Buying a new tire for flat one

[stinkynuts]

I had a nail cause a flat. The shop said they won't fix it because it's on the sidewall.

A new tire (just one) is $270.

1)Is there any way to get it patched?

2)Why do I need a brand new tire. Can't they just insert a new tube inside, since the tread outside is brand new?

 

[saxman]

1 - You can't repair a tire with a puncture in the sidewall. It is the "hi-flex" area of the tire and the patch won't hold.

2 - Tubes are old technology and most new rims aren't designed for them. You may be able to find a used tire

 

[S.C. Joe]

I think only drag racers still use tubes.

It could work but I don't think you find anybody who makes tubes that size. They don't patch sidewalls cause when the tires hit rough spots the sidewall flexes and no patch will stay on for a long time.

$270 is high for one tire, must be one of those 18 or larger tires.

But good tires are one thing i don't like to skimp on. I would bite it and buy a new tire. How much is the car/truck worth, isn't it worth it?

 

[oldjones]

Tires have been tubeless for a good many decades. I am sure, if it was the last tire on earth someone would figure out how to patch it. Perhaps you might even do it as simply as taking a bike tire patch kit and cementing the patch on the inside, over the hole. If you were equipped and able to get the tire off and then back onto the rim. And had a good spare you were willing and ready to change if and when the patch failed on the road.

But asking a commercial shop to do that would raise liability and license issues for them which they already addressed when you were told they won't fix a sidewall puncture. I assume that sidewalls aren't thick enough to secure the plugs which are what is used to repair tubeless tires.

Look for someone sleazier, or DIY, which would include spec'ing the correct innertube size and boring the appropriate filler hole if you go with the idea of a tube in the current tire.

But full marks for creative thinking there.

 

[stinkynuts]

It's 18", 5 year old car. Worth pbly $12K.

 

[S.C. Joe]

Really should get all 4 new tires--really. Its too bad the government doesn't help pay for some of the costs--for the name of safety. I bet you anything new tires would hold and brake better in the rain then the 5 year old tires you have now.

But you live in ON, you can't go fishtailing around the block, lol

I would first thing Monday is get on the phone and look for one or two good used tires. A few folks are still like me, once a tire is so old and half worn out, they start thinking of getting a new set. Maybe even the internet..Ebay but then customs but maybe you find a place locally.

 

[Boss Nass]

I've had that happen, and was advised a couple of times that I could get a tube put in, just like them thar old fashioned things yer daddy drove, and roll on happily. Decided against it, but don't see why it wouldn't work as long as it's just a small puncture and not a slash. But $270 for ONE tire? WTF? What are you driving man, a friggin' semi?

 

[S.C. Joe]

Tirerack prices suck and they won't even talk about cutting their prices. I was a tirerack customer, called them up last spring and told them Online Tires has the same tire $40 cheaper, sales guy goes that is a good deal, buy from them...I did.

Online Tires, shipping is more cause they are on the west coast but their prices are much better.

Well the taxpayers pay for the roads, even if you don't drive. If safety could be improved would it not be worth it? It have to help if no cars had old tires...I know then you get in to why not help pay for a new car.

Why it is how it is

 

[doggystyle99]

I had a nail cause a flat. The shop said they won't fix it because it's on the sidewall.

A new tire (just one) is $270.

1)Is there any way to get it patched?

2)Why do I need a brand new tire. Can't they just insert a new tube inside, since the tread outside is brand new?

Can't fix anything in the tirewall.
Try calling consumers tire they have a couple of locations. I always find their prices to be very cheap compared to other places.

 

[WoodPeckr]

We are being Hosed BIGTIME on tires

Seriously, a sidewall puncture is not safely repairable. Period.

Exactly!
They are designed that way, not repairable!
This way you are forced to buy an expensive new tire!....

Bigger tires are one of the latest biggest ripoff schemes foisted on consumers today. We are at the mercy of car manufacturers and tire makers here. Consumers Reports even blasted car makers recently for going needlessly to larger tire sizes costing double and triple what standard 13", 14" and 15" tires used to cost in the past.

 

[shakenbake]

Exactly!
They are designed that way, not repairable!
This way you are forced to buy an expensive new tire!....

Bigger tires are one of the latest biggest ripoff schemes foisted on consumers today. We are at the mercy of car manufacturers and tire makers here. Consumers Reports even blasted car makers recently for going needlessly to larger tire sizes costing double and triple what standard 13", 14" and 15" tires used to cost in the past.

Sorry to disagree with you Woody. Technically speaking, smaller wheel diameters have higher rolling resistances. The aspect ratio of a tire will also influence the handling characteristics of the tire/wheel. Although it may seem that it could be a conspiracy to make us pay more, it has technical justification to use bigger wheels, and lower aspect ratios.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Sorry to disagree with you Woody. Technically speaking, smaller wheel diameters have higher rolling resistances. The aspect ratio of a tire will also influence the handling characteristics of the tire/wheel. Although it may seem that it could be a conspiracy to make us pay more, it has technical justification to use bigger wheels, and lower aspect ratios.

Sorry to disagree with you shakenbake but that is merely industry rationalizations for ripping us off. I base that on driving since the very early 60s and working in the rubber/tire industry in the past while working on various rubber compounds. We had synthetic rubber compounds back in the 70s where any vehicle tire WOULD LAST 100,000 miles. Dupont also came up with neoprene an extremely versatile and sturdy synthetic rubber. If they were produced you would never buy a tire on your vehicle unless you damaged it or until you reached 100,000 miles! Guess what? The formula was locked away never to see the light of day.

In the 80s I had NO problems buying 13" tires with a 70,000 mile warranty! Same for 14" and 15" tires. Same in the late 90s when I bought a set of 4 Generals, 13" tires for $60 plus tax USD with a 60,000 mile warranty! Today vehicles are coming stock with 17", 18", 19" and bigger tires with crappy soft rubber compounds that wear out in <30,000 miles!

All these 'technical justifications', better fuel economy, etc., touted by car and tire makers are basically BS obfuscations to fleece the public.

 

[poorboy]

Some Marketing is behind big tires

You can't use an inner tube in a radial tire because the ribs inside the tire will produce hot spots against the inner tube which will lead to a blowout.

Drag racers are able to use inner tubes because the tires are smooth inside, bias ply and only travel a quarter mile for 12 seconds or less, not on 4 hour trips.

A lot of cars are equipped with big tires just for looks to fill out the wheel wells. 17 inch rims on a Crown Victoria isn't too out of proportion, but 18 inch rims on a Honda Civic is not necessary. The extra grip and steering response over a 16 inch tire would be incremental.

 

[KBear]

The sidewall on a tire is thin and flexes, a small cut or hole in the sidewall is a stress concentration point that can turn into a tear in an instant, like a balloon busting it will explode and rip apart. Cant be fixed.

 

[wet_suit_one]

Sorry to disagree with you shakenbake but that is merely industry rationalizations for ripping us off. I base that on driving since the very early 60s and working in the rubber/tire industry in the past while working on various rubber compounds. We had synthetic rubber compounds back in the 70s where any vehicle tire WOULD LAST 100,000 miles. Dupont also came up with neoprene an extremely versatile and sturdy synthetic rubber. If they were produced you would never buy a tire on your vehicle unless you damaged it or until you reached 100,000 miles! Guess what? The formula was locked away never to see the light of day.

In the 80s I had NO problems buying 13" tires with a 70,000 mile warranty! Same for 14" and 15" tires. Same in the late 90s when I bought a set of 4 Generals, 13" tires for $60 plus tax USD with a 60,000 mile warranty! Today vehicles are coming stock with 17", 18", 19" and bigger tires with crappy soft rubber compounds that wear out in <30,000 miles!

All these 'technical justifications', better fuel economy, etc., touted by car and tire makers are basically BS obfuscations to fleece the public.

It's called business. Why are you surprised?

 

[WoodPeckr]

It's called business. Why are you surprised?

Not surprised. Just showing how we are going backwards and getting raped to boot...:Eek:

 

[papasmerf]

Exactly!
They are designed that way, not repairable!
This way you are forced to buy an expensive new tire!....

Bigger tires are one of the latest biggest ripoff schemes foisted on consumers today. We are at the mercy of car manufacturers and tire makers here. Consumers Reports even blasted car makers recently for going needlessly to larger tire sizes costing double and triple what standard 13", 14" and 15" tires used to cost in the past.

Woody it is all about supporting the unions

 

[Tazz69]

The same thing happened to me on Friday. Can Tire quoted $300 for one tire. I just got a quote from Car Kraze in Brampton for $135. Mine's 18" too

 

[danmand]

I did not think you were allowed to replace only one tire.

 

[anon1]

I did not think you were allowed to replace only one tire.

You can if they are similar in size and construction.
It's ghetto but legal.