Can I drive my Saturn 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 SL until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.

Will a temporary sealant fix my Saturn's flat tire?

Fast fixes are a mixed blessing. They’ll help you get your Saturn SL 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.

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 repairs Saturn SL tires?

Your local Firestone Complete Auto Care can generally take care of most Saturn SL tire repairs. However, it depends on the severity of the damage.

Why do the tires on my SL keep losing air?

If your SL tires are always losing air, you may have a puncture, damaged wheel, or leaking valve stem.

Do all four tires on a Saturn SL have to be replaced at the same time?

It's important to consider replacing your SL 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”.

1998 Saturn SL Flat Tire Repair Service

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Repairing Your Saturn SL Tire

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! That means more tire-damaging road debris and flat tires. If your 1998 Saturn SL 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 Saturn SL tire is feasible and safe, we'll follow three basic steps to repair it: (1) Remove the tire from the wheel for inspection and repair, (2) fill the puncture to keep the moisture out, and (3) re-seal the inside lining of your tire so that air won’t escape.

Tire Replacement for Your Saturn SL

Unfortunately, some 1998 Saturn SL 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. 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 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 tread separation or significant cuts.

Sometimes, it's in your best interest to buy one, two, or four new tires depending on Saturn'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. However, this may not be necessary if your remaining three tires are new. If you can replace your damaged tire with the same type, brand, and size as the others, you may be able to save costs and only purchase one replacement. 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.

Saturn SL Tire Inspection

A flat tire is a surefire sign of tire damage, but other indicators of tire issues aren’t so easy to spot. 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. Bring your 1998 Saturn SL in for a tire inspection so we can assess the damage and help keep you safe on the road.

Frequently Asked Saturn SL Tire Repair Questions

Can I drive my Saturn 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 SL until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
Will a temporary sealant fix my Saturn's flat tire? Fast fixes are a mixed blessing. They’ll help you get your Saturn SL 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.
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 repairs Saturn SL tires? Your local Firestone Complete Auto Care can generally take care of most Saturn SL tire repairs. However, it depends on the severity of the damage.
Why do the tires on my SL keep losing air? If your SL tires are always losing air, you may have a puncture, damaged wheel, or leaking valve stem.
Do all four tires on a Saturn SL have to be replaced at the same time? It's important to consider replacing your SL 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”.

1998 Saturn SL Repair

Nothing lasts forever. Even your Saturn SL's many parts and pieces. When something breaks, we're ready. Click on a repair below to learn more about 1998 Saturn SL repairs.