imj0257

iTrader: (1)

So the past few weeks I've noticed one of my tires has always been low on air. I went to check the psi in each tire and all had about normal ~32 psi and this one had 5. So i filled it up, checked the psi again a week later, was back down to about 5 and filled it up again. A couple days later I took the car in for an oil change/tire rotation at the dealer (brand new factory tires on the car when I got them and now they have about 7k miles on them). Obviously the dealer didn't care to look to see if there was a hole or something stuck in the tire (I don't know if that is part of their responsibility when doing a rotation) but I still have the problem. For some reason I fill up the tire to ~33 psi and 4-5 days later it is back down to about 5 psi. Any thoughts what this could be? My guess is something stuck in there.

So, I am wondering... a friend told me that if I could take the tire off and take it to discount tire then they could fix it for free if there's a hole or something stuck in it (I've had prior business with them but not these tires). Or since the tires came from the dealer and were brand new when I got the car 6 months ago, should they take a look at it and replace it under warranty?

Thanks for the input ...

ek9hatch

The tire has a leak. Take it to Sears or a tire center and have them find and plug the hole. The dealer won't warranty road damage to a tire.

Worst thing that'll happen is the hole is in, or too close to, the sidewall and you have to spring for a new tire.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

I was thinking that if something was stuck in it, couldn't I just jack it up and try to find it myself and then plug it with some foam stuff (or anything else ya'll recommend). Other than that, how much you think it'll cost at a tire center to find/plug it?

msala524

iTrader: (3)

If you have tpms sensors they might be loose in that tire. That happened to me once. Make sure there tight on the rim.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

^ don't have tpms sensors

Will Y.

No- don't use that flat-tire repair in a can- it will leave a mess inside your tire and probably unbalance the tire/wheel. It also won't work if you've got a leaking valve stem.

The tire center, or a mechanic with a tire installation machine, will charge between $10 and $20 to do a plug-and-patch if the deflation is just a small hole in the tread. I've had 3 tires patched- 2 are still on the TL- in SoCal, so the cost is low.

A hole close to the sidewall/shoulder is NOT repairable; the tire must be replaced in that situation.

A replacement valve stem installed should be the same price as a plug-and-patch, if not a buck or two less.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Called my dealer and they said they could plug it for $20.
Called discount tire and they said they could plug if for FREE, regardless if I bought the tire from there or not.

As soon as I get it back from the shop I'm heading straight to discount tire... but I hate their long lines

mattster

Discount Tire / America's Tire FTW!! They also do free rotations once you establish a business relationship (buy tires) with them.

rksokol

imj0257,

Did you get your tire fixed? I had a leaky tire, and it was a cracked rim, which was teh total suck...

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

I vote for damaged/leaky valve stem...

TeknoKing

^^^ Agree, just put some saliva on the tip, if the bubbles remains, it is not the stem, if it pops, it is the stem and a 5 bux fix.

If it is the tire, also an easy cheap fix...

But it could be a bent rim (on the inside)...now this is where the cost rises.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

sk8ter4life

iTrader: (3)

Maybe valve stem, get this, here in torrance, CA Power Acura of south bay to be exact..gets there lube techs to install new tires, but they didn't even bother to change the valve stems..no matter what america's tires will hook it up!

BlueAc

iTrader: (2)

I had the same problem for about 6 months with my car and then other day the tire went totally flat. Turns out I had 2 nails in my tire, NTB fixed it for $20 and now I'm back in business. Sure beat the hell out of the $330 I paid them for a new tire before.

niroola

Ditto here on the cracked rim. I am surprise I was able to drive on in for a few months with the crack. I filled it up with air about every 3 weeks before it finally just would leak after a few hours. I ended up buying a whole new set of take-off wheels and tires from a dealer for a grand. (yes, I needed new tires too!)

ifirahse

iTrader: (6)

Just know that a plugged tire shouldn't be driven faster than 100 mph.

SpecialFX

And just where do you drive faster than 100 mph?

I've bought the kit and plugged my own tires for years. If it's a nail or something it's very easy to do. I've used the stuff in the can as well without any problems.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Update:

took it to discount tire this morning and ya they found a screw in the tire so they plugged it, balanced, and made sure all tires had proper psi - all for free

<3 discount tire