Tire Repair for Your 1998 GMC Sonoma

Get Tires for Your GMC Sonoma

Keep your car in its best shape from the bottom up. Shop for tires today, then schedule a fast, easy installation appointment at Firestone Complete Auto Care.

Repairing Your GMC Sonoma Tire

Cities are growing. New roads and buildings are springing up. Everywhere you look, it seems construction is in progress! New progress is exciting, but the road debris it leaves behind may mean trouble for your tires. If the road has been rough on your 1998 GMC Sonoma tires, Firestone Complete Auto Care can help. Our tire technicians can determine whether it's safe to plug and patch the tire, or whether it needs to be replaced. 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 1998 GMC Sonoma tire can be safely repaired, we'll follow three basic steps to repair it: (1) Separate the tire from the vehicle wheel, (2) fill the puncture to keep the moisture out, and (3) seal the inner liner with a repair unit to prevent air loss.

GMC Sonoma Tire Replacement

Unfortunately, some 1998 GMC Sonoma tire damage can’t be effectively repaired. Tires with less than 2/32nd inch tread remaining can't be repaired, no matter how minor the damage. Tires with this tread depth or less are no longer safe, so it’s time to replace the damaged tire. If your tire is not yet worn down, there are other forms of damage that simply can’t be repaired, like a tire with a puncture larger than ¼ inch in diameter; a tire with a puncture or damage outside 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 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. But, if you’ve recently replaced your tires and they don’t have significant wear, a new set might not be needed. 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. 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.

Do I Need a Tire Inspection for My GMC Sonoma?

A flat tire is a surefire sign of tire damage, but other indicators of tire issues aren’t so easy to spot. 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. Stay ahead of potentially dangerous tire issues. Bring your 1998 GMC Sonoma in for a tire inspection.

GMC Sonoma Tire Repair Questions

  • What happens if I drive my GMC on a flat tire? Driving on a flat tire is not a good idea. Your Sonoma engine will keep running with a flat tire, but you could damage your wheel by continuing to drive on a flat.
  • Is temporary sealant bad for my GMC's tires? Fast fixes are a mixed blessing. They’ll help you get your GMC Sonoma 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? 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 GMC Sonoma tires? Your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care is equipped to handle most GMC Sonoma tire repairs, but it depends on how severe the damage is.
  • What is causing the tires on my Sonoma to keep losing air? If your Sonoma tires are always losing air, you may have a puncture, damaged wheel, or leaking valve stem.
  • Do all four tires on a GMC Sonoma have to be replaced at the same time? It's important to consider replacing your Sonoma 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”.

Repair Services for Your 1998 GMC Sonoma

Your GMC Sonoma runs best when it’s well cared for. Keep your car running newer, longer with repairs from Firestone Complete Auto Care. Learn more about 1998 GMC Sonoma repairs below.