Can I drive my GMC on a flat tire?

Driving on a flat or underinflated tire can put extra stress on your wheels and alignment. While it’s sometimes necessary to drive a short distance on a flat tire to get to a safe place, don’t take any other trips in your K3500 until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.

Will a temporary sealant fix my GMC's flat tire?

Fast fixes are a mixed blessing. They’ll help you get your GMC K3500 to Firestone Complete Auto Care, but don’t count on them to keep you on the road for very long. Using a temporary sealant may also void a Bridgestone or Firestone tire warranty.

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

While this sounds great in theory, keep in mind that most spare tires are not designed for distance or speed. The compact spare tire that most likely sits inside your 1996 GMC K3500 is intended for only a few days of use, so don’t use it as a substitute for getting your tire repaired.

Who can repair GMC K3500 tires?

In most cases, your nearby Firestone Complete Auto Care can handle your GMC K3500 tire repair. Ultimately, the severity of the damage will determine if your tires can be repaired.

Why do my K3500 tires keep losing air?

Tire punctures, damaged wheels, and leaking valve stems are possible reasons for your K3500 tires continuously losing air.

Do I have to replace all four GMC K3500 tires at the same time?

When replacing the tires on your K3500, it's best to err on the side of caution and replace them in pairs or all four at once. Worn tires can compromise your car's handling and braking, especially if they're paired with newer tires. Refer to your owner's manual to determine whether your vehicle requires all four tires to be replaced if there's a tread difference.

1996 GMC K3500 Flat Tire Repair Service

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Repairing Your GMC K3500 Tire

Cities are growing. New roads are being built, and old ones are getting a face lift. It seems construction is everywhere these days! That means more tire-damaging road debris and flat tires. Firestone Complete Auto Care is here for you when your 1996 GMC K3500 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 start by evaluating the state of wear, the location of damage, type of damage, and the size of the damage.

If we determine that your 1996 GMC K3500 tire can be safely repaired, we’ll get to work on the steps to fix 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.

Tire Replacement for Your GMC K3500

Sometimes, 1996 GMC K3500 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. Some tire issues are easy and straightforward to repair, but other kinds of tire damage can’t be properly repaired. Tire damage that can’t be repaired effectively include a tire puncture with a diameter bigger than ¼ inch; 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 major cuts or separated treads.

Sometimes, it's in your best interest to buy one, two, or four new tires depending on GMC's recommendation. For example, it’s usually recommended that you replace all four tires at the same time on AWD vehicles. Why? Because having four identical tires is vital for the AWD system to perform like it’s supposed to. Just replaced your tires and only one is damaged? You may not need to buy another new full set after all. If you can replace your damaged tire with the same type, brand, and size as the others, you may be able to save costs and only purchase one replacement. Still not sure how many tires to replace or what kind to buy? A trained tire technician at Firestone Complete Auto Care is ready and waiting to answer your questions.

GMC K3500 Tire Inspection

Some tire issues can cause you to have a flat, but other damage isn't so noticeable right away. 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 1996 GMC K3500 in for a tire inspection so we can assess the damage and help keep you safe on the road.

GMC K3500 Tire Repair Questions

Can I drive my GMC on a flat tire? Driving on a flat or underinflated tire can put extra stress on your wheels and alignment. While it’s sometimes necessary to drive a short distance on a flat tire to get to a safe place, don’t take any other trips in your K3500 until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
Will a temporary sealant fix my GMC's flat tire? Fast fixes are a mixed blessing. They’ll help you get your GMC K3500 to Firestone Complete Auto Care, but don’t count on them to keep you on the road for very long. Using a temporary sealant may also void a Bridgestone or Firestone tire warranty.
How long can I drive my GMC on a spare tire? While this sounds great in theory, keep in mind that most spare tires are not designed for distance or speed. The compact spare tire that most likely sits inside your 1996 GMC K3500 is intended for only a few days of use, so don’t use it as a substitute for getting your tire repaired.
Who can repair GMC K3500 tires? In most cases, your nearby Firestone Complete Auto Care can handle your GMC K3500 tire repair. Ultimately, the severity of the damage will determine if your tires can be repaired.
Why do my K3500 tires keep losing air? Tire punctures, damaged wheels, and leaking valve stems are possible reasons for your K3500 tires continuously losing air.
Do I have to replace all four GMC K3500 tires at the same time? When replacing the tires on your K3500, it's best to err on the side of caution and replace them in pairs or all four at once. Worn tires can compromise your car's handling and braking, especially if they're paired with newer tires. Refer to your owner's manual to determine whether your vehicle requires all four tires to be replaced if there's a tread difference.

Repair Services for Your 1996 GMC K3500

Nothing lasts forever. Even your GMC K3500's many parts and pieces. When something breaks, we're ready. Click on a repair below to learn more about 1996 GMC K3500 repairs.