Blew a tyre

[Roodosutaa]

Yep - had the car for a week and I've already got a flat tyre.

Drove over something this morning in traffic - ka-thump, had no idea what that was and before I knew it steering pulls left, funny noise etc, pulled over in an alley pronto - yep, there it was (mmm that tyre pressure warning thing didnt work!)

Changed it out, noting what was said on this forum about storing away the jack back into the tool box and still took a few tries. There's a small gash on the tyre - looks like it's beyond salvage.

Rang around for a few quotes, my goodness it's expensive at $280 a pop. Seeing as the car has a full size spare with alloy I might just something cheap seeing as I probably won't go back to these Conti's again - have had Bridgestone Adrenalins on the old MX5 before and they were excellent, fantastic price too if you get them off Bridgestone shops. How long do the Conti's last?

Since all I need is one spare tyre, should I just get a dodgy Nankang or something dirt cheap?

The other thing I'm worried about is warping the rim - from looking at it it seems ok, any better ways I can checked whether its bent?

[VW GTI]

Read through this thread... http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=14613

Unlucky on the pop, my low pressure thing works

[gareth_oau]

I ran over a screwdriver once. didnt see it, just a small hole in the tyre, until the tyre was taken off the rim, and a 30cm long screwdriver was found inside.

Most tyre retailers these days offer tyre insurance, at around $7 per tyre when you buy new tyres.

My replacement cost me nil, so consider insurance for piece of mind, and then yr not stuck with considering one odd tyre.

[PetePoloGTI]

My front Drivers tyre looks like it has a small bubble coming out from the wall (right where the tread meets the side) I have been driving on it for at least 4 months - does anyone know what it could be?? Is it an issue??

I got a puncture a couple of months ago too, so I don't even have a working spare.... keep forgetting to get a new one...

[Roodosutaa]

Got a Kumho Ecsta from Tempe tyres for $120 at lunch for use as spare

Cheap for a tyre that size, sure. But expensive for something I'm not likely to be using for (hopefully) a long while

[FL00DY]

Yep - had the car for a week and I've already got a flat tyre.

Drove over something this morning in traffic - ka-thump, had no idea what that was and before I knew it steering pulls left, funny noise etc, pulled over in an alley pronto - yep, there it was (mmm that tyre pressure warning thing didnt work!)

The tyre pressure monitor works very well actually. It only works with a gradual decrease in pressur, like a screw or nail. Why do you need a light to tell you you've got a gash in the side of your tyre? You'll feel it in the steering.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=4620

[Roodosutaa]

Not that I need a light on the dash to tell me my tyre's gone completely flat, but you'd think a drastic change from full pressure to nothing in a matter of seconds would trigger the sensor

[PeterHBne]

I feel your pain - I had more punctures with my Conts in 30,000kms than I've had in 16 years of driving.

If you are going to change your tyres at some stage, buy a spare the same as what you intend to change to.

Then when you upgrade, just buy 3 tyres and keep a worn Cont as the spare.

And yes, the tyre pressure warning light works very well on slow or fastish leaks.

[Roodosutaa]

I feel your pain - I had more punctures with my Conts in 30,000kms than I've had in 16 years of driving.

If you are going to change your tyres at some stage, buy a spare the same as what you intend to change to.

Then when you upgrade, just buy 3 tyres and keep a worn Cont as the spare.

I did consider that yesterday and even went as far as getting a quote for the Bridgestone Adrenalins which I've been very happy with price vs performance wise (cost only $117 for the 195/50/15s I bought last time and handled great in the wet in an MX5, quiet too) - price was $197 for the 205/45/16 which is still pretty reasonable for the quality. But decided to get the cheapo Kumho Ecsta as I didn't want to be running a 2.5-3 year old tyre come replacement time as the car is still has 4 brand new tyres.