Tire pressure leakage.

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 24 Sep 2012, 11:51

I've got fairly new tires on my '95 wheels. They lose air more than I feel is normal. Problem is, I want to give this car to my son (who does not even know what a tire guage is). So, I don't trust that he will monitor the tire pressure as it should be: hence, placing him in danger. I don't want to spend the $$$ and have the wheels painted, nor do the tires need replacing.
Is there anything I can do? On my wheelbarrow, I use Slime sealant, and on my bicycle, I use a latex sealant to help 'find the leaks' and seal them. Any recommendations?

Post by **erikv11** » 24 Sep 2012, 12:03

Who installed the tires? I'd start there, a properly installed tire shouldn't leak.

Post by **rmmagow** » 24 Sep 2012, 12:29

Alloys? They'll sometimes get porous. How often do you put air into them? I'd get them checked or at least pull off the worst one and see if you can find where it's leaking with a tub of water. Give your kid a tire pressure gauge and a 12V tire inflator. If he refuses to check his tires once in a while, give him the car on blocks and let him figure it out.

loub · Post by **loub** » 24 Sep 2012, 12:51

I agree with erikv11.Also If you have a Discount tire dealer nearby they fix leaks free of charge; I even had rim leaks repaired by them on two separate occasions free of charge.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 24 Sep 2012, 13:57

Yes, Discount Tire are pretty good and they get my business so I'd head over there. Odds are pretty good they'll look for any corrosion, grind it off and apply a sealer, but it will only hold up so long and you'll have to repeat the process within half a year or so. Repairing or replacing the wheels is the long-term solution, but the most expensive.

MilehighV70XC · Post by **MilehighV70XC** » 24 Sep 2012, 14:11

Buy him a bus pass, wont have to worry about tire pressure then. If he cant use a tire gauge and is to lazy to check tire pressure, he should not be driving a car. It takes three seconds to show him how to use it. How lazy are kids these days? rant over

Don't use the slime stuff, it is bad for wheels and is only a band-aid. Fix the problem, don't cover it up. Discount tire is your best bet to find the problem, and it is free.

Post by **schmidm90** » 24 Sep 2012, 17:11

+1 on not using the slime stuff... it sucks...

My mechanic uses a little sand paper and a sealer when he replaced the tires for me last year and no problems so far! Its the little extra effort the small mom and pop shops put in that other large chains wont...

Post by **cn90** » 24 Sep 2012, 19:36

- A brand new vehicle with perfect tire/perfect rim still leaks. Believe it or not, rubber is porous so tiny amount of air is lost every month (just google it).
- If you don't trust your son with a tire gauge then he should not drive the car.
- My boys (14 years and up) know how to change spark plugs, oil change, etc.
You need to start the process early when they are still teachable...

Post by **rspi** » 24 Sep 2012, 20:31

I agree with most statements. My daughter knows how to do most things even though I do it all. She had to change 2 tires by herself before she took any of my cars anywhere.

I had a leak on one of my wheels and it was the spot where they slammed a ballancing weight in it.