How soon should I have my flat tire repaired?

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 Thunderbird as little as possible to reduce your risk of damage to the wheels and alignment – or further damage to that already struggling tire!

Will a temporary sealant fix my Ford'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.

What’s the harm in using my spare tire for a while?

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.

Where can I get my Ford Thunderbird tires repaired?

In most cases, your nearby Firestone Complete Auto Care can handle your Ford Thunderbird tire repair. Ultimately, the severity of the damage will determine if your tires can be repaired.

Why do my Thunderbird tires keep losing air?

Possible reasons for your Thunderbird tires continuously losing air include a leaking valve steam, wheel damage, and a puncture or hole in the rubber.

Is it necessary to replace all four Ford Thunderbird tires at once?

Replacing all four tires on your Thunderbird is not always necessary. However, it is recommended that you replace tires in pairs or all four tires at the same time for safety and performance reasons. If you have two new tires and two worn tires, the worn tires may not grip the road as well as the new tires, which could cause your car to slide or lose control. Always refer to your vehicle owner’s manual since some vehicles require you to replace all four tires if there is a tread difference greater than 3/32”.

1985 Ford Thunderbird Tire Repair Services

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Repairing Your Ford Thunderbird Tire

Urban areas are booming. New roads are being built, and old ones are getting a face lift. It seems construction is everywhere these days! Unfortunately, this can mean a higher chance of a flat or damaged tire caused by debris in the road. If the road has been rough on your 1985 Ford Thunderbird tires, Firestone Complete Auto Care can help. 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. To start, we’ll consider the location of tire damage, the type of issue, the size and scope of the damage, and the amount of wear on your tires.

If we determine that your 1985 Ford Thunderbird tire can be safely repaired, we'll follow three basic steps to repair it: (1) Take the tire off the wheel for easy inspection, (2) fill the puncture to keep the moisture out, and (3) seal the inner liner with a repair unit to prevent air loss.

Ford Thunderbird Tire Replacement

Unfortunately, some 1985 Ford Thunderbird tire damage can’t be effectively repaired. Even if your tire damage is minor, if your tires have less than 2/32nd inch of tread remaining, a repair isn’t possible (or safe). 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 puncture in the tire that is ¼ inch or greater in diameter; a puncture in the tire sidewall (or anywhere else that’s not within the tread area); a tire with two or more punctures that are less than 16 inches away from each other; and a tire with tread separation or significant cuts.

Depending on what Ford recommends for your car, you’ll want to consider purchasing one new tire, two new tires, or a new full set. 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. Just replaced your tires and only one is damaged? You may not need to buy another new full set after all. 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.

Ford Thunderbird Tire Inspection

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. Bring your 1985 Ford Thunderbird in for a tire inspection so we can assess the damage and help keep you safe on the road.

Ford Thunderbird Tire Repair Questions

How soon should I have my flat tire repaired? 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 Thunderbird as little as possible to reduce your risk of damage to the wheels and alignment – or further damage to that already struggling tire!
Will a temporary sealant fix my Ford'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.
What’s the harm in using my spare tire for a while? 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.
Where can I get my Ford Thunderbird tires repaired? In most cases, your nearby Firestone Complete Auto Care can handle your Ford Thunderbird tire repair. Ultimately, the severity of the damage will determine if your tires can be repaired.
Why do my Thunderbird tires keep losing air? Possible reasons for your Thunderbird tires continuously losing air include a leaking valve steam, wheel damage, and a puncture or hole in the rubber.
Is it necessary to replace all four Ford Thunderbird tires at once? Replacing all four tires on your Thunderbird is not always necessary. However, it is recommended that you replace tires in pairs or all four tires at the same time for safety and performance reasons. If you have two new tires and two worn tires, the worn tires may not grip the road as well as the new tires, which could cause your car to slide or lose control. Always refer to your vehicle owner’s manual since some vehicles require you to replace all four tires if there is a tread difference greater than 3/32”.

1985 Ford Thunderbird Repair

Your Ford Thunderbird runs best when it’s well cared for. Keep your car running newer, longer with repairs from Firestone Complete Auto Care. Learn more about 1985 Ford Thunderbird repairs below.