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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KaraS on April 9, 2005, at 22:44:08
I had to get a new tire yesterday. I was on a crowded LA highway when my front left tire ripped apart and I was suddenly driving on my rim. I was very fortunate to not have been hurt at all. (I thought that the tire had a slow leak and I was going to check into it that afternoon but unfortunately it decided it couldn't wait for that.) Anyway, I found what I thought was a good place to buy one (relatively good prices, high rating by the BBB), purchased the new tire, they put it on and I drove off.
The problem is that I remember reading in my car manual and hearing from others that it isn't good to buy just one tire, that you should also replace at least the other tire in the front (or back if that's relevant). I can't afford another $140 (I couldn't afford the first $140.) I also think I remember that the last time I got a tire replaced, they rotated the tires around. They didn't do anything like that this time. Should they have? Am I doing more harm to my car in the long run by only replacing one tire and not rotating any of them - or are these things not that important and blown out of proportion by the manual and the tire sellers?
I barely have the energy to take care of myself these days, let alone worry about this kind of crap. Anyhow, any help here would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Kara
Posted by anastasia56 on April 10, 2005, at 1:04:48
In reply to Anyone know anything about tires?, posted by KaraS on April 9, 2005, at 22:44:08
rotating the tires helps them wear evenly but if you had had them rotated recently you probably wouldn't have needed them to do it again. Do you recall how long it has been?
i usually buy my tires in sets of two. undoubtedly there are purists out there that will argue that in order to balance properly all four need to start out the same. i, personally have never noticed a shorter lifespan on my twosomes.
you could shave the theory down a bit more and voila, you have a onesome theory that you should find works fine. i wouldn't worry at all unless your other three tires are so bald eagles hover around them.
ana
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 10, 2005, at 11:45:21
In reply to Anyone know anything about tires?, posted by KaraS on April 9, 2005, at 22:44:08
> I had to get a new tire yesterday. I was on a crowded LA highway when my front left tire ripped apart and I was suddenly driving on my rim. I was very fortunate to not have been hurt at all. (I thought that the tire had a slow leak and I was going to check into it that afternoon but unfortunately it decided it couldn't wait for that.)
If a tire is visibly down, its pressure could already be less than 50% of what it ought to be. Low tire pressure causes tires to over-heat, and then they disintegrate (or catch fire).
It's the flexing of the tire that causes the heat build-up. As the tire goes around, it has to drastically change its shape from the more normal appearance of the part not close to the road, to the more flattened pancake shape of the part bearing the car's weight. Excessive side wall flexing causes the rubber to separate from the steel radial bands that give it strength.....you're suddenly on the rim, as bits are flying around.
> Anyway, I found what I thought was a good place to buy one (relatively good prices, high rating by the BBB), purchased the new tire, they put it on and I drove off.
>
> The problem is that I remember reading in my car manual and hearing from others that it isn't good to buy just one tire, that you should also replace at least the other tire in the front (or back if that's relevant). I can't afford another $140 (I couldn't afford the first $140.)There are two relevant factors to consider, and both relate to how worn the new tire's partner is now.
As a tire wears, it changes diameter. It gets smaller. Maybe not noticeable so, but the difference can be measured in tread depth (remember that pi rČ relationship?). That can affect alignment, and effort required to turn the car (it will want to turn away from the bigger tire easier than the other way).
Also, traction itself might substantially differ, if the older mate is quite worn. In an emergency braking situation, that could make you spin. The effect is magnified on slippery (e.g. wet) roads.
> I also think I remember that the last time I got a tire replaced, they rotated the tires around. They didn't do anything like that this time. Should they have?
If you have to go with mismatched pairs, it should be on the rear.
> Am I doing more harm to my car in the long run by only replacing one tire and not rotating any of them - or are these things not that important and blown out of proportion by the manual and the tire sellers?
They are important, but the magnitude of the importance relies entirely on how different the two tires are.....the old one which pairs with the new one.
> I barely have the energy to take care of myself these days, let alone worry about this kind of crap. Anyhow, any help here would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> KaraI've given you the information, you need to make a decision about what you have to do (or not).
You might get a better deal on an almost new replacement tire at a wrecking yard.
I'm sorry that sh*t happens.
Lar
Posted by messadivoce on April 10, 2005, at 12:21:17
In reply to Anyone know anything about tires?, posted by KaraS on April 9, 2005, at 22:44:08
If you decide to get them rotated, I'm pretty sure that Big O tires does it for free. I don't know if you have them in your area though, but other places might offer the same service.
Posted by KaraS on April 10, 2005, at 19:53:46
In reply to Re: Anyone know anything about tires?, posted by anastasia56 on April 10, 2005, at 1:04:48
> rotating the tires helps them wear evenly but if you had had them rotated recently you probably wouldn't have needed them to do it again. Do you recall how long it has been?
>
> i usually buy my tires in sets of two. undoubtedly there are purists out there that will argue that in order to balance properly all four need to start out the same. i, personally have never noticed a shorter lifespan on my twosomes.
>
> you could shave the theory down a bit more and voila, you have a onesome theory that you should find works fine. i wouldn't worry at all unless your other three tires are so bald eagles hover around them.
>
> ana
>
>
Thanks. I may just have to get another tire and keep an older one as a spare because I'll worry about it. Bummer. I probably should have gotten two lower cost tires for the front instead of one expensive one. Oh well...K
Posted by KaraS on April 10, 2005, at 20:14:34
In reply to Re: Anyone know anything about tires? » KaraS, posted by Larry Hoover on April 10, 2005, at 11:45:21
> > I had to get a new tire yesterday. I was on a crowded LA highway when my front left tire ripped apart and I was suddenly driving on my rim. I was very fortunate to not have been hurt at all. (I thought that the tire had a slow leak and I was going to check into it that afternoon but unfortunately it decided it couldn't wait for that.)
>
> If a tire is visibly down, its pressure could already be less than 50% of what it ought to be. Low tire pressure causes tires to over-heat, and then they disintegrate (or catch fire).
>
> It's the flexing of the tire that causes the heat build-up. As the tire goes around, it has to drastically change its shape from the more normal appearance of the part not close to the road, to the more flattened pancake shape of the part bearing the car's weight. Excessive side wall flexing causes the rubber to separate from the steel radial bands that give it strength.....you're suddenly on the rim, as bits are flying around.
>
> > Anyway, I found what I thought was a good place to buy one (relatively good prices, high rating by the BBB), purchased the new tire, they put it on and I drove off.
> >
> > The problem is that I remember reading in my car manual and hearing from others that it isn't good to buy just one tire, that you should also replace at least the other tire in the front (or back if that's relevant). I can't afford another $140 (I couldn't afford the first $140.)
>
> There are two relevant factors to consider, and both relate to how worn the new tire's partner is now.
>
> As a tire wears, it changes diameter. It gets smaller. Maybe not noticeable so, but the difference can be measured in tread depth (remember that pi rČ relationship?). That can affect alignment, and effort required to turn the car (it will want to turn away from the bigger tire easier than the other way).
>
> Also, traction itself might substantially differ, if the older mate is quite worn. In an emergency braking situation, that could make you spin. The effect is magnified on slippery (e.g. wet) roads.
>
> > I also think I remember that the last time I got a tire replaced, they rotated the tires around. They didn't do anything like that this time. Should they have?
>
> If you have to go with mismatched pairs, it should be on the rear.
>
> > Am I doing more harm to my car in the long run by only replacing one tire and not rotating any of them - or are these things not that important and blown out of proportion by the manual and the tire sellers?
>
> They are important, but the magnitude of the importance relies entirely on how different the two tires are.....the old one which pairs with the new one.
>
> > I barely have the energy to take care of myself these days, let alone worry about this kind of crap. Anyhow, any help here would be appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Kara
>
> I've given you the information, you need to make a decision about what you have to do (or not).
>
> You might get a better deal on an almost new replacement tire at a wrecking yard.
>
> I'm sorry that sh*t happens.
>
> Lar
Thanks for your advice, Lar.Sh*t I just typed a response and lost it all! So here goes again:
I wish that I had had the smarts to get two less expensive tires for the front two. I probably could have done that for $140. D*mn it! Oh well, that doesn't help me now though.
I've never heard of going to a wrecking yard for tires. How would you go about finding a reputable one and how would I know if the tire were in good enough shape? It would make sense to get another one with comparable wear.
Two of my other tires are almost 5 years old and the last one is about 1 year old. I wonder if the 1 year old is good enough to be a front mate to the new one. I think I'll take the car to the place I've been going to for service and have them look at the treads and get their advice. If I have to, I'll bite the bullet and get another new one. It will probably be cost effective and safer in the long run. Cars are such a huge expense!
K
Posted by KaraS on April 10, 2005, at 20:17:59
In reply to Re: Anyone know anything about tires? » KaraS, posted by messadivoce on April 10, 2005, at 12:21:17
> If you decide to get them rotated, I'm pretty sure that Big O tires does it for free. I don't know if you have them in your area though, but other places might offer the same service.
Thanks. I've never heard of them so I don't think we have them around here. I'll either bring the car to my mechanic and have him do it or i'll bring it back to the place I bought the tire. I might even just buy another new tire for the front (gulp). Oh well, my birthday is in a couple of months. Maybe that'll help cover the cost.
Take care,
Kara
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