Anyone know anything about tires? Mechanic is closed...

[mickeywho?]

I drive a mini countryman. Had the tires changed last week (snow > regular). And a couple of days ago the front passenger side went flat. Side was torn up. Managed to get it straight to dealership. Luckily I was less than a km away.

Of course, this means a whole new tire. $300 not cheap!

I do my usual driving around on a Saturday - lots of errands - and the "check tire" light is on again. I take a good look around and they all seem fine. Pulled out my handy digital pressure-gage and checked them all. Should be set at 32psi. Three are 37psi and the new one is 31psi.

Obviously I need to get back to the dealership. I'm actually thinking they over-inflated all four when they were switched and one happened to pop. I don't think it was a coincidence.

Can I drive on it to get it back to the dealership? Only one car and I need to drop kids at school first thing Monday or they don't have a way of getting in. But I'm wondering if maybe I need to call a tow and have it brought in first.

Thoughts?? I know NOTHING about cars!

 

[Christine]

I would add air to the new one to get it to 32 psi and let air out of the others. Your sensor may be going off due to unequal tire pressure amongst the 4 tires.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

IF you have a way, document the pressure readings. Take a pic of the gauge reading.

 

[mickeywho?]

Sorry - should have mentioned. They are filled with Nitrogen. Can I add air??

 

[Christine]

Sorry - should have mentioned. They are filled with Nitrogen. Can I add air??

Oh, guess not. I think I'm glad I have a boring car!!

 

[justgrace]

Hmmm...
I know my tire pressure light goes off when the weather fluctuates. Sometimes the tire pressure gets lower when it gets cold and vice versa. Could that be what is going on with your tires?

 

[mickeywho?]

I'm going to check the pressure again in the morning to see if it reads the same. I just don't know if I can drive on it like this to get it back to the dealership? 15 minute drive on main roads (no highway). Would I do it damage by driving on it this way?

 

[pcstang]

You will be fine to drive on it. Yes you can add regular air to nitrogen filled tires. Nitrogen just has less variation or fluctuation with temperature changes.

 

[lsyorke]

Wow, never heard of nitrogen in tires before. Did a quick google and found this:

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/12/should-you-put-nitrogen-in-your-car-tires.html

Doesn't answer your question, but I wouldn't be wasting money with nitrogen.

 

[sam_gordon]

Why wouldn't you drive it? Simply let the air out of the three w/37psi. Just push the little pin in the middle of the valve. Air will leak out. I'd do about 2 seconds, then check with the gauge again. The single tire at 31psi is not an issue.

Definitely check your psi in the morning (check your spare too if you have one). There might be a 1-2psi change, but much more than that and I'd suspect a leak.

 

[pcstang]

Couldn't agree more on nitrogen being a waste of money. My wife's vehicle came with nitrogen filled tires (supposedly).

 

[pcstang]

As stated above, your tpms measure tire rotations and not the actual air pressure of the tire.

 

[mickeywho?]

Why wouldn't you drive it? Simply let the air out of the three w/37psi. Just push the little pin in the middle of the valve. Air will leak out. I'd do about 2 seconds, then check with the gauge again. The single tire at 31psi is not an issue.

Definitely check your psi in the morning (check your spare too if you have one). There might be a 1-2psi change, but much more than that and I'd suspect a leak.

Well why didn't I think of that!! Of course! I'll check in the morning and lower the three so all four match. Thanks!! That should at least get me through tomorrow and I can be watchful and see if there's any change.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I would be really surprised if a week of driving plus 5psi caused the tire to pop. Overinflating tires almost never causes damage like you're speaking of, especially at such a low additional psi.

It can cause long term wear problems, but that's not what's going on. You're fine to drive-low tire pressure just makes your gas mileage a bit lower (unless it's like flat low, which 31psi isn't).

I'd hit a gas station and get all my tires to the recommend pressure and skip the dealership. Bad luck to blow a week old tire, but I think it's just that.

And yes you can air to nitrogen tires. It's pretty much just a gimmick.

Were the regular tires you had put on brand new?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Well why didn't I think of that!! Of course! I'll check in the morning and lower the three so all four match. Thanks!! That should at least get me through tomorrow and I can be watchful and see if there's any change.

Here's why I say to document the tire pressure. Maybe it was a fluke, who knows. (Although you say in your OP you do not think it was a coincidence.) But say another tire blows, you then have evidence that they were not inflated to recommendations after the service (which is documented by date). If you don't have the tire pressure documentation, you won't be able to prove anything. If you have evidence, why not keep it handy just in case.

I once had four new tires put on and I had an awful time with them. They were never right after that, always lost air, so much so that just about every day I had to stop and put air in all four which was a major PIA with two little kids in the back. I took the car back several times and they replaced stems and resealed and what not, but they were never right again. I finally had enough and traded it in. Tires I bought most recently were $400 each. Don't mess around with your tires.

 

[Skippy918]

The recommended tire pressure is listed on the sticker inside the driver door panel. The documentation for the tire should list what the max pressure is. If the 3 tires are too high, let the air out. If the one tire is too low, just go to the gas station and fill up with air. Most gas stations have air compressors.

 

[goofyernmost]

Just for the sake of information. Those tires shouldn't be a problem with 37 pounds in them. The only thing that might be a problem is if you lived in a very high temperature area then the tires will build up more pressure but they shouldn't blow out because of it. Your car will ride a little harder and the tires will wear more in the middle of the tread, but that would be it. If the side wall blew out, then it is possible that the tire was defective OR you hit a curb or picked up a nail and it was driven flat for a distance (doesn't have to be far) and that cut the sidewall. If the latter didn't happen then they took you for a ride in charging you for another tire. They should have been warrantied for at least a little while.

It isn't unusual for tires to be accidentally over/under inflated, but, be sure to check your owners manual to see what they should be. There usually is a range that is ideal for ride and handling. What you were told was good, to take air out of the tires and see if they stay where they are for a period of time, then I wouldn't worry about it. There will be a fluctuation in pressure from day to day. There is less pressure before you drive it, or if it's a cold day. That is why they tell you to check it when the tires are cold (not run yet) they will go up while driving. It's a normal thing. And yes you can put air in them even if they were initially inflated with nitrogen.

Where are you buying your tires? I buy 16 inch wide, all season, brand name tires for my Cadillac and have yet to pay more then $450.00 for all four of them put together. Someone is taking advantage of your lack of car knowledge. The internet is your friend in situations like this. Try and know what you are talking about before you make a major investment like that.

 

[cvjw]

You can add regular air to nitrogen filled tires. I have added it to mine.

Just FYI to everyone saying nitrogen in a gimmick. I recently had to replace one of my 2 year old Michelin tires and bought another one at Costco. They had it prefilled with nitrogen without me even asking. Said that is what they routinely use now.

Just take the extra air out of your other tires. 5 extra PSI will not make your tire explode. And being 1 PSI short is no big deal in the other tire I unfortunately have lots of experience with tire bad luck. I can hit any nail, staple or tack in the road. I have spent lots of time getting tires fixed!

 

[Squirlz]

I drive a mini countryman. Had the tires changed last week (snow > regular). And a couple of days ago the front passenger side went flat. Side was torn up. Managed to get it straight to dealership. Luckily I was less than a km away.

Of course, this means a whole new tire. $300 not cheap!

I do my usual driving around on a Saturday - lots of errands - and the "check tire" light is on again. I take a good look around and they all seem fine. Pulled out my handy digital pressure-gage and checked them all. Should be set at 32psi. Three are 37psi and the new one is 31psi.

Obviously I need to get back to the dealership. I'm actually thinking they over-inflated all four when they were switched and one happened to pop. I don't think it was a coincidence.

Can I drive on it to get it back to the dealership? Only one car and I need to drop kids at school first thing Monday or they don't have a way of getting in. But I'm wondering if maybe I need to call a tow and have it brought in first.

Thoughts?? I know NOTHING about cars!

I drive a MINI also. A difference in PSI like that will set off the TPMS. I imagine whatever happened to tear up your sidewall is why you are losing PSI. If you are paying $300 for a tire you must be getting runflats? Three things: Don't buy runflats, don't pay extra for nitrogen, and don't buy tires at a dealership. Might be advice too late though.

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts....

• 37lbs is not surprising if the tires are hot from a long trip.
• it's great you have a digital gauge. Love mine.
• I would check the owners manual. What is the recommended tire pressure? Doing a quick google... I think it should be 32lbs around.
• When you get up tomorrow... get a reading on all 4 tires when they are cold. Then deflate the high pressure tires to 32lbs.
• I would then inflate the deflated tire to make it equal. Personally, I have a high capacity floor pump in the trunk for that purpose. Then drive it back to the installer to have the tire check for air leaks (nail vs valve vs a poor rim installation). Reinflate with nitrogen if necessary. Regular air is 78% nitrogen anyways.
• you don't want to drive on the sidewalls with a low tire pressure. You risk shredding the tire when driving on the rim.
• please do not attempt inflation with WD-40!