• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Dumb flat tire questions

EightySix Four

EightySix Four

Diamond Member
So I just went downstairs to grab dinner and my car was kind enough to let me know the passenger side front tire was flat (stupid potholes). Upon confirming its flatness and hearing the air hiss out I started to think about the appropriate next action. The car comes with a slime kit and no spare, tire shops are all closed since it is 8pm, and it is a PS2 so I would prefer to save it if I can.

First, is it going to hurt the tire for it to be flat overnight sitting on the flattened sidewall?

If it will damage it to sit, should I use the fix-a-flat to inflate it, drive it around the garage once or twice, and then take it in the morning? I could also potentially let it sit on a jack overnight and put the wheel and tire in the back of the SUV if I had to.

I also have roadside assistance if flat bedding it somewhere is my best option to minimize the damage.

What do you guys think?
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't use the slime, just jack it up and take the tire to the shop tomorrow to do a proper patch. The edges of the rim might do some damage on a flat tire since its a very small contact area and a lot of weight.
 
If it's a mechanical jack, it will probably be okay to trust it for a day.

Hydraulic ones tend to leak down.

Just don't ever get under the car without using jack stands.
 
Vetterin said:
Potholes generally cause blowouts which can't be repaired. Are you sure you just don't have a nail of screw in your tire? Did you try filling it up and actually seeing where the leak is? If it's a slow leak you should be able to fill it up and drive to a repair facility. I have used a simple tire repair kit for years and it has saved me many times. http://www.harborfreight.com/media/...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_17145.jpg
Click to expand...

Hit the pothole at 3:30 and it was enough of a bump to schedule an appointment with the dealer but I drove the car home with no problem. At 7 it was flat and I could hear air hissing but couldn't see where the air was coming out.

Thanks for the kit suggestion, may see if I can find the issue when I get home in a bit.
 
Vetterin said:
Potholes generally cause blowouts which can't be repaired. Are you sure you just don't have a nail of screw in your tire? Did you try filling it up and actually seeing where the leak is? If it's a slow leak you should be able to fill it up and drive to a repair facility. I have used a simple tire repair kit for years and it has saved me many times. http://www.harborfreight.com/media/...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_17145.jpg
Click to expand...

I'd rather have a bike pump and one of these patch kits in the car, than a can of fix-a-flat slime crap. NEVER plug the sidewall. NEVER! If it was hissing, you can find the location of the hiss with some water; at home, very soapy water makes it even easier, since it will bubble. Push the rough tool in and out of the hole to roughen it up, put the plug through the tool, slap on some glue, insert the plug, reinflate the tire. It's *nearly* as good as getting a patch inside the tire; and generally will not leak or cause any problems even if you don't take it to the shop to get a proper patch.

This video is one of the better ones I could find https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RDX2jUfiCc
What I like about the patch kit is that if you have enough clearance around your tire, you can often patch the tire without jacking up the vehicle or removing the tire. In other words, if you can hear it hissing, and can either roll the car half a foot forward or backward as necessary to make it easy to reach the leak location, you can patch it right where it is. In fact, you might be able to patch the tire in less time than it would take to get out the jack, jack up the car, and remove the tire.
 
Last edited:
EightySix Four said:
Hit the pothole at 3:30 and it was enough of a bump to schedule an appointment with the dealer but I drove the car home with no problem. At 7 it was flat and I could hear air hissing but couldn't see where the air was coming out.

Thanks for the kit suggestion, may see if I can find the issue when I get home in a bit.
Click to expand...

Might be a cracked wheel.
 
Bleh, popped the sidewall. Was able to limp to the closest shop who unsurprisingly didn't carry 255/40-19 PS2s so he gave me a loaner pirelli and ordered one to pick up tomorrow. Expensive pothole.
 
Sounds like your tire is DOA, sorry!

pothole can bend the rim, causing tire deflation. Happened to me a few weeks ago, didn't realize it until the tire guys tried to balance the rim and saw the deformation.
 
EightySix Four said:
LTC8K6 said:
Road hazard warranty?
Click to expand...

I actually have no idea. These were the tires that were on it when I bought it, they're close to new based on tread.
Click to expand...
Unless you inherited warranty paperwork on the vehicle when you purchased it; there should be none.

I have not heard of any tire supplier that will honor a warranty without some indication when it was purchased it from them/dealer. This shows time and mileage for the tire.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top