New tyres, now car is pulling when driving above 50

red_eye

GolfBravo wrote: »

Check the runout stripes on your new tyres (the red or blue lines).

They are there for a reason but unfortunately some tyre shops don't have a clue - ideally they should be in the middle of the tyre width. If they are to either side it indicates that the tyre will pull to that particular side.

So check that first.

It could also be the front wheel alignment.

Also check the tyre pressures - some tyre shops don't even bother to inflate the tyres to their correct pressure, they just use whatever preset pressure they have.

I need to look in to that. when ordering tires we get what supplyeys send we have no option on which side we want the stripe

red_eye

GlynD wrote: »

There is no Mr Kwik Fit anymore. That was Tom Farmer and he sold the business many years ago.

I was refering to the kwik fit rep on here.

GolfBravo

red_eye wrote: »

I need to look in to that. when ordering tires we get what supplyeys send we have no option on which side we want the stripe

Well obviously you don't get to choose what the supplier sends you, but you really need to check the runout stripes before fitting.

Usually premium summer tyres have the runout stripes quite close to the middle, so don't need to worry about which wheel they are going onto - most premium major brands are quite consistent with their tyre build quality.

Crappy budget tyres usually have the runout stripes all over the place, so have to be very careful there. Also most winter tyres have quite deep threads and with all the extra rubber they are quite hard to manufacture consistently - runout stripes are more likely to be to either side there.

Same with the uniformity and weight (red and yellow) dots on the sidewall - but some tyre places just don't care.

Kwikfit_company_representative

Anitalouisa wrote: »

A little clueless when it comes to cars! Had two rear tyres replaced on my Ford KA at Kwik-Fit, plus balancing and filled with nitrogen. (I think!)

Now though, my car is pulling like i;m being buffered by the wind at speed. I usually use the car to commute in London so it was a few weeks before I noticed. Could it be the tracking or something worse?

Any help appreciated!

Hi there,

we saw your comments. This doesn't sound right. Please take your car back to the centre and explain them the issue. They should be able to help you.

Kind regards,
Andy

EdGasket

Limey wrote: »

My money's on the kwik fit numptey's jacking your car up on one of the alignment components and have now bent it.

Did they use trolley jacks or a 2/4 post lift?

I never trust tyre places to jack the car up properly anymore. I always take the wheels off myself and just take the wheels in. Had too many issues with damage to car, wheel nuts you can't undo again etc.

LincolnshireYokel

Anitalouisa wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies. With regards to the nitrogen, they did it without asking which I was a bit miffed about, but hey ho.

To change it back to air, do they have to do that or can it be done diy style?

I think my first port of call will be Kwik-Fit again then. Thanks again!

Its a complete scam, the air around you is 78.09% Nitrogen anyway, taking the 21% oxygen away (the other main component) isnt going to make a blind bit of difference. Its a scam almost on the same level as unnecessary MOT work.

bazster

Surely the first thing to do is to check they tightened the wheel nuts. In the circumstances I wouldn't even drive it back to them without checking that first.

red_eye

Kwikfit_company_representative wrote: »

Hi there,

we saw your comments. This doesn't sound right. Please take your car back to the centre and explain them the issue. They should be able to help you.

Kind regards,
Andy

kinda missed the nitrogen issue i see:rotfl:

mikey72

red_eye wrote: »

kinda missed the nitrogen issue i see:rotfl:

Here's a question he can answer. I think Kwik Fit charge about £1 for nitrogen fill.
So, from their website, (my bold)
"Nitrogen

Filling your tyres with nitrogen may seem odd but that’s exactly what motor sport and aviation professionals have been doing for years. Nitrogen is completely safe. And by using it in a mixture with oxygen to inflate your tyres the theory is that it’s possible to negate the issue of slow deflation, which is caused by oxygen slowly infusing through the tyre wall from the atmosphere."

So, if I pay for a nitrogen fill, what percentage oxygen is mixed with it. Not about 19% is it? And a few other odd gases to make up the other 1%?

Tucker

My god.... do Kwikfit have a rep on here now trying to repair the damaged reputation??

Bit late, I'd say... they took me for a ride 21 years ago and I have never been anywhere near since and by the sounds of everything you hear, looks to me like their rip off strategy has never changed.....