Hi all
Had my tyre go flat today. Noticed it when the steering went funny. Checked the tyre and was 8psi. The funny thing is the stem cap was off which I can't explain though i did run a pot hole the other day. Anyone reckon it could be sabotage? Am going to recheck pressure tomorrow and if it goes back down I guess it must just be a puncture.
Also any recos for tyre repair if this is the case? I have a somewhat dodgy beaurepaire outlet nearby vs a bridgestone shop.
Cheers
If you are okay to try, put a bit of spit on the valve. If it is loosing air it would bubble up. Then you will need a tool to tighten the valve and fill up air. That may fix it.
Don't think it could be sabotage, it's too easy to damage someone car to bother spending 90 seconds fiddling with valve and letting 75% of air out.
A pothole probably would either blow the tyre or do nothing much. Caps don't ever seem to unscrew themselves, but probably was not refitted on checking pressure recently.
Also if tyre is faulty, I tend to buy a new one, as a repair is likely well over $25.
Crystal ball is a bit foggy here but I am guessing you park on the street or an easily accessible carport? Kids most likely let your tyre down seeing as the dust cap was off.
Have you upset anyone lately?
No tyre manufacturer will provide warranty service for damage caused by punks letting your tyre down.
" I have a somewhat dodgy beaurepaire outlet nearby"
They probably have dodgy customers also????
After driving it with that low a pressure in it … buy a new one immediately.
My dad used an offer for free alignment with beaurepaire and he watched from across the road (unbeknownst to them) as they moved his car without lifting it and then called him to pick it up claiming it had been done. When he questioned them about it they insisted it had been done…go figure.
We had one of those cheap Beaurepaire alignment offers too.
I was sceptical also but it turned out to be very good. The car steered far better than it ever had during its previous 7 yrs since new. It was a 4 wheel alignment and I watched them do it. I do know that this particular franchise of Beaurepaires (Kotara) is one that maintains very high standards.
Your experience is more a case of bad attitude of the franchisee or staff or both.
It is NOT the badge on the shirt that gives you value for money, it's the attitude of the person in the shirt. It's rocket science to some to understand that.. :-(
Bad service happens more often than not with a lot of Australian businesses. They just don't give a damn.
My 2 cents, if you are 100% sure you had a cap on there then it is most likely someone let it out. I've never had a cap come loose. But I'm sure by now you have pumped it back up. Check it again and go from there.
So update is I rechecked pressures and there was 1psi loss from 32 - 31 but the other tyres were the same so I assume this is within normal limits. I'm thinking more and more that this may be sabotage. Am still considering getting it checked out at a tyre place though. Thoughts anyone? The screw cap has never been taken off since I bought the car a few months ago so I sorta doubt it was loose unless initially from the dealership.
1 psi difference is fine. I wouldn't bother getting it tested until you discover it going down. Recheck tomorrow and get another cap!
If your screw cap (valve stem cover) is missing it will not cause the tyre to go down.
How far did you drive on the tyre with 8psi in it?
You do realise that tyres can be damaged from doing that?
I asked before… is it parked on the street? or in a carport in a block of flats or similar where young punks can get to it?
Hi fellow motorists
The most unprepared and weakness of a tyre is it's sidewall
No steel belts only nylon reinforcement called side ply
The side wall know as the aspect ratio is there to match the rolling diameter of the vehicles gearing motor verses tyre rotations fuel economy etc,
A tyre on all motor vehicles regardless of brand or size requires inflation either compressed air or nitrogen inflation
Did you know the only thing that keeps such inflation intact is either the inner liner of the tyre being manufactured hence it's a tubeless tyre and doesn't need a tube or it's the valve mostly made in China with a small o ring which in time can perish and fail anytime
The valve cap is only a dust cap nothing else…..
So when buying tyres make sure your price quoted includes a new valve ……..
Remember it's only the air and the tyre along with the road surface which keeps you safe.
A point to remember a tyre dealer can buy a complete valve assy for under 15 cents
That 60 cents can save your life yet we buy tyres based on the best deal forgetting the real fitting and safety value on the retailer that replaces your tyre valve automatically
Makes good sense to ask the question
Safe motoring
Mike
valves can go bad too. They can cheaply be replaced.
you should always have a cap on it. Dust can ruin the valve apparently.