Sold car with dangerously underinflated tyres

rxbren

service wouldnt involve checking tyre pressures

you would always be able to easily see if your tyre is low unless your running seriously low profile- less than 30 which counts out pretty much every car on the road

skivenov

1jim wrote: »

And really, who on here can honestly say that they really would check their tyre pressures the same day after a service?

Yeah, start the engine, squirt the wash wipe, stick the dips and hazards on and quick walk round to the vo-heecle before setting off every morning. Give the tyres a toetap. Takes under 2 minutes, and half the time the windscreen and mirrors haven't even demisted by the time I've finished.

Back in the vehicle, lights off, check the brake light reflection on the garage door if I'm on the drive, make sure there's pressure under the brake pedal, and away. Long slow and gradual brake at the end of the road to do a rolling brake test.

Why? Cause like the original poster, I crossed off one of my nine lives, and found out what happens when you don't the hard way. :eek:

Yolina

1jim wrote: »

And really, who on here can honestly say that they really would check their tyre pressures the same day after a service?

I do, same when I get tyres changed. Not that I don't trust my garage but simply because sometimes mistakes can happen. Doesn't take long to check and that way I am 100% sure.

JimmyTheWig

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

Maybe they should then.

Yes, it is something that you "should" do.
But if we did everything that we "should" do in life we'd have no time left to live.
I think we need to pick and choose which of the things that we "should" do are important enough to do. For me, checking a car over after it's been to a garage before I drive away isn't one of them.
Being a little extra-cautios whilst driving away, however, is something that I would do. They've been tinkering with my car. The chances are that if something has gone wrong then it is something that I, not knowing anything about cars, wouldn't spot by walking around the car. Until I'm happy that the car is driving ok, I'll drive it particularly carefully.

I guess what you are saying that I "should" do after taking my car in for a service is call the AA out to give it a road-worthiness check!

steve-L

1jim wrote: »

Do you? Honestly?

Erm.... Yeah..... I don't actually take out the pressure gauge but I do a walk round....

Same goes for checking the oil is actually changed! Check they have actually put all the wheel nuts back.... and they are at least hand tight....

I dont believe I said there was a defence, what I said was that most normal people do not check tyre pressures before leaving a garage where a service has been carried out.

Your life depends on it.... not theirs!
I usually do this after having a new tyre, let alone leaving it for service. Surprisingly often the new tyre is under-inflated.

In the case of BUYING I would certainly check tyre pressures look OK, check the fluid levels etc. as its a sign of if they have even bothered to check the car is roadworthy.... and in the case of tyres might indicate its been on a forecourt for months because something else is wrong.

andygb

skivenov wrote: »

Yeah, start the engine, squirt the wash wipe, stick the dips and hazards on and quick walk round to the vo-heecle before setting off every morning. Give the tyres a toetap. Takes under 2 minutes, and half the time the windscreen and mirrors haven't even demisted by the time I've finished.

Back in the vehicle, lights off, check the brake light reflection on the garage door if I'm on the drive, make sure there's pressure under the brake pedal, and away. Long slow and gradual brake at the end of the road to do a rolling brake test.

Why? Cause like the original poster, I crossed off one of my nine lives, and found out what happens when you don't the hard way. :eek:

:beer:
On the other hand, for every one of us who take these simple checks, there are many more who don't, including the dipstick who we have both replied to.
I highlighted your text, because I was beginning to think that I was the only one who totally demisted the car before driving away (unlike most of my neighbours). We will probably be ridiculed by the people who have far more important things to do with their lives - assuming that they do continue to live, and are not taken out by another car which they have not seen, or maybe have a blowout on the motorway, because they can't be a***d to check their tyres.
I look at each wheel in the morning, and check the tyre pressures weekly (and after a trip to the garage, and after having new tyres fitted). I also reduce the tyre pressures by about 5psi in the Winter (maybe a little more, but not enough to cause them any damage), and drive a bit slower. I also check the fluid levels, and most importantly the screenwash, because running out of washer fluid with crud building up on the screen is not a pleasant situation to find yourself in.
Anyone who doesn't carry out these simple checks on a regular basis hasn't got better things to do, they are just lazy and potentially dangerous.;)

neilmcl

1jim wrote: »

And really, who on here can honestly say that they really would check their tyre pressures the same day after a service?

I do, and often as soon as I get the car home. I've not had a car in for a service, nor had a tyre fitted (except for the guy I use now) where they've managed to use the correct tyre pressures. For this very reason I always check!

steve-L

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

I guess what you are saying that I "should" do after taking my car in for a service is call the AA out to give it a road-worthiness check!

No point being extreme......
I think it's more than worthwhile checking the tyres after any service or new tyres........When I do check (after a puncture or replacing a tyre) they are rarely correct or balanced in pressure across an axle.

Prior to being a parent I probably was less worried, now as a parent I don't want someone else running across the central reservation on the dual carriageway into my car with my kid in it.

My partner got a new tyre about 3 weeks ago.... It was obviously under inflated, something I told her every day for 3 weeks until I went and inflated it myself..... being a recently passed her test driver she has yet to have a blowout at 70....

The OP was as he said lucky....

Mistral001

Dan47 wrote: »

Just an update:

I am fully aware that I was responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle but was a little disappointed that it was sold in a dangerous state yet it was declared 'ready to drive away' (spoken by salesman, not written).

However, I rang the guy who sold the car, he was apologetic and has offered to pay the cost of the new tyre once he has priced it up.

We shall see what happens - but thanks to all who have contributed. :T

Good result. Just shows you that person-to-person dealings have not been lost altogether.

gord115

rxbren wrote: »

service wouldnt involve checking tyre pressures

All types of service SHOULD include tyre pressures.