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submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by SoyViking@hexbear.net to c/cars@hexbear.net

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Back in February we paid to get new tires on the car. One of them has been leaky for the last couple of months, something I've continually been putting in the "I'll deal with it later" pile as topping up the air once a week was easier and cheaper than dealing with it.

Now the damn tire is flat. The roadside repair guy said that the tire was soft and decayed. I'm 75% sure that a new tire is not supposed to do that so soon.

Now I'm wondering if the mechanic put on old tires or if I've been an idiot by not getting the tie fixed in time and the frequent deflation/inflation cycles has ruined the thing.

Edit: Fucking hell! The code on the tire says it's from 2007! What the fuck? The damn car went through inspection and everything with that antique on.

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[–] chickentendrils@hexbear.net 11 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Edit: Fucking hell! The code on the tire says it's from 2007! What the fuck? The damn car went through inspection and everything with that antique on.

woah, I thought it was nuts in 2022 when I got a patched one from 2009 installed at a used tire lot... lost both on one side to a pothole on the highway near JFK when picking someone up. Luckily I was early and just rolled on flats over to a used tire lot in Jamaica and got 2 replacements on for 80 bucks (tipped the guy well). Lasted about 19 months before it started leaking

I did also top up a flat every week for a year or so

[–] SoyViking@hexbear.net 9 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (2 children)

Having done some investigation it turns out that even though this silly little country has rules for everything, there's no legal limit to how old tires can be as long as they still have 1.3 mm thread and they do not look too worn out. It's different in Germany, where we were driving just a month ago, if we had been pulled over there we would not be allowed to drive any further before the tires had been changed.

So, what has happened is either:

The mechanic ripped us off (the place had a little bit shady vibes but the price was good, we had a common acquaintance introduce us and they even fixed something for free they had overlooked so the car could pass the inspection)
Some sort of mistake happened and they put old tires on the car
For whatever reason they did not replace the tires, meaning that the reputable used car dealership that sold us the car in 2021 were putting a car on the road with those death traps installed.

[–] SacredExcrement@hexbear.net 6 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

If you've got time, you can call and ask. You can always assume 'honest mistake' until proven otherwise (but ofc do be prepared for it to be a very intentional decision)

Most tires, even in the US, are expected to be replaced after a set amount of time even if the tread holds, I think 10 years or so? Major shops won't touch them with a 10 foot pole if they are past a certain age unless they are replacing the tires, and 2007 is weeeeeelllllll past what anyone would be willing to patch or look at

[–] quarrk@hexbear.net 3 points 4 months ago

I concur. Not many tire shops will risk a wrongful death lawsuit over $400. That’s how Paul Walker died.

[–] FloridaBoi@hexbear.net 4 points 4 months ago

Leaky tires may also be due to dented wheels