How soon should I have my flat tire repaired?

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 Tracer until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.

Can I use an emergency/temporary sealant to 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.

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.

Who offers Mercury Tracer tire repair?

Your local Firestone Complete Auto Care can carry out most Mercury Tracer tire repairs, but the extent of the damage will determine if we are able to help.

Why do the tires on my Tracer keep losing air?

Your Tracer tires might keep losing air due to a leaking valve stem, puncture or hole in the tire tread or sidewall, or damaged wheel.

Is it necessary to replace all four Mercury Tracer tires at once?

It's important to consider replacing your Tracer 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”.

Tire Repair for Your 1988 Mercury Tracer

Get Mercury Tire Repair

Quick and Convenient Mercury Tracer Tire Service

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.

Shop Tires

Repairing Your Mercury Tracer Tire

Urban areas are booming. New roads and buildings are springing up. 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 1988 Mercury Tracer tires, Firestone Complete Auto Care can help. There’s a chance your tire could be plugged and patched (rather than replaced). Our technicians can inspect your tire and let you know if it is safe to repair. 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 a repair on your 1988 Mercury Tracer tire is feasible and safe, we'll follow three basic steps to repair 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) seal the inner liner with a repair unit to prevent air loss.

Mercury Tracer Tire Replacement

Unfortunately, some 1988 Mercury Tracer tire damage can’t be effectively repaired. 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. At this tread depth, the tire is worn out and must 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 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 a tire with cuts or tread separation.

Sometimes, it's in your best interest to buy one, two, or four new tires depending on Mercury's recommendation. Manufacturers of AWD vehicles, for example, often recommend replacing all four tires at once because AWD systems need uniform tires to operate properly. 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.

Tire Inspection Services for Your Mercury Tracer

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. Stay ahead of potentially dangerous tire issues. Bring your 1988 Mercury Tracer in for a tire inspection.

Frequently Asked Mercury Tracer Tire Repair Questions

How soon should I have my flat tire repaired? 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 Tracer until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
Can I use an emergency/temporary sealant to 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.
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.
Who offers Mercury Tracer tire repair? Your local Firestone Complete Auto Care can carry out most Mercury Tracer tire repairs, but the extent of the damage will determine if we are able to help.
Why do the tires on my Tracer keep losing air? Your Tracer tires might keep losing air due to a leaking valve stem, puncture or hole in the tire tread or sidewall, or damaged wheel.
Is it necessary to replace all four Mercury Tracer tires at once? It's important to consider replacing your Tracer 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 1988 Mercury Tracer

Your Mercury Tracer runs best when it’s well cared for. Keep your car running newer, longer with repairs from Firestone Complete Auto Care. Learn more about 1988 Mercury Tracer repairs below.