What people keep running into with tires
Complaints tagged tires, each raised by more than one person. One-off posts are not included.
28 recurring problems · 458 people · 13 forums we read
Raised more than once
Most people first.
- 3Is it worth swapping tires between vehicles?Swapping tires between two vehicles lets you make use of newer tires on a truck you barely drive instead of letting them go to waste. However, differences in wheels, such as bolt patterns or center bores, can make a direct swap complicated or impossible without modifications.
- 3Do I need a wheel alignment with every tire change?Getting a wheel alignment when installing new tires protects fresh rubber from wearing out unevenly and keeps the vehicle stable on the highway. Skipping this step when buying new tires is a gamble that leads to rapid tread wear.
- 3Do I need a new tire after hitting a curb?Deciding whether sidewall or chunk damage requires an immediate replacement or can wait a week or two causes a lot of uncertainty. Drivers are left unsure if the tire is safe to drive on or if it creates an emergency.
- 3Why does my tire keep losing air even after getting fixed?Mechanics often miss slow leaks caused by hidden issues like dirt built up around the rim bead. Taking the car back multiple times without finding the root cause wastes time and leaves you stuck constantly refilling the same flat.
- 3How to tell if used car tires are worn outUsed car tires can be difficult to evaluate if you aren't sure what to look for or where the tread wear indicators are located. Without a clear way to judge tread depth, buyers risk missing safety issues and paying for unexpected replacements shortly after purchase.
- 2Should I set my tire pressure by the door sticker or the tire max?The correct tire pressure is the number listed on your car's door placard or manual, not the maximum PSI printed on the tire itself. Inflating tires to the tire wall's max rating leads to harsh rides and uneven tire wear, while following conflicting advice leaves drivers unsure of their actual recommended setting.
- 2How long can I drive on a bad wheel bearing?It is hard to predict exactly when it will fail, but you should be fine to commute as long as the noise does not suddenly get louder. People often have to continue driving on damaged wheel parts, like bent rims, because busy tire shops can force a two-week wait for repairs.
- 2Are tires with cracked sidewalls safe?Drivers finding visible cracks on older tires cannot easily tell if they are safe to use. This uncertainty causes severe anxiety for people who need to keep driving to afford a replacement but fear making a dangerous mistake.
Comes up alongside
Topics that keep appearing on the same problems — not topics with similar names.