Staying safe re tires . . . had a flat on the Garden State Parkway yesterday . . .

[defendandprotect]

Weird time yesterday, as I began to notice strange sounds and then some smoke from the right front
of my car ---

turned out to be only a flat ---

Two recommendations . .. and I hate cars and never pay any attention to my -- my husband handles that . . .

AAA was great --- When I called, they told me they can't service the parkway, but the parkway will honor their membership --- so they connected me thru to GSP people and about ten minutes later a truck arrived --- that was nice cause it was a bit tight where I had to park re cars rolling by.

About ten minutes later, the spare was on the car -- and five minutes after that I was on my way.

MEANWHILE .... RE TIRES . . .

My tire was a mess, but when I looked at it I could see uneven wear -- so I went to the Goodyear
shop today --- presume any tire place will tell you this ---
"Rocco" looked at my tire and pointed out that there was too little air in the tires ---
I should have had between 30-32 pounds of pressure and I had 25 or less on all of my tires!

He also said, my tires weren't getting rotated and I needed a wheel alignment which was also screwing up things ....

BUT, HE SHOWED ME THAT ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES HAD CRACKS ....
very close to the wheel rim, there is a like a two inch circle and it's all cracked.
Evidently from not having enough air in the tires --- and the heat ---

I don't know what gave me the flat, if I had picked up a nail or what -- but it's an expensive
lesson for me --- we ask the people who service our car to check our tires all the time and
I'm really annoyed that things went along this far and created such a problem.

Four new tires . . . rebalancing . . . realighment . . . expensive!!!

Now to check my husband's tires . . . !!!

[NJmaverick]

1. The low air pressure is costing you in wasted gas

Keeping your tires properly inflated can significantly improve your gas mileage

[Arkansas Granny]

2. Maybe you should consider keeping one of these in your glove box.

Easy to use and you can check you own tire pressure between trips to the auto service center.

[defendandprotect]

9. Sounds good -- OK --- where do you buy them?

[Arkansas Granny]

11. You can find them at any auto parts store. There are also digital models available.

[backscatter712]

14. There's also the round-dial models.

They're more accurate.

Many gas stations carry them, though you'll find the good ones at Autozone or some other auto parts store.

[coriolis]

22. Actually they aren't any more accurate. They CAN be but they also might not.

Accuracy is a function of design and manufacture, not configuration. ;-)

[defendandprotect]

24. What I'm figuring is I'm just going to have the guy at the gas station check them every

two/three months or so --- seasonally.

My husband said he used to have a guage and couldn't ever read it !!

LOL --

[tammywammy]

40. It's not that hard to just do yourself

Just invest in a digital gage.

[riverdeep]

61. I've got both a cheapo like the one pictured and a more expensive one with a dial.

For kicks I tested them both on the same tire. I was surprised. I did it on the rest of the tires. They gave the exact same reading. I don't remember the particular brands off-hand, but the cheapo one isn't necessarily going to be inaccurate.

[backscatter712]

3. Sigh... Gonna have to get new tires on my Jetta soon.

At least for the most part, they're still in servicable shape, though the treads are getting pretty thin.

I've kept up with the maintenance on them - made sure they had the correct pressure in them for the most part, rotated them when I got my car serviced, had a nail-hole in one patched.

So they're not cracked or dangerously close to failing, but in a couple months, I am gonna have to replace them.

Yet more expense...

[Horse with no Name]

25. It actually will be a symptom of a larger problem

Routine car maintenance will become a luxury expense. Most people will have to forego it to put gas in the car.
That will be dangerous for all of us.

[defendandprotect]

4. Trying to point out ---I guess especially for women who may be taking the same stupid

approach I did of trusting others to know what should be done --

is that we regularly take the car in for service and rely on them to check tires, et al.

"Rocco" said that you should rotate the tires every 10,000 miles or better yet every time you get

an oil change.

I have no idea when I last had an oil change -- but I'm going to have to figure out this stuff

cause I could have had a much worse problem yesterday!

[tammywammy]

6. Yes, get your tires rotated at every oil change

But then I only get my oil changed every 10,000 miles. :)

Also invest in a digital tire pressure gage. I like mine much better than the older stick kind. The inside of your driver's side door tells you how much pressure to have in your tires.

[Pharlo]

13. Well, recommended oil change is every 3000 to 3500 miles.

I wouldn't get the tires rotated that frequently. I generally do mine every 2 to 3 months and I have a 85 mile daily commute to work and back. But, I do have an air pressure gauge and check it when the tires look low. Just look at them when you're on a blacktop or cement surface. When you notice they're getting low, or you just want to be sure, check them.

[backscatter712]

15. ++ on this.

On my car, the recommended oil change interval is 5,000 miles.

10,000 miles between oil changes is too much - the oil does eventually break down and then your engine wears prematurely.

Oil changes are cheap to do, especially if you can do them yourself, and you should do them at the recommended interval - it's much cheaper than replacing or rebuilding an engine after the bearings and seals all give up the ghost.

[defendandprotect]

26. OK . . . I can see that . . .

My car doesn't get a lot of mileage on it -- so I think I'm also going to think in terms of seasonal changes of oil ---

[tammywammy]

41. It depends on the oil your using

I use 100% synthetic oil (Mobile 1) and you can easily go 10,000 miles between changes, which is what my vehicle manufacturer recommends.

[Ilsa]

42. I have heard different on oil changes recently.

I have heard that oil changes don't need to be as frequent. Sorry, I can't find a reliable source.

And I have always been religious about taking care of my care and getting oil changes on time, etc.

[riverdeep]

62. I wouldn't rely on visual check.

Sure, that'll tell you when the pressure is REALLY low, but not if it's, say, 10 psi off. You really need a gauge.

[Horse with no Name]

5. Just a word to the wise

Google Goodyear and tires. Don't be so ready to take ALL of the blame.
Here was my experience:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=7558553&mesg_id=7558553

[defendandprotect]

7. Wow . . . I'll google later. . . have to go out now . . . BUT . . .

I should have learned this "find out for yourself" thing a long time ago cause when the Firestone
tire thing happened, I immediately asked my husband about our tires and he said not to worry they were OK --- it was a company car. BUT . . . when I took it to the service station to have something else done, the guy noticed my tires were in very bad condition -- they were Firestone!!!

I'm just going to add another subject here in hopes that other people who have pro or con experiences
with tires can confirm what they're hearing --- or problems or not.

You know, yesterday, my car felt weird, like I was on a roadway that was very rough ---
it didn't feel like a flat. And, I don't see why there was the smoke cause I pulled over right away... maybe 30 seconds in all from time I FELT the car acting weird. It never dropped on one said
like what happens when you have a flat --- ???

Thanks for the heads up ---

:)

[defendandprotect]

8. Hello DUers . . . WHAT are you hearing or experiencing with tires . . .

"Rocco" also mentioned the heat --- it was hot yesterday ---

And how much are you spending for tires --- these replacements are just under $100 each --- !!!

[Horse with no Name]

10. That is exactly what my tire did

Very very rough and a noise that got louder and felt like something was getting ready to drop out from under my car.
Then it exploded.
I took the tire back to the shop. They took one look at it...didn't say a word, didn't ask for a receipt or even ask WHEN it was purchased.
I had a new tire on my car and was on the road in 10 minutes. They even gave me stuff to get the black stuff off of my car.
Something was definitely up...my thought was the silent recall.

[defendandprotect]

12. Yeah . . . I mean can we think that only Firestone was screwing around with the quality . . . ???

Let's try to keep this kicked up a while cause we have a lot of people here who might
contribute something more to the picture ---

Thanks again ---

have to go out ---

[Ichingcarpenter]

16. Nitrogen in tires vs. 'normal' air

I have them in my tires and haven't put any air in for 2 years
plus the better gas mileage.


George Bourque of Fairfield, Maine, is one of those who's driving around on tires filled with pure nitrogen, the same stuff that NASCAR racers use.

Bourque, an engineer, said he has seen a 1 to 1.5 mile-per-gallon increase since he began filling his tires with nitrogen, which is touted as maintaining tire pressure longer and resisting heat buildup on hot summer days.

"I analyze everything," he said.

Nitrogen has been used for years in the tires of race cars, large commercial trucks, aircraft and even the space shuttle.

But it is finding its way into the mainstream at a growing number of tire dealers — including Costco Wholesale Corp.

Nationwide, fewer than 10 percent of tire dealers offer nitrogen, but the number is growing, said Bob Ulrich, editor of Modern Tire Dealer magazine in Akron, Ohio. Most dealers charge $2 to $5 per tire for the nitrogen fill-up, he said. The dealers generally offer free lifetime refills.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/31/tech/main1851979.shtml

[coriolis]

20. The Nitrogen in tires business is a scam dreamed up by - nitrogen salesmen.

All the claims about better mileage and less leakage are total bullshit.
Sorry.

[Ichingcarpenter]

36. Bullshit, it hasn't cost me a dime....... you site no journals

news or anything else, just your opinion which is worth nothing without
data. I did you didn't, put up or shut up.

[coriolis]

38. I'm an aeronautical engineer and I know a bullshit scam when I see one.

It amazes me how many DUers fall for crap like that.
edit: by the way, plain old air is 79 percent Nitrogen.
:eyes: :eyes:

[Ichingcarpenter]

39. I'm a nuclear scientist - keyboard man.

You still haven't given me one study to support your claims.

[Fumesucker]

45. Perhaps if you could explain just why..

It is that pure nitrogen is superior to 79% nitrogen..

Then maybe we could judge a bit for ourselves..

"Studies" can be found to support damn near anything.

[Ichingcarpenter]

48. No, you still have not provided anything

Nitrogen, "Mr. Aeronautic engineer", is used in the Space Shuttle tires
and in the bicycles used in the tour de France.


It is an inert element or noble gas vs the impurities that a normal air compressor gets from the surrounding air that may contain salty air, pollution etc, which reacts with the composition of the tire and causes subjection by that reaction of those chemical compositions and higher heat thus effecting tire wear and more heat resulting in lower mileage.

Inert GAS, get it?
It runs cooler in the tire vs air pumped in from the surrounding environment, thus less friction.


Listen, out west it costs nothing at many places.


Next time you reply......... GIVE ME A STUDY AND NOT YOUR UNSCIENTIFIC OPINON.


Inert element: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-inertgas.html

[Fumesucker]

50. I'm not the same person you were replying to previously

And all I asked is for some reason why pure nitrogen is superior to slightly diluted nitrogen for passenger car or light truck tires.

Heat buildup is not a significant problem in properly inflated modern passenger car and light truck tires. Excessive heat buildup leading to catastrophic tire failure is invariably due to underinflation unless a tire is severely overloaded or improperly manufactured in the first place.

[Ichingcarpenter]

51. Sorry, I thought you were

The nitrogen story is real. I have never had to inflate my tires
after the tires were bought and injected with nitrogen 2 years ago.
And believe me my 99 subaru's tires needed to be checked at least every 3 months before that.

Check it out, it is basically a West Coast thing, and most dealers use it out here.

Apologies,

[Fumesucker]

52. Right offhand I can see no reason..

Why pure nitrogen should be less prone to leaking than a slightly dilute nitrogen mix.

I have a reasonably open mind but my mind is also one that requires adequate explanations for things which do not make sense on the surface..

I've seen more than enough things that were counterintuitive to be wary of quick judgments, but for passenger car tires I can think of no practical reason why pure nitrogen would be a great improvement over normal air.

While I'm neither a rocket scientist nor a brain surgeon, I have been a very serious automotive and motorcycle enthusiast for over forty years now, everything from Lotus sports cars to Yamaha crotch rockets. At one time or another I've had every part of a car or motorcycle apart on my bench, being modified or improved in one way or another.

I'm genuinely interested in this question and if you have more information I'd love to hear it.

[coriolis]

60. Nitrogen is NOT an inert gas, genius.

jeezusfuckingchrist...
:eyes:
I don't need a fucking study, I know science, physics and chemistry. It's what I have done for 45 years.
You provided a link to define inert gas which lists them and you obviously aren't smart enough to discover it doesn't include the gas you're defending.

edit: read this
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/070216.html

[defendandprotect]

27. Really ...!! Well . .. hmmmm.....

[Kali]

17. I live on a ranch with really bad rocky dirt roads.

We go through tires like kleenex. Learn to check and change them yourself, same with oil and other fluids. Use the schedule in your owner's manual. You'll save a tone of money and feel good about knowing how to do some of the maintenance yourself. You might even feel motivated to learn more about these objects we are so dependent on and spend so much time in.

[defendandprotect]

28. Ohhhh.... don't think any of that's going to happen. . ..

but I can well understand what you're saying ---

it's just a little late for us ---

[ThomWV]

18. Most sidewall cracking is caused by sunlight and crap in the air

It is the absolute killer of boat trailer tires. They are often disposed of because of all the cracks they get in their sidewalls. Just think about the places where boat trailers are parked when the boats are on the water. Many trailers don't actually get many miles put on them and because they only have side and braking forces but no acceleration wearing the tires they do not wear out fast at all. But the sides crack, so people replace them even though otherwise they look just fine. This has nothing to do with under inflation, which is about the worst thing you can do to a tire.

What really amazed me about your post is that you did not notice there was a problem until you saw smoke. Actually amazed isn't even the right word. I found it stunning.

[coriolis]

21. I find it astonishing that smoke was even visible...assuming the car was going forward.

:eyes:

[defendandprotect]

29. Yeah . . . I've been in cars when there were flats before . ..

this was odd to say the least . . .
What really amazed me about your post is that you did not notice there was a problem until you saw smoke. Actually amazed isn't even the right word. I found it stunning.

From the time I noticed a problem with the feeling of the car --- at first it just felt like I
was on rougher pavement -- to the time it began to kind of shudder and slow down and I got over
to the side was probably about 20 seconds or less. And probably within the last five seconds of that I saw the smoke. I was also rather stunned!

I've been in cars at least three or four times when a flat occurred -- nothing like this!

I actually thought I had a problem with the engine cause the car never dipped as it does with a flat ... ????

[defendandprotect]

30. It was the right front tire ---

and I was really glad when it turned out to only be the tire because I really thought I had an engine problem of some kind.

Even after I looked at the tire and saw it was flat, I was thinking it could be something more
extensive . . .

[Robb]

19. Sounds like a lot of things went your way, considering.

Good deal. Also, I would be certain take anything a tire guy named "Rocco" said to the bank! Can't beat that! :D

[defendandprotect]

31. Funny how you trust someone or not ---

I think I'm going with Rocco ---

but rethinking the guys at the Chevy place who we've been letting take care of the car ---

They were after us about a leak which required the removal of the engine for $1,000 ....
when some other work had to be done we had that done --- but I'm wondering now????

[AdHocSolver]

47. The cost of the repair depends on the source of the leak.

If the leak was due to a head gasket failure, then it might cost UP TO $1000 to replace the gasket.

However, head gasket failures are rare. Another possibility for a leak, and more frequently a problem, is a bad valve cover gasket. Depending on the engine, that repair shouldn't cost over a hundred dollars.

My advice with auto repairs, especially where dealers are involved, and they want you to spend a lot of money, is to get a second opinion. A few years ago, I took my car to a dealer closer to my house for an oil change. After the oil change, the service manager comes to the waiting room and tells me that he has bad news. My car has a leaky head gasket. It would cost $510 to replace.

Having done my own car repairs for a number of years, I ask him why he thinks the head gasket is bad. I told him the car started and ran well (not the case with a bad head gasket), and that the last time I had the oil changed, there was no problem.

I then asked him if they had found oil in the radiator coolant. He said no. I asked him if there had been radiator fluid in the oil. He said no. These are often signs of a head gasket problems. I asked these questions to give him a chance to back down. From my own checking the engine periodically, I knew that there was no coolant loss and no oil loss.

Anyway he takes me to the service area to show me why he wanted to change the head gasket. I knew right away he was scamming me. I paid for the oil change and got out of there fast.

Another scam happened to a friend of mine. They connected his car to a diagnostic computer (for a measly $150) and then told him the computer said he needed over two thousand dollars in repairs. If you don't have a problem with driving your car, NEVER pay to hook it up to their computer. Computers can and do LIE. (Remember Diebold voting machines.) Unfortunately, he left the car with the dealer before he called me, and the dealer wasted no time in tearing his engine apart.

[defendandprotect]

56. Will try to keep that all in mind . . .

I don't remember the circumstances with the very small leak we had --
they told us it didn't effect the car's performance so we let it go for months.
Then, when we needed some other work we let them do it.

I hate cars!

[riverdeep]

63. If you can find a mechanic you trust, hold onto them.

They are very valuable indeed. One way to tell, disconnect something that is a simple thing to reconnect, but could also be a sign of bigger problems (find out what specifically on your car from an impartial auto enthusiast). A mechanic that is competent and trustworthy will reconnect it and tell you what it was, charging the appropriate, if any, fee. An incompetent mechanic won't catch the problem. An untrustworthy one will tell you it's the expensive thing that needs fixing. I got the idea from one of those hidden camera 'Dateline' shows, exposing corrupt shops. (They played the more expensive ruse on women more often, as well, so beware.)

Fortunately, I have a mechanic that I trust and told him to check the tread on my tires after I took my car in to a tire place to have them rotated (my mechanic doesn't do rotations), and they told me I needed new tires right away (they were fine). The second opinion suggestion is highly recommended.

[KG]

23. keep 40psi of air in your tires. they will last longer and you'll get better milage.

also, many guys that work on engines know little about tires. make friends with the guys at your neighborhood tire store.

[defendandprotect]

32. Yep . . . I'm gonna try to hang out with them . . . and reading the manual . ..

:)

thanks !

[ThomWV]

35. Not if that's not the recommended pressure. Look inside the door jam.

Don't inflate tires to the maximum pressure stamped on their sides either. Look and see what the recommended pressure is, its on a tag inside the driver side (could be the other side) door jam. Front and rear pressures will probably be different.

[KG]

37. the pressures car mfg recommend are for comfort. it means nothing.

i worked several years in the tire business. no harm in putting 40lbs in a tire, been driving that way for over well over ten years.

[AdHocSolver]

44. That is assuming the tire is in good condition. I wouldn't overinflate a tire with cracks.

Tire pressure also affects the way the car handles. I wouldn't keep tire pressure too far off of the manufacturer's recommendation.

[mvccd1000]

57. Door jam sticker pressure only applies to original tires.

Or identical replacements. If you've changed to a different speed or load rating, or a different type of tire construction, the pressure may be quite different. Step up a load range in pickup truck tires, for example, and you might go from 35 to 60 as the recommended inflation pressure. If you follow the 35 on the door sticker, you're going to be dangerously overinflated.

This is why it is advisable to at least have a working knowledge of the equipment you're operating.

[Lugnut]

53. I tried overinflating my tires.

The front end of the car was bouncy and unstable. I felt like I was driving on basketballs. All four tires have 32 lbs in them and it's fine.

[defendandprotect]

33. Thanks everyone . . . stay safe ---

[Elspeth]

34. Good lesson.

I'm going to go out and check the air in my tires.

[Ilsa]

43. My dad taught me how to change my tires. He even had me rotate them

under his supervision one time. Almost every single time I've had a flat, I've had to change it myself. It's good to know how.

[AdHocSolver]

46. Cracks as you describe means the tires are very old or defective.

Tom and Ray had an article recently about tires. They mentioned that the date of manufacture is placed on the sidewall after the DOT number. For example, 1035 would be the 103rd day of 2005. They recommended not using any tire over six years old.

[lildreamer316]

49. My car has a little warning light and sound for low tire pressure.

But I'm a southern woman who has loved gearheads, so I knew to check before I had a car with that feature anyway.

[noamnety]

54. A third recommendation for you.

Learn how to change a tire. :)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FN5QQJlT8uw

[KillCapitalism]

55. Use the recommended air pressure on the tire's sidewall.

The recommended # in the door jamb is ALWAYS too low. I've even tested it on my old car...the door jamb recommended 32 psi, but the tire sidewall recommended 44 psi. I ran 32 psi for a month & logged my gas mileage, then I ran 44 psi for a month and logged that. The results; 28.2 overall mpg @ 32 psi and 32.4 overall mpg @ 44 psi.

As for protecting your tires from cracking, here is a great product you can use, it even protects from UV rays!

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-16&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=18

[mvccd1000]

58. Tires are one item where you often "get what you pay for."

You can buy the "4 for $100" specials at Pep Boys, or you can spend $80-$100 apiece on something good like Michelins. The Michelins will be quieter, better handling, and last a LOT longer than the el-cheapos will.

I've gotten as much as 84,000 miles out of a set of Michelins, and I'm not an easy driver by any means.

Buy good tires, keep them properly inflated and rotated, and keep your car aligned. You'll get your money's worth out of them, and have a safer car in the process.

[Festivito]

59. Older tires max at 35 psi, new replacements are now 44 psi.

Find the max psi on the tire itself.

Use the highest psi for higher mileage. (As I do now for work trips.)
Use less for a smoother ride. (As I did when I took care of my aged mother.)
Use the glovebox recommendation for best handling. (And, drive safely.)

Note the treadwear when buying a tire. Don't go overboard (e.g., a 780 A B, i.e. a 90,000 mile tire, A: good traction, B: northern US climate temperature.) if you won't drive 90K miles in 5 years.

Don't get a 120 either, unless you're selling the car and have no conscious.

Certainly, don't let them sell you a 400, then cheat you by putting on a 200 and telling you, well, our warranty is the same, and we lost your original tires. (This happened to me.)

The treadwear is on the tire. It does not represent tough curving driving such as mountain roads, but it is a government standard using a government standard tire as a 100. Some say it has no import into decision making, I disagree.

Know how to change a tire.

If you won't check your tire every couple of weeks or each month. Do so when the weather changes, spring and fall, and for several days after buying new tires... at least.

Drive safely.

[aikoaiko]

64. When I bought my car, I opted into the tires for life program

I have it serviced at the dealer, but they keep me on track for tire rotation and alignment (which is where they make their money on the program).

After 3.5 years on my first set, I just got my second set free.

[tammywammy]

65. We sell Tires for Life at the dealership I work at

It's really a good deal. I wish we had sold it when I bought my car. I just have the road hazard package, which takes car of a busted tire for a pot hole or something.

[2008]

66. Do you have young children around who have access to your vehicles?

They like to practice letting air out of tires, once they see how easy it is. (But only a little at a time! Wouldn't want anyone to notice.) And then they bring their friends around to show them how it's done.