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

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

Fast fixes are a mixed blessing. They’ll help you get your Toyota Tercel 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?

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 Toyota Tercel is intended for only a few days of use, so don’t use it as a substitute for getting your tire repaired.

Who repairs Toyota Tercel tires?

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

What is causing the tires on my Tercel to keep losing air?

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

Can I replace just one or two tires on my Toyota Tercel?

It's important to consider replacing your Tercel 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 Toyota Tercel

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Repairing Your Toyota Tercel Tire

Cities are growing. Roads are expanding. Everywhere you look, it seems construction is in progress! Unfortunately, this can mean a higher chance of a flat or damaged tire caused by debris in the road. Firestone Complete Auto Care is here for you when your 1988 Toyota Tercel needs flat tire repair or inspection. Our tire technicians can determine whether it's safe to plug and patch the tire, or whether it needs to be replaced. We’ll begin by taking a look at where the damage is, the type and extent of the tire damage, and how all of your tires are wearing.

If your 1988 Toyota Tercel tire puncture can be repaired, the repair process is actually fairly simple: (1) Separate the tire from the vehicle wheel, (2) fill in the area that’s been punctured to prevent damage from moisture, and (3) re-seal the inside lining of your tire so that air won’t escape.

When Is It Time for Toyota Tercel Tire Replacement?

Unfortunately, some 1988 Toyota Tercel tire damage can’t be effectively repaired. 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). 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 with a puncture larger than ¼ inch in diameter; a puncture that lies outside the tire tread area; a tire with two or more punctures that are less than 16 inches away from each other; and major cuts or separated treads.

Depending on what Toyota recommends for your car, you’ll want to consider purchasing one new tire, two new tires, or a new full set. 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. 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. Your tire technician can help you decide how many tires to replace and the kind of tire to purchase.

Do I Need a Tire Inspection for My Toyota Tercel?

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. Stay ahead of potentially dangerous tire issues. Bring your 1988 Toyota Tercel in for a tire inspection.

Toyota Tercel 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 Tercel until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
Will a temporary sealant fix my Toyota's flat tire? Fast fixes are a mixed blessing. They’ll help you get your Toyota Tercel 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? 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 Toyota Tercel is intended for only a few days of use, so don’t use it as a substitute for getting your tire repaired.
Who repairs Toyota Tercel tires? In most cases, your nearby Firestone Complete Auto Care can handle your Toyota Tercel tire repair. Ultimately, the severity of the damage will determine if your tires can be repaired.
What is causing the tires on my Tercel to keep losing air? If your Tercel tires are always losing air, you may have a puncture, damaged wheel, or leaking valve stem.
Can I replace just one or two tires on my Toyota Tercel? It's important to consider replacing your Tercel 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”.

Get the Repairs Your 1988 Toyota Tercel Needs

Your Toyota Tercel 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 Toyota Tercel repairs below.