Simple tire question.....Advice?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Simple tire question.....Advice?
This may seem like a silly question about tire-care, but here it goes anyway
Do "modern" tires (not the old poly-bias type) become damaged or more prone to leaking more after sitting for a long period of time? My tires seem to be losing what I think is too much air just from sitting a month or two between drives...Just wondering if this is causing any real damage...If so, should I maybe do something such as putting the car up on stands, remove tires, etc....Feedback appreciated.
Do "modern" tires (not the old poly-bias type) become damaged or more prone to leaking more after sitting for a long period of time? My tires seem to be losing what I think is too much air just from sitting a month or two between drives...Just wondering if this is causing any real damage...If so, should I maybe do something such as putting the car up on stands, remove tires, etc....Feedback appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Is this on all 4 tires ? First thing I'd do is eliminate the possibility of a puncture or a defective valve, is there any obvious cracks in the tire(s).
Good luck,, Happy New Year. Peace,,,Moosie
Good luck,, Happy New Year. Peace,,,Moosie
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
I can't give you the technical but remember when the temperature
outside changes you can loose air in your tires. Happens all the time.
How old are your tires? - if older than 5 years that could be part of
the problem.
outside changes you can loose air in your tires. Happens all the time.
How old are your tires? - if older than 5 years that could be part of
the problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Not sure how old they are...They appear to be pretty new, but they came with the car when I bought them, and I never asked the previous owner...May try to get new ones anyway in the next year or so.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 35
From: Sunshine State, USA
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
As the temperature decreases, so does the air pressure. That is why you check tire pressures at cold before you drive. Just driving makes the temps and therefore the air pressures rise. Check your pressures at least once a month, and anytime the temp drops a lot.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
There are a couple of possibilities...a bad valve stem, a small puncture in a tire, the bead may not be sealing properly. Another possibility is if you have the aluminum wheels. Cast aluminum wheels are porous and there's the possibility one wheel might be more porous than the others, allowing air to seep out.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 262
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Tires
If you are not driving your car but only ocassionally it may be best to inflate the tires 10 pounds over the normal pressure. This will prevent "flat spots" and keep the tire tight around the rim. It is easier to do this rather than place the car on stands. I work part-time (since I am retired) for Sears automotive and this is what we recommend...especially over the winter months if the car is not driven.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
There are a couple of possibilities...a bad valve stem, a small puncture in a tire, the bead may not be sealing properly. Another possibility is if you have the aluminum wheels. Cast aluminum wheels are porous and there's the possibility one wheel might be more porous than the others, allowing air to seep out.
I seem to be adding air to my aluminun wheels with brand new tires. My ralley steels wheels very rare I have to add any air.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
A local tire shop who I have been dealing w/over the last 25 years told me tires have a shelf life of 10 years before dry rot or cracking of the side wall. then its time to replace. another thing you have want to check is the condition of your 29 year old wheels. I had a bad aluminum rim on my 79 that looked good but the tire would go flat in two weeks parked in the garage. A simple fix to this problem is green slime. the tire must have no air in it. w/the car jacked up you remove the valve stem and insert the green slime rotate the wheel a few turns 360* coating the inside of the tire & rim. then insert stem and fill w/air. this works for minor cracks in the side wall & rim. or buy new wheels & tires. G/L
Last edited by Jims79; Jan 2, 2008 at 09:44 AM.