Re Tighten your Tires

[Superflyer]

I was going to bump the old winter tires thread but did not feel like it so here is a new one.

This is kind of a public service thing, when you get your tires changed over for the seasons and they say to take them back in at 100KM or so to get them re tightened they are not just blowing smoke.

I got my tires changed last weekend and today my wife called me saying she heard a thumping in the back of the jeep. I got home and took it for a drive and I heard it as well. I took a look underneath the car to see if there was something there and did not see anything. About an hour later it struck me that I just got my tires changed and maybe that was the case. I checked and 4 out of the 5 lugnuts on the rear drivers wheel were loose enough I could turn them with my hands! I tightened them all up and low and behold the sound went away and it drove better.

It was a miracle that the wheel did not come off considering she was driving deerfoot and stoney today with the kids in the car. It looks like the one lugnut was holding it on there and that one was a bit loose as well so it may have come off tomorrow when she was driving around. So make sure to get them checked even if it just yourself doing it.

[MrMastodonFarm]

kegel exercises?

[TSXCman]

I have had loose tires multiple time. this is a very good call to bring to attention.

Also most shops will now fill up your tires to the spec. pressure on the tire (maximum allowed). Which will lead to an easy popped tire

[schteve_d]

Yep it is important. If you decide to do it yourself - USE A TORQUE WRENCH - don't just crank it on. Over-tightened lug nuts are more dangerous than under-tightened ones. The under-tightened ones will give the symptoms you describe and usually some warning that something is wrong. Over-tightened ones stretch the studs and are more likely to fail without warning (studs snap and wheel goes bye-bye).

Also Superflyer, that wheel should be pulled and the studs checked. If the wheel was wobbling around - which it was - it can easily cause damage to the studs. In fact, if it were mine I would replace them regardless of how they look.

[worth]

Originally Posted by TSXCman

Also most shops will now fill up your tires to the spec. pressure on the tire (maximum allowed). Which will lead to an easy popped tire

What is the max pressure on most normal tires? 60 PSI or so? Shops will fill to 60 PSI? That seems insane to me since I run half that.

[BlackArcher101]

Very very important PSA.

I now keep a 1/2" torque wrench in my trunk, extra paranoid after having a wheel fall off on the highway. In fact, when I get my car back from a shop and I know the wheels were off, I loosen the lugnuts and re-torque to the proper spec. I have yet to experience a shop that correctly tightens the nuts (especially not Kal-Tire) as they all seem to overtighten like a mad man. Ever see those youngins just push their entire body into the wrench when tightening? Or see them use the air gun? I've had them break numerous studs clean off before. Which is another good reason to check after.

Frankly, I don't trust shops, buy yourself a torque wrench. The maximum ones at Canuck Tire go on sale 50% off now and then.

[Buff]

Maybe Tim Thomas should be tightening tires?

[zamler]

If you use the lug wrench that came with the car, it is very difficult to over torque the lugs. It can be done, but you have to really work at it. A torque wrench is not necessary, and in some cases can be a bad idea because with rust and age, you can get a false reading and the nuts will be too loose. So if you do use a torque wrench, make sure you know what you're doing and have a "feel" for how a fastener goes on correctly.

But it never hurts to check all the lugs from time to time, a tire falling off can be literally deadly, to you or someone else, or both.

[Torture]

I keep reading the thread title as RE: Tighten your Tires.

[Bill Bumface]

I'm just going to throw out the following statement and skip any accompanying sarcastic comments:

Tires != Wheels. You can't get a loose tire.

[MoneyGuy]

SF, put on some old clothes and put the vehicle into the garage tonight just before game time. Lock the door and tell the wife you can't be disturbed (safety reasons). Get some beer. Take the beer over to a buddy's to watch the Bruins beat the Canucks; consume the beer. Return to the garage and come into the house to tell the wife something really complicated was wrong and that you fixed it to keep her safe because you love her and her safety is of prime importance. Don't forget to smear some grease on your hands, arms and clothes. Expect great sex tonight.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I'm just going to throw out the following statement and skip an accompanying sarcastic comments:

Tires != Wheels. You can't get a loose tire.

fotze's mom begs to differ.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by worth

What is the max pressure on most normal tires? 60 PSI or so? Shops will fill to 60 PSI? That seems insane to me since I run half that.

If shops fill to max automatically, those shops don't deserve to be in business.

Both cars I've had ran at about around 30-35 PSI. I think most cars out there should likely run at around those numbers.

[Ryan Coke]

I am convinced that I need a torque wrench now, so what type should I get? The basic kind that shows the bend in the bar (around $20) or the fancier kind for around $100? Is there a compelling reason to spend the extra?

[no_joke]

Take it with a grain of salt but I've heard to not bother with torque wrenches for personal use because of accuracy and calibration issues. Take into consideration: How accurate is the instrument and how accurate will it be a year from now? How do you calibrate it? Is it measuring 80 lbf.ft the same as the one at the shop? I've been told to make sure they're snug but don't take a dump when you tighten them... but be careful with what you read on the internet.

[TurnedTheCorner]

You just need that neighbor who can eyeball lugnuts and you're good. (What was that ad for, Canadian Tire? Wanted to youtube, but only Albert and the red bike come up.)

I forgot to get mine re-torqued after swapping off the winters this season, thanks for the reminder.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by no_joke

Take it with a grain of salt but I've heard to not bother with torque wrenches for personal use because of accuracy and calibration issues.

Still a hell of a lot more accurate than the ol' elbow grease. And the wrench doesn't suddenly read 50% more torque after warranty is finished. If used sparingly they are quite accurate for a period of time.

[Rob Brown]

Ive tightened so many in my time that i dont even need a torque wrench anymore.

[ericschand]

You can get a torque wrench on sale at Princess Auto.

Cheap, but might do the trick.

ers

[Nuje]

Good tip on princess auto, they're cheap and alright stuff.

I used to do a lot of work in my garage, but now I mostly use my torque wrench only to change my summer/winter tires over. The needle ones work just fine for tires. Where they fail is for other parts (like brake calipers where most are bolted in from the back, and then it's quite hard to reach your head around to read the needle). Not sure how those get out of whack.

As far as the micrometer set and click ones, two notes. If they click, it will continue to tighten, so when you feel it, stop pushing. Note 2, is that you are supposed to back off the micrometer to minimum when you're not using it, and that helps maintain its accuracy for longer. I remember to retorque, and never a problem.