tyre question.....
Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

76 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
Long story short, I didn't immediately notice I had a flat tyre on the way home today - it was dark! I realised after about half a mile, pulled over and re-inflated the tyre to the correct pressure. I watched and listened for a bit but there was no loud rushing of air.

I've got to do 15miles or so of motorway on my commute so I decided I'd have to go get it looked at anyway. Fortunately, up the road there is a kwik fit and it was open. Chap at kwik fit was able to look at it straight away. He took the wheel off and we found a small sharp stone that had lodged in the bottom of one of the bands and appeared to have gone straight through. I must have parked with this lowermost and the weight of the car on the tyre must have pressed it down on the stone which let the air out over the course of the day. Bloke said he could do a repair on it, so that was fine, I went and saw the reception and shortly after he comes in with my tyre which had a load of ground rubber inside of it - the explanation I was given was that running flat grinds down the inner wall of the tyre. I got a new marangoni tyre - its not the same as the other three which irks me - but it got the job done. The guy did it quickly and it didn't cost too much to me (£63 - which is probably on the high side but beggars can't be choosers sometimes...), so the actual service isn't an issue.

My question is:

Was the ground rubber story a load of bks or put there as an excuse to cough up for a new tyre - is this what actually happens when you run on a flat tyre? I can't do anything about it now - more a lesson for next time. The only annoying thing was, that tyre was only three weeks old!

I'll get another alloy and have a new Yoko A-series put on to match the other three corners and keep this tyre/combo as my spare as there is only a space saver at the minute.

Thanks

coanda


tomsugden

2,414 posts

250 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
I'm not sure what you drive, but cars I have had in the past with space saver wheels, have space saver size storage compartments too. Where are you going to store a full size spare?

stevoknevo

1,748 posts

212 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
Half a mile on a flat tyre will leave rubber residue inside the tyre and compromise the integrity of the sidewall. Did you ask for the tyre back or ask them to dispose of it? If the latter it's probably been repaired and sold as a runner to one of his buddies. Better safe than sorry all the same.

joewilliams

2,004 posts

223 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
I went about 3/4 of a mile on a flat tyre, and it had a lot of rubber flakes inside it.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

76 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
tomsugden said:
I'm not sure what you drive, but cars I have had in the past with space saver wheels, have space saver size storage compartments too. Where are you going to store a full size spare?
Frunk of a 1988 MR2 - loadsa space. The UK cars had a fifth alloy/tyre as a spare. I've got a JDM SC car and it comes with a spacesaver but the actual space in the frunk doesn't change so it will fit.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

76 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
Steve, Joe - thanks for the info. Yes, better safe than sorry! I didn't ask for it back, so I guess they've done whatever they want with it - not something I have to worry about now!

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 23 November 22:32

StevoCally

190 posts

205 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
I had a similar result with a slow puncture that I pumped up (thought it may be kids letting it down overnight, but then heard hissing the second time).

Took it to my local tyre fitters (very reputable local company) who said it could not be repaired upon removal from rim due to the excessive rubber inside. The side wall was clearly weakened, not quite down to wire inside but not far away after a handful of miles running slightly flat.

Was given advice about keeping tyre pressures correct and getting punctures checked out immediately.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

76 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
Thanks Steve - this in't a situation I've encountered before so its good to know that this is a 'normal' result.

It is terrible suspecting everyone is trying to pull a fast one on you.