my tire blew out this weekend...questions..

[weezergirl]

I was driving this weekend on the freeway and my tire blew out. I have a 2002 Civic Ex and they were firestone tires. The tire basically looks like it's torn at the hubcap. I had 14K miles on them.

I went to the firestone place to get them replaced and the guy basically said that the tires weren't defective...but that they had low pressure and that's why they blew up. And then when he replaced them he said that all 3 tires were low on air.

The weird thing is I just went to the Honda dealership last weekend to get my oil changed. To my understanding they check my tires right? I find it hard to believe that all 4 of my tires would lose air that fast?? Also, every time my dad visits me he always checks my tires for me and the last time was about 3 months ago.

Anyways, I couldn't talk to Honda service today since they are closed but does anyone know if I'm covered under warranty or what I should do when I talk to them tomorrow? I'd really like to get my 108 dollars back!

 

[conjur]

Should be able to get a pro-rated credit back based on the tread depth of the tire that blew.

 

[Heisenberg]

A good shop should check tire pressure when changing oil, but it's not a standard part of an oil change by any means. All tires lose a little air over time, and the pressure will go down if the weather gets cold.

 

[weezergirl]

Originally posted by: conjur
Should be able to get a pro-rated credit back based on the tread depth of the tire that blew.

Well when I got the tire replaced firestone disposed the tire for me. and he said firestone does not cover it and neither will honda since i have 14K miles on it???

 

[weezergirl]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
A good shop should check tire pressure when changing oil, but it's not a standard part of an oil change by any means. All tires lose a little air over time, and the pressure will go down if the weather gets cold.

I live in souther california. It's hot here all the time.

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: weezergirl

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
A good shop should check tire pressure when changing oil, but it's not a standard part of an oil change by any means. All tires lose a little air over time, and the pressure will go down if the weather gets cold.

I live in souther california. It's hot here all the time.

They'll still lose air over time. How low were they?

 

[blurredvision]

Well, since the tire was disposed of, I'm not sure you have many options at this point. My suggestion? If you think this is going to be a problem in the future, get one of those $.98 cent tire pressure pens at Wal-Mart. Just try and make it a habit to check your tire pressure once a week. Let us know your tire size (should be on the sidewall of your tires somewhere), and we'll be able to tell you what your pressure should be.

 

[weezergirl]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg

Originally posted by: weezergirl

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
A good shop should check tire pressure when changing oil, but it's not a standard part of an oil change by any means. All tires lose a little air over time, and the pressure will go down if the weather gets cold.

I live in souther california. It's hot here all the time.

They'll still lose air over time. How low were they?

The guy told me it should be 30 and that the other tires were 22-25

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: weezergirl

Originally posted by: conjur
Should be able to get a pro-rated credit back based on the tread depth of the tire that blew.

Well when I got the tire replaced firestone disposed the tire for me. and he said firestone does not cover it and neither will honda since i have 14K miles on it???

That is bullsh!t. He is either a dumbass, or is lying to you. If you are female (I am assuming because of your avatar) then I would lean towards lying.

 

[Evadman]

Doesn't the 2002 civic have a tire pressure monitor?

<edit>
it doesn't. my bad.

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: weezergirl

Originally posted by: Heisenberg

Originally posted by: weezergirl

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
A good shop should check tire pressure when changing oil, but it's not a standard part of an oil change by any means. All tires lose a little air over time, and the pressure will go down if the weather gets cold.

I live in souther california. It's hot here all the time.

They'll still lose air over time. How low were they?

The guy told me it should be 30 and that the other tires were 22-25

If they haven't been checked in 3 months that's not unreasonable. Tire pressure should really be checked every few weeks. I'm not sure what else you can do if the warranty doesn't cover it.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: weezergirl
The guy told me it should be 30 and that the other tires were 22-25

It should be 30 according to the dataplate. (looked it up) however, that is at maximum load. I doubt you were driving with 3 other people & a full trunk at that time.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: weezergirl
The guy told me it should be 30 and that the other tires were 22-25

It should be 30 according to the dataplate. (looked it up) however, that is at maximum load. I doubt you were driving with 3 other people & a full trunk at that time.

No, that is up to full load. The tires should never be lower than the PSI stated on the car's doorpost under normal driving conditions. Period.

Now, if you're autocrossing and you're adjusting tire pressures to alter handling characteristics that's another matter, but 8 PSI under-inflation is serious.

ZV

 

[Akira13]

I checked my 02 Civic LX's tires this morning... 1psi low all around. Maybe I'll stop by the service station tomorrow morning.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Akira13
I checked my 02 Civic LX's tires this morning... 1psi low all around. Maybe I'll stop by the service station tomorrow morning.

1 psi oh gnoes!

 

[MedicBob]

Not always are tire pressures checked. Go into Honda and see if they are, also see if you still have the work order from when the oil was changed, it should be on there what was and what wasn't done.

Good luck.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: weezergirl
The guy told me it should be 30 and that the other tires were 22-25

It should be 30 according to the dataplate. (looked it up) however, that is at maximum load. I doubt you were driving with 3 other people & a full trunk at that time.

No, that is up to full load. The tires should never be lower than the PSI stated on the car's doorpost under normal driving conditions. Period.
ZV

that is true most of the time, not all of the time. My Dodge had the rear listed at 65 PSI cold. The tires that were on it when I bought it (OEM Cooper Load Range E) were 55 max on the sidewall. I ran them at 28 in the rear for an even contact patch. (per manufacturer instructions)

Ya take chalk and rub it on a swatch of tire. Then drive around the block. Is the chalk worn evenly? If not adjust Air accordingly. (worn in middle = too much, worn in outsoe = too little ) Do this with a warm tire. (at or about operating tempeature)

When ever I hauled something, I filled up to max pressure on the tire of course.

When I had the TSL Swampers on it (45 PSI MAX) I was running them at 24 PSI. at 28 only the center 1/2 of the tire even touched the road.

This is according to the OEM manufacturer & 2 different tire dealers. (Discount Tire & NTB)

 

[Jzero]

My Honda dealership's "standard" oil change includes checking/topping up of tires and fluids, but I have my suspicions that they don't always do everything, especially the tires. But short of checking the tires before and after a service appointment, there's no way I can be certain. It's just not worth my time.

 

[0roo0roo]

if you had been in an explorer u'd be dead

 

[Bad Dude]

Hello,
You do not need to check your tire pressure for every 6 months in SoCA. It will be low over time but not every 30 days. Because of the hot weather, the tire pressure is lost slower. You just got ripped off on that tire, unless you have special tread or size tire. If it was standard size tire, you should not have paid for more than $70. If you are within the city limit, next time ask the tow truck to take you to a discounted tire place. Even the best Good year does not cost that much on a standard tire. It seems like they charged you for two tires b/c they knew you needed a tire and you are a girl.
By the way, you should know the warranty on your tire. Next time ask them for blown tire back.
If it was firestone, it probably was a defective one. The guy will get reimburse from Firestone but not as much as he got from you. Basically, he got paid twice, once by you and one more when Firestone credit him for the blown tire. Most blown tires are defective tires. Tires usually are blown due to retread, defective, or over inflation. It will be flat if you have low pressure as the rim can cut the tire on the side. But never blown.
So you got rip. I would ask for a second opinion and report the shop to the Better Business Bureau. Also call Firestone while you at it, you might get something out of it too. Honda is only giving you a 1 year warranty and 90 days on the tires. The remaining warranty is with the manufacturer.

 

[abaez]

weezergirl if you go to sams they have a great warranty anything happens to your tire they fix it/replace it for free. I've gone there three times and every single time I just handed them my receipt and info and they changed it all in under an hour. Once for a blown tire (I hit a curb too hard sharp edge), once for a screw and once it was just leaking slow. Everytime it was great service.