Tire Problem! Flats All The Time!

[MatrixLady]

I'll give you some background on my beastie. It's an automatic Matrix, 2005 model. just rolled 40 thousand kilometres, (25,000 miles). Its on its second set of tires. I keep getting flat tires from it, especially in the winter. Our mechanic, who I trust implicitly, said it's oxidation from the aluminum rims. Has anybody else had this? It's not an enjoyable problem when you live through Canadian winters!

[Smar969905]

sounds to me like your rims are bad. oxidizing is just a fancy term for rusting. aluminum when it oxidizes becomes much like a powder and will very easily come away, which can leave gaps, and it sounds like this may be the case for you. my only suggestion would be to replace the rims, or if you have a service agreement you bought from the dealership, go in complaining very loudly and very much until they replace the rims.

even aluminum rims should not be crapping out on you after such a short time.

[notmytrix]

Switch to steel rims in the winter time with winter tires.

[titaniumXR]

i have 16 in steel rims fro sale 100 plus shipping, practically brand new, used for 2000 miles in florida.

[MatrixLady]

titaniumxr -- I can only imagine the shipping costs from Florida, but thanks! I also believe I have 17 inch rims. I'd have to check my specs. I lease this vehicle and am planning on selling it when in 18 months when it becomes due to payout. Leasing--bad idea! That's why I don't want to put too much more money into it -- I won't get any of it back.

[Georgenfla]

I would take those rims/tires off the car and submerge them in a water tank individually to see where the air is leaking. If its from the middle of the rim, I would head to the dealer, and say "What the F*%$@ ? This thing is under warranty!"

[toyomoho]

Most likely the bead area where the tire meets the rim has the corrosion. You will need to have the tire removed and if possible the corrosion removed to restore an airtight seal.

Contact a wheel, tire, body or wheel repair specialty shop that can inspect and repair the rims. Don’t use abrasives or corrosive cleaners on the rims; some owners state using nitrogen in place of air in tires helps reduce corrosion problems.

You might be getting road salt or corrosive snow/ice removal chemicals in the bead area.