Flat tyre

[asteroid99]

Hello. This is probably a very silly question but how can you tell if a flat tyre just needs air or if it should be replaced? I noticed yesterday that my car was pulling to the left slightly, but when I checked all the tyres seemed to be ok. However this morning the front left-hand tyre is definitely flat. What should I do next?

[andy hughes]

Pump up the tyre to the correct pressure, and check the surface for wear and tear. Then, after a couple of days, check the pressure again. If it has dropped, you have a puncture. Any repair garage will advise you if it can be repaired, or needs to be replaced.

[KebabMeister]

A good garage/tyre fitting place will have a huge bath to put the wheel in and see where the leak is coming from. If it's an alloy wheel it might be leaking around the rim and the alloy would need cleaning. Alternatively it could be an actual puncture in the tyre and if it is within the centre 3/4 of the tyre it can be repaired without the need for a new tyre.

I used to hate checking for punctures in winter... the water was often frozen!! ;)

[ianess]

I admit to being very impressed with my local QF depot...you know the advert "you can't get better etc".
They've checked out and repaired FREE of charge my last 2 punctures. Give them a try...it only takes minutes if you time it right.

[Hermia]

I had a problem with a tyre that keep deflating, but looked in perfect nick. It turned out that the valve was damaged and I just got a new one fitted at KwikFit.

[Jackson74]

Check what hermia said. My tyre kept going down very slightly uyp to a certain point. The minute I put a cap on the valve....prob solved.

[waimarie]

I would go along with 'ianess'. I too have had excellent service FREE from QF which I have to admit took me by surprise. Waiting for them to open in the morning seems to be a pretty good time to catch them in the mood.

[KebabMeister]

I am very surprised that QF repaired a puncture for free which is fantastic service! Punctures take quite a long time to do and take much longer than fitting 4 normal tyres.