caprice tires?

Your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care is equipped to handle most Chevrolet Caprice tire repairs, but it depends on how severe the damage is.

Why do my Caprice tires keep losing air?

If your Caprice tires are always losing air, you may have a puncture, damaged wheel, or leaking valve stem.

Is it necessary to replace all four Chevrolet Caprice tires at once?

It's important to consider replacing your Caprice tires in pairs or all four at once for safety and performance reasons, even if only two of them appear to be worn. If the remaining two tires are significantly newer, they may have different grip than the older tires, which can affect your vehicle’s handling. Always double-check your owner's manual since some vehicles require all four tires to be replaced if there's a tread difference of more than 3/32”.

Tire Repair for Your 1996 Chevrolet Caprice

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Repairing Your Chevrolet Caprice Tire

City populations are exploding. New roads are being built, and old ones are getting a face lift. Everywhere you look, it seems construction is in progress! That means more tire-damaging road debris and flat tires. Firestone Complete Auto Care is here for you when your 1996 Chevrolet Caprice needs flat tire repair or inspection. In some cases, a tire doesn’t have to be replaced – it can be plugged and patched with a simple repair. Depending on the damage, though, a repair might not be the right move. Our technicians can determine which option is best for your situation. We’ll begin by taking a look at where the damage is, the type and extent of the tire damage, and how all of your tires are wearing.

If we determine that your 1996 Chevrolet Caprice tire can be safely repaired, we'll follow three basic steps to repair it: (1) Separate the tire from the vehicle wheel, (2) use a filler to close up the puncture (this is to keep moisture from getting in), and (3) re-seal the inside lining of your tire so that air won’t escape.

Chevrolet Caprice Tire Replacement

Sometimes, 1996 Chevrolet Caprice tire damage calls for more than a repair. For tires that have less than 2/32nd inch of tread left, a repair simply isn’t possible – even if the tire damage is minimal. Tires with this tread depth or less are no longer safe, so it’s time to replace the damaged tire. Other tire damage that can't be safely repaired includes a tire puncture with a diameter bigger than ¼ inch; a puncture that lies outside the tire tread area; a tire with two or more punctures that are less than 16 inches away from each other; and major cuts or separated treads.

When your damaged tire can’t be repaired, consult Chevrolet’s recommendations for replacing one, two, or all four of your tires. For vehicles with AWD, manufacturers recommend replacing all four tires simultaneously. This is because the AWD system can only function optimally when all tires are uniform. However, this may not be necessary if your remaining three tires are new. It’s possible that you will only need to replace the tire that’s damaged – just make sure it’s the same size, type, and brand as the rest of your tires. Your tire technician can help you decide how many tires to replace and the kind of tire to purchase.

Do I Need a Tire Inspection for My Chevrolet Caprice?

A flat tire? That’s pretty hard to ignore. But other tire damage? It’s not always obvious! Tire damage can also show itself through subtle symptoms, like dents in your wheel rims, excessive noise coming from the exhaust system, bumps or bulges in tire sidewalls, or even leaks underneath the car. Stop tire damage in its tracks. Start with a tire inspection on your 1996 Chevrolet Caprice.

Frequently Asked Chevrolet Caprice Tire Repair Questions

What happens if I drive my Chevrolet on a flat tire? A flat tire that’s not addressed can take a terrible toll on the rest of your car. Until you have it repaired or replaced, drive your Caprice as little as possible to reduce your risk of damage to the wheels and alignment – or further damage to that already struggling tire!
Can I use an emergency/temporary sealant to fix my Chevrolet's flat tire? Temporary sealants will solve your problem… for a little bit. If you’ve seen temporary or emergency tire sealant before (it usually comes in a can), it can be tempting to turn to this as a solution for your flat tire. Keep in mind that these fixes could buy you some time to get to Firestone Complete Auto Care for a proper repair, but they could also cause some harm in the process (for example, damage to your TPMS). Plus, using a product like this could void your tire warranty.
How long can I drive my Chevrolet on a spare tire? For starters, your spare tire is designed to go short distances at low speeds. It’s not built to withstand the rough toll that the road can take from everyday driving! Putting off tire repair can also cause uneven tire wear in the long run – which could lead to a potentially costly toll on your steering and suspension system.
Who repairs Chevrolet Caprice tires? Your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care is equipped to handle most Chevrolet Caprice tire repairs, but it depends on how severe the damage is.
Why do my Caprice tires keep losing air? If your Caprice tires are always losing air, you may have a puncture, damaged wheel, or leaking valve stem.
Is it necessary to replace all four Chevrolet Caprice tires at once? It's important to consider replacing your Caprice tires in pairs or all four at once for safety and performance reasons, even if only two of them appear to be worn. If the remaining two tires are significantly newer, they may have different grip than the older tires, which can affect your vehicle’s handling. Always double-check your owner's manual since some vehicles require all four tires to be replaced if there's a tread difference of more than 3/32”.

1996 Chevrolet Caprice Repair

Nothing lasts forever. Even your Chevrolet Caprice's many parts and pieces. When something breaks, we're ready. Click on a repair below to learn more about 1996 Chevrolet Caprice repairs.