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New tyres?

AliceBanned
AliceBanned Posts: 3,127 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
Hi

Someone pointed out a flat tyre yesterday when I was driving my car (a Ford SportKA) - it wasn't completely flat otherwise I would have noticed it, but I had noticed a different sound very slightly when I had the window open, (had no idea this could be tyre related but on hindsight it probably was) and thought I should take it in for an interim service. I pumped it up and drove home (ten miles) and it still looked ok.

I bought the car two years ago, and have done 15,000 miles in it. It passed the MOT in Feb. Not sure when the tyres were last replaced (full mileage 78000).

It last had a full service nearly a year ago. I know it is probably due an interim service but I can't afford this for another couple of months. Should I get the tyre checked out? It pumped up no problem so there was no obvious leak. I wonder whether a slow puncture or even just my neglect and it had gone down. I only drive it about 4 miles a day during the week but the week after next I'll be doing about 40.
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Comments

  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 33,574 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    It must have gone down in the past week since you last carried out your weekly check of tyres, oil etc ................ but I get the feeling you don't look at the car that often. :o

    Have you looked to see if you have a nail in it, put the car on full lock one way then the other, you can see 80% of the tyre that way, roll forward a foot and repeat and you will have been able to give the tyre a good look over. If you find nothing pump it up and check daily for a few days. ;)
  • force_ten
    force_ten Posts: 1,931 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    as above give the tyre a good look over to see if there is anything in the tyre causing it to lose air

    from the sound of your post you have not really looked at your tyres since it was last serviced, if this is the case then you need to check all four tyres ASAP

    look for condition of tyres tread depth and check the tyre pressure as well
  • nobbysn*ts
    nobbysn*ts Posts: 1,176 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    They don't normally go down for no reason. And depending how flat, and how long you have driven on them, some sidewall damage could occur. You're probably better going to a tyre dealers, and seeing if you need a tyre repair, for maybe a nail, or a new valve, or if the sidewall is damaged, a new tyre. Problem is finding one that won't just want to sell you a new tyre regardless.
  • hartcjhart
    hartcjhart Posts: 9,463 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you know how to take the wheel off,do this,
    lay it down flat and spary a mix of water and washing up liquid arond the rim where the tyre meets the wheel and check for any bubbles that start to appear,then do otherside,then around the valve and into the valve,then as others have said inspect the tread area for any nails etc,If you find one DO NOT REMOVE IT but go get it repaired
    I :love: MOJACAR
  • getmore4less
    getmore4less Posts: 46,882 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've helped Parliament
    Look at the date codes on the tyres,


    measure the treads


    check the pressures.
  • Joe_Horner
    Joe_Horner Posts: 4,895 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    If it stays up now then it's quite likely to be a slow leak that's been there for a while.

    Radial tyres tend not to "look" flat until the pressure drops way below normal - on my Pug for example they'll look normal at anything over about 15 PSI when running pressure is 32. Once they drop below that they suddenly look very flat.

    The answer is to keep an eye on them, including checking the pressure regularly with a reliable gauge. A slow leak isn't necessarily anything that needs fixing, it's entirely possiible to just live with it as long as you're aware and don't leave it until it's looking flat to top it up.

    If you're only doing 4 miles a week then it's pretty unlikely that you've caused any damage to the tyre by letting it drop, but please do learn to do the weekly checks!
  • AliceBanned
    AliceBanned Posts: 3,127 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Joe_Horner wrote: »
    If it stays up now then it's quite likely to be a slow leak that's been there for a while.

    Radial tyres tend not to "look" flat until the pressure drops way below normal - on my Pug for example they'll look normal at anything over about 15 PSI when running pressure is 32. Once they drop below that they suddenly look very flat.

    The answer is to keep an eye on them, including checking the pressure regularly with a reliable gauge. A slow leak isn't necessarily anything that needs fixing, it's entirely possiible to just live with it as long as you're aware and don't leave it until it's looking flat to top it up.

    If you're only doing 4 miles a week then it's pretty unlikely that you've caused any damage to the tyre by letting it drop, but please do learn to do the weekly checks!

    Thanks Joe, and everyone! I thought I was being a bit thick, as you're right it isn't obvious with some tyres.

    Going to respond later after I've given my car some tlc - on Friday as I have a day off. I'm not using it until then as I don't need to. :)
  • Bigphil1474
    Bigphil1474 Posts: 3,058 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I've had a slow puncture on one of my tyres on my current car for 12 months - takes about 10 days to go down from 30psi to about 15, so I just go to Sainsburys for free air every week and it is generally about 20 before I pump it up. Don't forget to have a look at the markers on the tyre which show how much wear has gone - they are small raised bits in the groove of the tyre. A measuring thingamy is easier, but if the little bumps are level with the tyre, you need new tyres, if they are nearly level, you should think about getting new tyres, if there's a couple of millimetres, then should be okay.
  • tykesi
    tykesi Posts: 2,061 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I've had a slow puncture on one of my tyres on my current car for 12 months - takes about 10 days to go down from 30psi to about 15, so I just go to Sainsburys for free air every week and it is generally about 20 before I pump it up. Don't forget to have a look at the markers on the tyre which show how much wear has gone - they are small raised bits in the groove of the tyre. A measuring thingamy is easier, but if the little bumps are level with the tyre, you need new tyres, if they are nearly level, you should think about getting new tyres, if there's a couple of millimetres, then should be okay.

    And you haven't bothered to get it fixed? Tyres are designed to run at specific pressures for a reason - because that's where optimum grip is gained, the minute you let it lose one or two PSI that tyre's dynamics change along with the handling and braking capabilities. For the sake of a free or very cheap repair is it worth the risk?
  • nobbysn*ts
    nobbysn*ts Posts: 1,176 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Had to change a tyre on a neighbours car. It had an advisory on the mot, for a nail in the tyre. It was just on the shoulder, so unrepairable. The garages advice was to leave it, as it wasn't going down. So we pulled it out, it went flat in about 15sec. That could have been unpleasant on the motorway.
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