Tire Repair for Your 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Urban areas are booming. New roads and buildings are springing up. There's construction around every corner! New progress is exciting, but the road debris it leaves behind may mean trouble for your tires. If your 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette is in need of a tire inspection or possible flat tire repair, Firestone Complete Auto Care has your back. 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 a repair on your 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette tire is feasible and safe, the repair process is actually fairly simple: (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.

Not all 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette tire damage can be repaired. Tires with less than 2/32nd inch tread remaining can't be repaired, no matter how minor the damage. At this tread depth, the tire is worn out and must be replaced. If your tire is not yet worn down, there are other forms of damage that simply can’t be repaired, like a tire puncture with a diameter bigger than ¼ inch; a puncture that lies outside the tire tread area; a tire with multiple punctures that are less than 16 inches apart; and a tire with cuts or tread separation.

Depending on what Oldsmobile 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. 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.

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 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette in for a tire inspection so we can assess the damage and help keep you safe on the road.