Questions tagged [tires]
A petroleum based rubber mounted on the wheels of vehicles to provide a higher friction coefficient between a vehicle and a road surface.
940
questions
90
votes
14
answers
26k
views
Why don't we rotate tyres but you rotate tires?
Is planning a regular rotation of new tyres over their lifespan a good or bad plan?
From many posts I've seen here and elsewhere on the web, motorists in the USA seem to see rotating tires as a task ...
- 23.5k
42
votes
15
answers
57k
views
Why don't people hand pump their tires?
My bicycle tires go to 60 psi, and I can easily fill them up from nothing with less than 10 pumps.
My car tires are at 32 psi, so shouldn't they be even easier? Yet I have never heard of anyone hand ...
- 487
39
votes
8
answers
16k
views
Is tire rotation important?
I just bought new tires for my car and included was free tire rotation every 7,500 miles for the life of the tires.
I have heard many things about tire rotation, including:
it's a worthless practice,...
- 493
38
votes
12
answers
17k
views
Does kicking a tire off your car from underneath it while it's held up by a stable jack pose safety threats?
I just had to put a doughnut on my car and I used the typical manufacturer car jack that fits into that little slot of metal near your wheel. After I got all the lug nuts out, I tried pulling the ...
- 489
30
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Why use snow tires on all 4 wheels on 2-wheel-drive cars?
In a car without four-wheel drive—if the car provides drive power on only two wheels—why put snow tires on all four wheels when the freeze sets in? Would it not be sufficient to change just the drive ...
- 1,565
27
votes
7
answers
5k
views
"Fill nitrogen in tires" poster - are the claims credible or just hot air?
I saw this poster at a tire shop earlier today
As the image quality isn't great, I'll reproduce the advert's claims in writing:
Take the lead! Ride smart!
[Nitrogen] for your SAFETY & ECONOMY
...
- 39.1k
25
votes
8
answers
11k
views
What is my friend's wife not telling him (about this tire)?
So a friend of mine sent me this picture of a "blow out" that happened on his wife's car (some Infinity coupe). She said that it just happened all of a sudden with no warning.
She says she pulled ...
- 13.3k
25
votes
10
answers
10k
views
Cheap winter tires vs high quality all seasons
My car honda CR-V is in pretty desperate need of new tires. I've put away a small amount from my last few paycheques, but it's not a whole lot. I'm curious as to whether you would feel it's a better ...
- 351
25
votes
9
answers
115k
views
How old is too old for a new tire?
When shopping for new tires from tirerack.com, the production date of the tires is listed.
I'm considering tires from a 2007 production run, which would make them around 5 years old today (after ...
- 5,323
24
votes
16
answers
602k
views
How do I loosen stuck lug nuts in order to change a tire?
How do I loosen car tire lug nuts (so that I can change a tire) when they are really really stuck?
I have tried turning the provided wrench, even standing and jumping on it. This worked for 4 of the ...
- 343
24
votes
4
answers
33k
views
What are the benefits of low profile tires?
I have yet to find anyone that knows of any benefits of low-profile tires. All of the pros that I've asked have said there is no benefit. Naturally, the number of pros that I have available to ask is ...
- 373
23
votes
8
answers
7k
views
Are tyre repair kits a viable alternative for a spare wheel?
I would REALLY like to get rid of my spare wheel. The wheel is heavy and I need the spare wheel well for... other purposes. In my history of driving I never had to use the spare wheel, so it cost me a ...
23
votes
1
answer
9k
views
Why are wheels labeled "R16" when the 16" is actually the diameter?
Just wondering about this, unless the R doesn't mean "Radius" it doesn't make much sense.
- 391
23
votes
3
answers
156k
views
Must I Replace All 4 Tires on an All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle?
I have a 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Wagon.
I just destroyed the passenger-side rear tire.
The tires have approx. 6/32" tread remaining, per an informal measurement with a coin (I used this guideline ...
- 414
22
votes
4
answers
18k
views
Why do tyres go flat after a few weeks of non-usage?
My car is a 2007 model FIAT Albea 1.3 liter 4-door saloon. I think it might be the "fire" version. Made (assembled) in Turkey. I use it 6 months a year but 4-5 weeks at a time. When it's stored/parked ...
- 251
21
votes
4
answers
38k
views
Is it safe to drive my car to a repair shop with a bolt in the tire? (picture)
Last night I ran over a bolt and it went straight into my front passenger tire. The shop that I usually take my car to for repairs is about 8 miles away (if I take no freeway), 7.5 miles away by ...
- 313
21
votes
3
answers
82k
views
What is the small metal square attached to the wheel or tire?
I found that this small metal square labelled "1/4 FE" had come off my car's wheel yesterday. I am wondering what it could be, and whether it's important to put it back on.
- 219
21
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How To Read Car Tires
On my VW Passat B5 tires, there is a marking that reads "195/65R15 91 V".
What does this mean? Do I have to get replacement tires with this exact marking on the side of the tire in the future or not? ...
- 7,927
20
votes
5
answers
183k
views
HOW urgently should I replace this tire? Is it safe to drive on at all?
Update: I actually don't even have the car anymore. But I did immediately change this tire at the time.
It's my rear right tire. It has a significant bulge in the sidewall.
Here are two pictures ...
- 301
20
votes
8
answers
470k
views
Steering wheel shakes at high speeds
the steering wheel sometimes shakes at high speeds around 70 miles per hour. It does not always happen. Some day when I am driving at 70, I feel no shakes. some day it shakes badly at the same speed. ...
- 409
19
votes
6
answers
13k
views
Normal to leave nail in tire after a flat?
So today was that epic event of walking out into the parking lot at high noon, sun blazing, and finding out you have a completely flat tire. Skipping over the usual details about changing out a tire ...
user2776
19
votes
6
answers
487k
views
Can this tire sidewall damage be repaired or should I replace the tire?
I* hit a curb and got a small tear in the front passenger side tire. The tear is about 1" long and goes mostly across the surface of the tire but also a little bit, maybe 1/4", toward the inside of ...
- 293
18
votes
8
answers
62k
views
I got this screw in my tire, should I plug or replace?
Should I have the tire plugged, patched, or replaced?
18
votes
1
answer
32k
views
What are these metal clips where my wheel rims meet the tires and what are they for?
I had a leaky tire, so I took it in to be checked for a puncture. The guy found no puncture but found it was leaking air where this clip met the tire:
That clip had been there since I bought the ...
- 2,628
18
votes
4
answers
796
views
What factors affect the maximum air pressure that should be put in a vehicle's tires?
For just about every car, there's at least two different "maximum tire pressure" ratings.
The vehicle manufacturer's rating. This is usually found on a sticker attached to the driver's door.
The ...
- 2,591
17
votes
4
answers
180k
views
Is a tire with exposed wire safe to drive on?
This is my front passenger tire. As you can see, there is a large crack where you can see wire underneath. I ordered new tires that are supposed to arrive on Friday, however, I still need to get to &...
- 171
17
votes
6
answers
42k
views
How to fix leaky tires after 2 shops couldn't
I have an SUV with factory 16" steel wheels and P235/70R16 tires. The tires have just under 30,000 miles of gentle driving on them. Two of the tires have been leaking quite a bit (about 10 psi per ...
- 325
17
votes
4
answers
108k
views
Do these tyre cracks necessitate replacement?
My car has been off the road for a few months, but will be back on it in a few weeks. The other day, I noticed some cracks between the treads on the front tyres. Not sure how long they've been there.
...
- 3,012
17
votes
1
answer
680
views
What is cold tire shearing?
I have friends that goto Track Days frequently on their motorcycles. If the first session is very cold they use their old tires and don't ride real hard because they don't want to shear their good ...
- 1,487
16
votes
7
answers
76k
views
Hit a curb; chewed up rim and took a chunk out of tire. Will they need replacement?
Forced into a curb this morning while going about 35 mph...Just wondering what I'll be in for when I take it in later this afternoon. No air coming out as far as I can tell... Maybe 1/4-1/2 inch deep, ...
- 163
16
votes
4
answers
58k
views
Tire blew out at 15K miles, should I replace just one tire or a pair
I got 4 new Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires for my 2012 Camry a few months ago. One tire blew out over the weekend, it got a screw in the center of the tread and apparently lost air fast causing the ...
- 163
16
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Should I change my tires so they all match?
Here is my situation:
2012 Honda Civic EX, 1.8L with P205/55R16 tires recommended
Three (both front, and left passenger) tires are OEM Continental ContiProContact P205/55R16 89H with about 20,000 ...
- 509
15
votes
6
answers
67k
views
How much air should a tire lose each month?
How much air does a tire typically lose each month?
Do nitrogen-filled tires actually lose less air (well, nitrogen) each month? If so, what's normal for them?
According to a tire store manager I ...
- 2,235
15
votes
5
answers
74k
views
Differences and Recommendation between Steel and Alloy Wheels for Winter?
There are many discussions regarding steel vs. alloy wheels in Winter on multiple forums. It would be good if someone could lay out full facts and help scale these differences (questions below).
For ...
- 367
15
votes
6
answers
210k
views
How long can I drive on a donut spare?
This is a pretty common question and I get a lot of conflicting responses from "Extremely dangerous could blow out at any minute" to "I've driven on it for a month". A mechanic at midas told me I ...
- 253
15
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Cold temperatures and tire pressure light
I have 2013 Nissan Rogue. I live in Toronto, Canada, so it is very cold here right now. I understand that cold temperatures can cause the tire pressure light to come on, but will it actually affect ...
- 273
15
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Will snow tire studs get rusty if a tire is washed before putting to storage?
Once snow tires are changed to warm-weather tires in spring it's tempting to wash them before putting to storage so that they don't stain stuff they come into contact with. One concern is that studs ...
- 1,366
14
votes
5
answers
229k
views
Why do some tuned cars have very inclined tires?
I've seen photographs of cars with strange inclined tires like the one in the picture I pasted here. They seems to be Japanese cars. Is it for drifting? Maybe for appearance? Do the tires get ...
- 379
14
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Should I fill my tire?
I measured the PSI on my rear driver tire (using a gauge pin - push it into the needle and a stick pops out with a reading), and I got a reading of 22 PSI. My tires are supposed to be anywhere from 30-...
- 243
14
votes
9
answers
200k
views
Is it okay to replace one tire (of four matched tires) with a completely different model of tire?
I have a 2011 Ford Focus, and while the car itself is good quality, I have now ruined two tires in three months by merely driving over a screw.
Ford offers no road hazard on their tires, so I am ...
- 295
14
votes
4
answers
17k
views
Is it absolutely necessary to replace all four tyres on a manual 2008 Subaru Impreza?
I destroyed a back tire on my 2008 Subaru Impreza manual transmission with viscous coupling.
The manual says all four tires must be the same size.
The spare tire must only be mounted onto the rear ...
- 241
14
votes
5
answers
9k
views
Why nitrogen and not carbon dioxide is used in critical tire applications?
In critical applications tires are inflated using pure nitrogen (link).
But carbon dioxide (CO2) is a larger molecule (will leak slower from the tire), as well as inert (will not oxidize rim and will ...
- 473
14
votes
2
answers
136k
views
Checking Tire Pressure when the tire is warm or cold
Witnessed a recent debate about what is the appropriate temperature to check tire pressure at. The debate centered around warm or cold, there wasn't an exact temperature given by any of the parties.
...
- 33k
13
votes
4
answers
8k
views
Tire sidewall damage, replace immediately?
Somehow I was lucky enough to hit something when going downhill. And now my tire looks like in the picture. So should I still drive with this tire or get it replace immediately? And to replace it, is ...
- 133
13
votes
3
answers
10k
views
Are trims (Hubcaps) on a car tires necessary?
Are there any mechanical / safety issues arise when you do not put trims on car tires? Even when using the car in winter temperatures? (Say -15C to -20C)
- 241
13
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Winter tires and summer tires
I bought a new car back in June this year and the car comes with summer performance tires.
I live in Minnesota and now it's December, so I really want to get snow tires installed instead of driving ...
- 241
13
votes
6
answers
1k
views
Second hand car - Engine/Tyres/Etc
I am looking into buying a second hand car from a reputable Mercedes-Benz dealer (not just some dodgy salesman by the side of a road lol....).
Anyway, there are a few maintenance/mechanical things ...
- 480
13
votes
5
answers
148k
views
Tire SideWall Damage. Replace?
Yesterday I bumped into a curb and my tire has sidewall damage. Is this tire safe to drive on? or do I need to replace this tire?
- 131
13
votes
5
answers
10k
views
How to carry a full-sized spare?
I have a 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX, but I suspect my question can be generalized to apply to many smaller cars.
Not being a fan of donut spare tires, when I replaced my tires about a year ago I kept ...
- 297
13
votes
2
answers
82k
views
Is it normal both TPMS sensors fail just after changing tires?
I had the rear pair of tires of my 2006 Toyota Prius changed recently. Both were already bald and one was also leaky. The Tire Pressure Measure Sensors were pointing correctly that the leaky tire ...
- 1,739