It’s best to introduce yourself to new roads with a firm grip. Find the best tires for your Kia Sportage at Firestone Complete Auto Care, and schedule your installation appointment online in minutes.
Cities are growing. New roads are being built, and old ones are getting a face lift. 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. Firestone Complete Auto Care is here for you when your 2016 Kia Sportage 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. 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 your 2016 Kia Sportage tire puncture can be repaired, the repair process is actually fairly simple: (1) Remove the tire from the wheel for inspection and repair, (2) use a filler to close up the puncture (this is to keep moisture from getting in), and (3) secure and seal the inner tire liner to ensure the tire is airtight.
Sometimes, 2016 Kia Sportage tire damage calls for more than a repair. 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. 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 tire with a puncture or damage outside the tread area; a tire with multiple punctures that are less than 16 inches apart; and a tire with tread separation or significant cuts.
When your damaged tire can’t be repaired, consult Kia’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. 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. Your tire technician can help you decide how many tires to replace and the kind of tire to purchase.
A flat tire? That’s pretty hard to ignore. But other tire damage? It’s not always obvious! Bent tire rims, bulging tire sidewalls, leaks under your car, or noise from your exhaust system can all point to tire-related damage that should be addressed quickly. Stop tire damage in its tracks. Start with a tire inspection on your 2016 Kia Sportage.
Nothing lasts forever. Even your Kia Sportage's many parts and pieces. When something breaks, we're ready. Click on a repair below to learn more about 2016 Kia Sportage repairs.