Can I drive my Subaru 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 Forester until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.

Can I use an emergency/temporary sealant to fix my Subaru's flat tire?

A temporary sealant may be able to help you get to a repair location safely. But temporary or emergency sealants could possibly damage TPMS sensors, and in some cases may even void the warranty on your Bridgestone or Firestone tires. If your tire needs extensive repair, sealant can add time and labor costs to the process.

What’s the harm in using my spare tire for a while?

Don't rely on your spare tire for too long. Your 2009 Subaru Forester may come equipped with a compact spare tire. A spare is different than an everyday tire and is only designed to be driven a certain number of miles at lower speeds.

Who repairs Subaru Forester tires?

Your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care is equipped to handle most Subaru Forester tire repairs, but it depends on how severe the damage is.

What can cause Forester tires to keep losing air?

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

Can I replace just one or two tires on my Subaru Forester?

While it may not always be necessary to replace all four tires on your Forester, it’s advised you replace them in pairs or all at once to ensure optimal safety and performance. Having two new tires and two worn tires can put you at risk since the worn tires might not have as good of traction as the new ones. Reference your owner’s manual to see if you will need to replace all four tires due to a large difference in tread.

Tire Repair for Your 2009 Subaru Forester

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Subaru Forester Tire Repair

Urban areas are booming. New roads are being built, and old ones are getting a face lift. There's construction around every corner! 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 2009 Subaru Forester 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. 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 2009 Subaru Forester tire is feasible and safe, we'll follow three basic steps to repair it: (1) Separate the tire from the vehicle wheel, (2) fill in the area that’s been punctured to prevent damage from moisture, and (3) secure and seal the inner tire liner to ensure the tire is airtight.

When Is It Time for Subaru Forester Tire Replacement?

Sometimes, 2009 Subaru Forester tire damage calls for more than a repair. 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. 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 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 cuts or tread separation.

Sometimes, it's in your best interest to buy one, two, or four new tires depending on Subaru's recommendation. For example, it’s usually recommended that you replace all four tires at the same time on AWD vehicles. Why? Because having four identical tires is vital for the AWD system to perform like it’s supposed to. But, if you’ve recently replaced your tires and they don’t have significant wear, a new set might not be needed. You might be able to replace one tire as long as it's the same brand, type, and size as the other three. Your tire technician can help you decide how many tires to replace and the kind of tire to purchase.

Subaru Forester Tire Inspection

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 2009 Subaru Forester in for a tire inspection so we can assess the damage and help keep you safe on the road.

Subaru Forester Tire Repair Questions

Can I drive my Subaru 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 Forester until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
Can I use an emergency/temporary sealant to fix my Subaru's flat tire? A temporary sealant may be able to help you get to a repair location safely. But temporary or emergency sealants could possibly damage TPMS sensors, and in some cases may even void the warranty on your Bridgestone or Firestone tires. If your tire needs extensive repair, sealant can add time and labor costs to the process.
What’s the harm in using my spare tire for a while? Don't rely on your spare tire for too long. Your 2009 Subaru Forester may come equipped with a compact spare tire. A spare is different than an everyday tire and is only designed to be driven a certain number of miles at lower speeds.
Who repairs Subaru Forester tires? Your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care is equipped to handle most Subaru Forester tire repairs, but it depends on how severe the damage is.
What can cause Forester tires to keep losing air? Your Forester tires might keep losing air due to a leaking valve stem, puncture or hole in the tire tread or sidewall, or damaged wheel.
Can I replace just one or two tires on my Subaru Forester? While it may not always be necessary to replace all four tires on your Forester, it’s advised you replace them in pairs or all at once to ensure optimal safety and performance. Having two new tires and two worn tires can put you at risk since the worn tires might not have as good of traction as the new ones. Reference your owner’s manual to see if you will need to replace all four tires due to a large difference in tread.

2009 Subaru Forester Repair

Nothing lasts forever. Even your Subaru Forester's many parts and pieces. When something breaks, we're ready. Click on a repair below to learn more about 2009 Subaru Forester repairs.