You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
After finishing work last night I discovered that I had a rear flat. (2013 Honda Civic). Try as I might I couldn't get the darn wheel off (yes, had taken all lug-nuts off). After much effing and jeffing I admitted defeat and decided to gingerly creep along to a garage up the road to make use of their air. Low and behold the tyre re-inflated and I made the knowingly stupid/dangerous decision to drive 14 miles home, both I and the car made it safely back. This morning the tyre is still inflated, can I just leave it, or should I take it to a garage to get checked out? ( I ahve ckecked the tyre for possible puncturous materials)
Ta
First thought is could someone have let it down?
Check the sidewalls (in and out) as they are the most critical area and also also the first block of tread in and out. Then check the rest of the tread.
if there is no sign in it going down tomorrow then I would suspect someone doesnt like you/your parking.
If you don't have one get a digital pressure gauge so you can check the pressure before you drive it for the next few days. If you are losing air and suspect you have a puncture then go to a garage and they can repair any in the main tread area away from the edges. You can use a track pump to top p the tyre if you lose a bit checking it.
It's basically up to how much you value your life. If you don't mind crashing don't bother getting it checked.
was just trying find the story about the woman who died when someone stabbed the sidewall of her car tyre to show how sure you need to be that there is no damage to those areas. If any doubt at all just go an get it checked asap.
PS when you say it's still inflated - same pressure or just not flat?
Get it checked just to be safe. To get the wheel off youl need to jack up and place car on a axle stand and kick the shit out of the wheel. Will be alloy to steel corrosion once off clean the mating surfaces and apply a small amount of anti seize to prevent it doing it again. Do all 4 wheels while your at it.
Jack it up, take the bolts out, stick a brick under the outer half of the wheel and lower the jack slowly. Never had a wheel that didn't respond to that. You'll need to have it in gear and have the handbrake off.
I've got a scaffold bar with a crimped end for that very problem to use to brake the bond. Unfortunately it's a bit big for the garage.
It's a useful tool though.
There won't be much checking going on. As soon as you say to the tyre place/garage that you've driven on the tyre when it's flat then they'll advise you replace it*. The side wall will be damaged and they won't say it's ok even if it looks it. They won't want to be liable. Happened to me twice
EDIT: *unless they're run flats
Just got back from the tyre place, the guy got the wheel off with embarrassing ease. There was a huge effing nail in it. Just on the inside edge of the tread. He ummed and ahhed, I was waiting for him to say "new tyre", he eventually decided to patch it. Very interesting process. 20 quid later I drive off a happy man. Thanks for all your advice.
£20 to fix a puncture. JHC.
Double what it costs to fix a flat at my local place (North Eastern Tyres and Exhausts)
Still, at least it's done I suppose.
I had a puncture in one of my car tyres, if I parked on the actual hole it didn't lose any air at all for days, if I parked off the hole, it went down slowly over a few days. After a few months I got it fixed. It was a rear tyre, hence I wasn't that bothered.
Did you tell the guy you drove on it flat to the garage??
Was it totally flat, or just soft? And how far did you drive it? Carrying an inflator is always a good idea.
Getting it off- slacken the nuts, but, don't remove them- just back them off a turn or two. Then, drive backwards and forwards jabbing the brakes on, ideally with a bit of a turn. That'll do it.
Yes, I told the guy that I drove it (completely) flat to the garage, it was probably 1/2 a mile. He didn't seem to think there was any damage to the rim.
Thanks for the wheel removal tips.
He didn't seem to think there was any damage to the rim.
I'd be concerned about sidewalls of the tyre. Had similar happen to me twice, first time I drove about 100 yards. Second time was about 1/2 miles. Both times tyre was shot, but if it's been looked at by a reputable professional they maybe it'll be ok
£20 to fix a puncture. JHC.
And a puncture right on the edge of the tread too. Double JHC.
Tyre fitter's clearly a doofus.
Get the tyre checked for a slow leak?
if the wheel is stuck after nuts loosened,please dont shake and bang it while on a Jack!!!
simply undo the bolts 1 turn and rock the car side to side as this will pop the wheel , then jack up and remove as normal.
the tyre probably has a tack in it so not always easy to find or maybe a valve is weak and deflates at speed? oor someone just let it down for fun??
get tyre checked as said