the other night i was driving through a shopping center i had never been at before when i midjudged the length of a curb and pretty much turned right into it. my bumper and skirt are fine as the wheel was the first to hit and i was able to turn away before any more damage was done. i got out to find air leaking from my tire which was flat in about 30 seconds.

now, my question is - is my rim bent or is it possible for air to leak out without the rim bending? the rim doesn't look bent and i couldn't have been going more than 5-7 mph when i hit it.

 

might have pinched the tire. where was the leak?

 

between the lip of the rim and the tire.

btw, who gives their lovely drivers a cream colored spare?! damn you scion lol

 

lmao i know right!

you proably pinched a tube er something

 

^ WTH 'tube' are you talking about?

Sounds like the sidewall got cut at the bead when it was mashed between the curb and wheel lip. Lucky you didn't bend the rim, but the tire can't be fixed.

 

^ yeah, you're right.

just got back from a tire shop. the sidewall is punctured. ____ sucks.

so i'm thinking of replacing the front tires with Fuzion HRi's or Kumho AST's. i have ecsta 711s in the rear with maybe like 60% tread. it should be ok right?

 

^ Yep, that should be ok.

 

....so it sticks out. The more noticeable and embarrassing it is, the less likely that you will drive with it for months. It is an “emergency” spare tire, not a long term replacement.

Speaking of “donuts”, you did put it on the rear and swap a rear tire to the front… correct?

 

hahaha oh jeez

 

a tube is know as a tire around my parts. hah

 

i guess you're right. i wouldn't want it on there longer term even if it were black or something more subtle.

as for the swap, i didn't. i wasn't aware that was necessary.

 

For future reference, never ever put a “donut” spare on the front wheels. The front wheels are responsible for steering and braking. (as well as acceleration on FWD cars) Replacing one of these wheels with a “donut” will result to a dangerous situation.

 

^ thanks.