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

Can I use an emergency/temporary sealant to fix my Subaru'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.

Can’t I just keep my spare tire on for a while?

While this sounds great in theory, keep in mind that most spare tires are not designed for distance or speed. The compact spare tire that most likely sits inside your 1988 Subaru XT is intended for only a few days of use, so don’t use it as a substitute for getting your tire repaired.

Who repairs Subaru XT tires?

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

Why do the tires on my XT keep losing air?

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

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

While it may not always be necessary to replace all four tires on your XT, 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.

1988 Subaru XT Tire Repair Services

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Get Tires for Your Subaru XT

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

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Get Your Subaru XT Tire Repaired

Urban areas are booming. New roads and buildings are springing up. Everywhere you look, it seems construction is in progress! That means more tire-damaging road debris and flat tires. If the road has been rough on your 1988 Subaru XT tires, Firestone Complete Auto Care can help. 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 a repair on your 1988 Subaru XT tire is feasible and safe, we’ll get to work on the steps to fix 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.

Tire Replacement for Your Subaru XT

Sometimes, 1988 Subaru XT tire damage calls for more than a repair. 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 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.

When your damaged tire can’t be repaired, consult Subaru’s recommendations for replacing one, two, or all four of your tires. 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. Just replaced your tires and only one is damaged? You may not need to buy another new full set after all. You might be able to replace one tire as long as it's the same brand, type, and size as the other three. 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 Subaru XT

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

Subaru XT 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 XT until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
Can I use an emergency/temporary sealant to fix my Subaru'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.
Can’t I just keep my spare tire on for a while? While this sounds great in theory, keep in mind that most spare tires are not designed for distance or speed. The compact spare tire that most likely sits inside your 1988 Subaru XT is intended for only a few days of use, so don’t use it as a substitute for getting your tire repaired.
Who repairs Subaru XT tires? In most cases, your nearby Firestone Complete Auto Care can handle your Subaru XT tire repair. Ultimately, the severity of the damage will determine if your tires can be repaired.
Why do the tires on my XT keep losing air? Tire punctures, damaged wheels, and leaking valve stems are possible reasons for your XT tires continuously losing air.
Can I replace just one or two tires on my Subaru XT? While it may not always be necessary to replace all four tires on your XT, 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.

1988 Subaru XT Repair

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