What happens if I drive my Mercury 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 Cougar until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.

Will a temporary sealant fix my Mercury'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 Mercury 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 can repair Mercury Cougar tires?

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

What is causing the tires on my Cougar to keep losing air?

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

Do all four tires on a Mercury Cougar have to be replaced at the same time?

When replacing the tires on your Cougar, 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.

1988 Mercury Cougar Tire Repair Services

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It’s best to introduce yourself to new roads with a firm grip. Find the best tires for your Mercury Cougar at Firestone Complete Auto Care, and schedule your installation appointment online in minutes.

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Repairing Your Mercury Cougar Tire

Urban areas are booming. 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 1988 Mercury Cougar needs flat tire repair or inspection. 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 your 1988 Mercury Cougar 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) re-seal the inside lining of your tire so that air won’t escape.

Tire Replacement for Your Mercury Cougar

Unfortunately, some 1988 Mercury Cougar 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). This tread depth indicates that the tire is worn out, and needs to be replaced. 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 multiple punctures that are less than 16 inches apart; and a tire with tread separation or significant cuts.

Depending on what Mercury 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. 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.

Tire Inspection Services for Your Mercury Cougar

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 1988 Mercury Cougar in for a tire inspection so we can assess the damage and help keep you safe on the road.

Frequently Asked Mercury Cougar Tire Repair Questions

What happens if I drive my Mercury 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 Cougar until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
Will a temporary sealant fix my Mercury'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 Mercury 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 can repair Mercury Cougar tires? In most cases, your nearby Firestone Complete Auto Care can handle your Mercury Cougar tire repair. Ultimately, the severity of the damage will determine if your tires can be repaired.
What is causing the tires on my Cougar to keep losing air? Tire punctures, damaged wheels, and leaking valve stems are possible reasons for your Cougar tires continuously losing air.
Do all four tires on a Mercury Cougar have to be replaced at the same time? When replacing the tires on your Cougar, 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.

1988 Mercury Cougar Repair

Nothing lasts forever. Even your Mercury Cougar's many parts and pieces. When something breaks, we're ready. Click on a repair below to learn more about 1988 Mercury Cougar repairs.