My tires are 3 years old with probably 40K miles on them and they are on stock aluminum wheels. Initially only front passenger leaked a bit, than more and more, and now I have to inflate twice a week plus the rest of tires are leaking and I have to inflate them once a week. What's the best course of action, considering that there is about 30% of tread remaining and I want better tires anyway?

1. Get new tires and put them on new steel rims?
2. Get new tires and get the al rims cleaned up nicely?
3. Put the old tires on the new steel rims?
4. Something else?

 

Number 2...

 

Your stock wheels are probably better than steelies. Plus, new steelies are kind of a ripoff at tire stores. The receipt for the ones that came with my car (snow tires) were almost $200. Used ones are going to be even uglier and likely damaged.

So, of the options you listed, I vote for No. 2.

It sounds like you don't have much money to spend. If you still have 30 percent on your tires, take them to a tire shop and see if they can find any small leaks and repair them. If you bought the tires new or have the receipt, most tire shops fix flats and leaks for free.

In the meantime, save up for some wheels and tires you like. Sometimes you can find good deals on craigslist, too, but check them over carefully for damage.

 

Well why dont we make it number two all the way around eh

 

Maybe you could try to reseat them.. See if that helps

 

Also check the valves in the valve stems. There's a small tool, that looks like a thin rod with a slot in the top of it that fits into the valve stem and tightens the valves (they screw in). Perhaps there is dirt in the valves (if you don't keep the caps on them) or they are loose and leaking. Put a little mechanics lubricant in them (spit) and see if they bubble.

 

Common problem for alloy wheels. Just have a tire guy remove the tire, sand off the pitting and crap near the lip of the rim where the tires seal, apply black sealant, and voila.

 

id go with option 2.

In ny i know a place that can get really good(99.9%) Execllent USED Tires for 25 dollars. Ive bought from them about a year ago, and the tire is still going. When i saw them at first i honest thought it was new brand!

 

Thats what I use to do, but they just don't work as well as a set of 4 identical tires. And you won't get 4 of the same ones used.. One will be snow, the other will be all season, the other will be performance, etc. And all different companies and tread wears.

 

the place i go to, u can get the same brand threads etc etc if you are buying 4 at the same time. but if u go back sometime afterward and want to change just 1, its most likely it will be different brand and thread

they also sell new tires for hmmm 50-75 dollars

 

u can also just buy a used tire for about $20

 

Hmm, maybe my place does the whole 4 used tire thing too. I never needed all 4 at once. Just for future referance, www.tirerack.com has new tires cheaper then 50-75. Got my brand new Kumhos for 30 bucks a pop on my old car, with good customer ratings

 

wow ty for the site. they got brand name...in ny those tires cause like 20% more!!

 

I considered all those options that you have mentioned and am leaning towards #2.
The tires themselves are not leaking, it's the pitting of the rims. The valves are fine too and I keep them capped.
It is very hard to find good used tires around here, unlike in 2000-2003 when I could get used ones with 90% of the tread for 35 bucks Canadian a piece, exactly like you said - $20 US back then.
She wore almost brand new Bridgestones when I bought her, then almost new Dunlops and finally the Blizaak, but then my luck expired and I could not find any good used tires in the city.
The steelies are kind of pricy, about $35 a piece at Costco. So if I went for all new Michelin Energy on new steel rims, it would ring me $600 plus tax. That kind of money I can spend. How good are Costco steelies?
I am not sure if the tire shops will be willing to clean up my stock rims, they are strangely reluctant to anything other than straight install and balancing (or not strangely?)

 

ive seen a few ebayers selling stock maxima rims. Some are in really good shape also.

Mine is about 80% ok, ive got the stock 94 gxe rims. I was consideing buying new rims for my car, but id rather spend 800us on my engine and get some soap and water and hand clean my stocks.

 

number 2 is your best option, just replace the valve stem at the same time.

 

So it's unanimous..Go do a number 2....

 

oh crap

 

You can take a big dump while you're at it, but try Cheap Thrills in Milton for used tires.

 

.

 

The bastards at Costco refused to install a T rated Michelin Xradial on a Maxima. They would only sell me MX4, which I told them to shove.

 

They can't it's a liability issue
if you install a tire on the car that is lower than the OE speed rating and something happens because of that tire you (as the installer) are liable.

 

Liability Issue? How about going to Tire Kingdom for 2 new 205/65/15's up front and accidentally putting on a 205/55/15 on my power tire. And all this time I was thinking it was a bad alignment job! Took it back up there and wanted $80 to pay for and put on the new TIRE!....!...



Seriously some of these places are rediculous...
________
VAPORIZER FOR SALE
________
Aa

 

just ask for the number to the corporate office so your lawyer can contact them.

 

This should not be legal, as there is no road in Canada, that allows more than 65 mph (or how much is 100 km/h in miles?)

 

100 kph = 62.1371192 mph
________
Body science

 

and what about on the racetrack?

 

You are kidding, right? Who's going to use Michelin xradial on a track?

 

shoot I'll use Wally World Douglas tires at the track...

ahem, but the only tracks around here happen to be dirt
________
DORAVILLE ASSEMBLY

 

rice boy, and his rich litigious parents.

 

Oh, I forgot of those!

 

So have you fixed your rim situation yet? I go to Mega-City sometimes in Georgetown (I just need to wear my white hat when I get into the town ), and the often have Maximas that look like they were just driven in. Just jack one of them up and grab a rim or two (with the tires).

 

Getting them fixed. I tested this on one tire first, so far so good (for one week not loosing any PSIs). They wire brushed the rim surface and remounted the tire with a new valve. Getting three more fixed today.

 

Some tire stores in the US, will let customers buy tires that are one speed rating lower than stock, some make you sign a waiver. I had goodyear regatta 2 tires on my 94gxe, i think those were T speed rated. How many snow tires are VR or ZR or even HR rated? Anyway, buy 4 new tires. p205/65r15 is really the best value in tires, especially since they aren't for 1500 pound Geo Metros. then again, if new valves seem to work, give that a try.

 

With nightime temps in the 20's & daytime temps in the 60's I have been adding air to all of my tires at least once a week!

 

Knock on wood, all four are nice and tight now. Wire brush removed all white crap from oxidizing Al and they are holding w/o leaking any air.

 

There is a bigger problem now: one of the rims (probably front passenger) is bent. All tires were perfectly balanced, but there is quite a bit of vibration at 100 and 120 km/h and when she is coasting slowly she's bouncing.

 

you sure the rim is bent?
mine shook, but that was because 1 tire had a busted thread .
haven't driven it since we replaced the tire.

 

The tires look perfect, I dunno... She's bouncing like a boat at 10 mph, from side to side.

Edit: I am tired with this ****, so I bought a set of Kumho Solus KH16, installing them tomorrow.