Just walked out to this.

"Stang70Fastback" (Stang70Fastback)
08/10/2014 at 19:52 • Filed to: None

I haven't driven the car in a few days. Looks like it was a slow leak due to a screw. Do you guys think the tire is permanently damaged from having sat like that a few days? I really don't want to have to replace the entire tire for time/cost reasons, not to mention that I'll have to shave a new tire to match the rest (AWD.) It stayed in that deformed shape when I took it off and I'm starting to wonder if it won't be permanently flat-spotted, or if the sidewall might be damaged... ugh. These tires are $130 apiece.

DISCUSSION (33)

ly2v8-Brian > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 19:56

Fill it with air. If it doesn't feel quite right then replace. Assuming a few days is maybe 4 and not 1000 days.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 19:57

Unfortunately, if I were you, I'd get a new set.

Stang70Fastback > ly2v8-Brian
08/10/2014 at 20:01

A few days is like 3 days. I suppose I'll see what a shop says tomorrow. I don't really want to pay for a patch and mounting, etc... only for the tire to have to be replaced anyway, but I suppose I may have to go that route. Or not. Who knows. Ugh, I'm pissed.

Stang70Fastback > E30Joe drives a Subaru
08/10/2014 at 20:02

The tires are only 2 years old, aren't used in winter months, and have plenty of tread left. And this is a car with almost 300k miles. I really don't want to throw money away. (These tires are $130 each.) I could always have a new one shaved to match the rest, and that would be a lot less costly. I don't want to replace it at all, but if it's damaged there isn't much I can do.

JGrabowMSt > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 20:05

I agree with ly2v8. Fill it with air and see how it sits. Worst case, get two new tires, and keep the good one as a full sized emergency tire.

Or if you can get one used tire, that wouldn't be a bad option.

I've seen much worse after a couple hours, so you should be okay, but I'm not sure I'd place any bets one way or another.

A few shops around me will patch tires for $20ish, you just need to go to the right place. I'd trust a full patch way more than a plug, personally.

ly2v8-Brian > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 20:10

Well, how old is the set as a whole? It may not be the worst thing (though the wallet is not a fan) to get a new set.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 20:22

I'm just paranoid about my scoob, and my tires are cheap too, not bad tires but they don't break the bank.

Stang70Fastback > JGrabowMSt
08/10/2014 at 20:22

Yeah, I guess I'll have it patched and see what it looks like. Then we'll have to see if it gets replaced. These tires are $130 each, but I still have some Tire Rack road hazard protection remaining (exactly 1/4 prorated) so I'd get like $38 towards a new tire and the cost of shipping, which is good.

I can't replace two. I'd have to replace all four (AWD) but then again they aren't TOO worn so tread difference might not be terrible.

Stang70Fastback > ly2v8-Brian
08/10/2014 at 20:25

They were ordered May '12, so they are only like 27 months old. And I have a set of winter tires that I use in the winter months, so they are in pretty good shape with a decent amount of tread. I've autocrossed on them exactly twice (once each year) so there's a bit of wear on the sidewalls but basically there is really no reason to replace them. Especially since they are $130 apiece.

Plus add in the just-moved-to-Chicago-for-my-first-full-time-job-and-have-no-money-right-now-as-a-result factor...

Stang70Fastback > E30Joe drives a Subaru
08/10/2014 at 20:26

Yeah. I'm paranoid too, but my tires are way too expensive to just toss on another set on a whim, lol. I do have some of my road hazard left, so I at least get like $35 towards a new replacement tire I think.

ly2v8-Brian > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 20:29

There may be a warranty coverage yet. Don't quote me on it though.

Side note, Your first full-time job? I hope you are doing what you went to school for. If so, congratulations.

RacinBob > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 20:52

I don't see the screw but if its in the tread and not the sidewall, take it to a gas station and they will put a rubber plug in it and it will be as good as new

deekster_caddy > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 20:54

should be fine. It's only driving on a flat that damages it. Any chance you are near Boston? I have my own tire machines so I don't have to see some n00b at NTB screw up my stuff.

Stang70Fastback > deekster_caddy
08/10/2014 at 21:06

Chicago :(

sellphones2493 > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 21:07

If you are anywhere in the Northeast, I know a spectacular shaver who does work for cheap.

Stang70Fastback > sellphones2493
08/10/2014 at 21:13

Chicago :(

deekster_caddy > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 21:36

damn. I would totally take care of that. Make sure it gets a proper patch or patch-plug, no plugs!

Stang70Fastback > deekster_caddy
08/10/2014 at 21:45

Thanks for the offer. Maybe I should re-post to Oppo asking who lives in the Chicago area, lol.

His Stigness > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 21:50

Having it stay flat is not going to hurt anything. If it had been driven on though that's another thing. Just take it to America's Tire though and have it fixed for free and you're good.

Stang70Fastback > His Stigness
08/10/2014 at 21:57

Free? What? Please continue...

His Stigness > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 21:58

America's Tire/Discount Tire does free flat repair, plain and simple. There's no catch or anything, just bring it in and tell them you have a nail in the tire and they'll take care of it.

Stang70Fastback > His Stigness
08/10/2014 at 22:04

Holy shit. Well okay then! Thanks!

His Stigness > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 22:11

No problem.

And just fyi on the AWD, replacing just one tire would not be the end of the world. What you really need to worry about is getting a different size to others, or even a different tire (brand and model). But having said that, I would make sure each axle has the same tread depth, if at all possible.

Stang70Fastback > His Stigness
08/10/2014 at 22:13

Hopefully they will all match because Discount Tire will fix my stuff and it will turn out to not be damaged. I shall find out tomorrow. Thank god I have Monday off this week, lol.

bhardoin > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 22:22

I've mended much worse while working in a tire shop. If they're runflats or if they've been run on while that flat, they're proably toast. Sitting like that might give them a bit of a flat spot, but I'd wager that the sidewall is still ok. Take it somewhere to be patched (not just plugged through the outside!) and make sure they know to look at the sidewall on the inside of the tire and check for damage (maybe even mark out with a bit of chalk where the tire was being sat on). Continue to keep an eye on it, and look carefully for bubbles on the inside and outside sidewalls.
The shop I've been working in fixes flats for free. But other shops will charge 20 bucks or so.

His Stigness > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 22:26

If they fix it will match, and they always repair it right, I should know, I used to work there.

Stang70Fastback > bhardoin
08/10/2014 at 22:27

Thanks for the feedback. I've been informed Discount Tire does this for free, and there's one like 12 miles away, so I'll be space-savering my way over there tomorrow, lol.

Stang70Fastback > His Stigness
08/10/2014 at 22:28

Good to know they know what they are doing!

Rainbow > Stang70Fastback
08/10/2014 at 22:58

I'd say find a cheap set of used tires to run until you can afford to replace the whole set. Or, if you happen to find an identical one with similar wear that isn't damaged, you can probably pick it up for under 20/30 bucks. Some places will even mount it for that price.

Stang70Fastback > His Stigness
08/11/2014 at 12:56

So. Discount Tire. These people are AWESOME. I just showed up, and like literally 20 minutes later I'm back on the road in my patched and balanced tire. I saw them torquing the other wheels to spec too, and they even put my spare back under the cargo tray in the trunk, all screwed down again. And they didn't haggle me at all. They were just like, "Here ya go! Bye!"

Freaking brilliant!

His Stigness > Stang70Fastback
08/11/2014 at 14:13

Told ya! That place is awesome and it's the only place I'll go for tires and the only place I'll send people. Glad the tire got fixed.

Stang70Fastback > His Stigness
08/11/2014 at 14:18

Yeah, I left them a nice review on Google, and I'll probably get my next set of tires through them too. Wish more businesses operated that way.

His Stigness > Stang70Fastback
08/11/2014 at 14:27

Yeah me too, most tire places kind of suck, which is sad.