how to check whether tyre is punctured or just air gone

maskabun

Hi,

I asked the same question under 'Modified Cars'. I don't know anything about car, recently I bought a used car and now planning to take driving lessions.
Today morning I saw that there is no air in one of the front tyres, how I can check that it's punctured or just air is gone? I don't know driving, so can't drive it to the mechanic shop, how can I repair this myself?
Any suggestions?

Anan1

The easiest way is to get a portable compressor or foot pump, pump up the tyre again, and see if it holds pressure.

peasant

Take the whole wheel off and have it brought to your nearest tyre place.
They'll check it for you and tell you what's wrong with it.

Saab Ed

No Air = a leak. It doesnt just evaporate. You have a puncture of some sort I'd say.

maskabun

Saab Ed wrote: »

No Air = a leak. It doesnt just evaporate. You have a puncture of some sort I'd say.

You should be right, as I didn't drive the car, it's just there in my parking for last two days and it was ok since yesterday.

Anan1

It is possible that kids let the air out, although my money's on a puncture too.

mickdw

Maybe you pressed the tyre deflator button.

maskabun

mickdw wrote: »

Maybe you pressed the tyre deflator button.

Where the tyre deflator button is located? I might have done unknowingly.

Cookie_Monster

mickdw wrote: »

Maybe you pressed the tyre deflator button.

maskabun wrote: »

Where the tyre deflator button is located? I might have done unknowingly.

:rolleyes:

Now in fairness you have already stated that you don't know much about cars and are just starting to drive but seriously... a very very basic knowledge should be required before you're allowed buy a car!

old_aussie

mickdw wrote: »

Maybe you pressed the tyre deflator button.

Your a cruel person, but you made me ROFL

There is no such thing as the tyre deflator button.

Have a look at the manual, usually in glovebox and see how to change the wheel.

Get parent or friend to drive tou and wheel to petrol station, reinflate to manufactures specs and see how it goes for 24 hrs.

If it deflates you most likely have a puncture, put a bit if spit on the inflator valve and if it bubbles it could be a faulty valve and a cheap fix.

old_aussie

beaten to the punch(by a few mins) by Cookie Monster lol

maskabun

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

:rolleyes:

Now in fairness you have already stated that you don't know much about cars and are just starting to drive but seriously... a very very basic knowledge should be required before you're allowed buy a car!

Here is the full story:
I bought the car thinking that I will take some lessons in driving instructor's car and some in my own so I get confidence driving my car. The seller drove it to my parking. I said him that the car is going to be idle for couple of weeks as it will take some time to register the car, get insured and and then book sessons. So he suggested to start the engine every day to make sure when I (or rather the driving instructor) actually want to drive I should not get difficulty in starting the car. So I was trying to start it, by doing so I might have pressed something unknowingly.

C Eng

Without wishing to be smart. I honestly think you would be better not trying to start the car each day, given your experience to date. Can you get a family member or friend/work colleage to change your wheel for you at some stage. The tyre is flat now and car not going anywhere.

GTE

Saab Ed wrote: »

No Air = a leak. It doesnt just evaporate. You have a puncture of some sort I'd say.

It doesnt evaporate, but the air valve can get sticky and let the air out.

Exact thing happened to me this week. I filled the tyre up a bit and the valve stuck ever so slightly and was totally flat within 24 hours. Got it refilled and its holding pressure now fine for the last 24.

OP, if you can put the spare on, bring the flat one to a garage to fill it up with air again and see what happens or bring it to a place that does tyres.

If there isnt a tyre place near you and you get it filled up again and pour water over each side when its lying flat on the ground and see if you can see any slight bubbles. Do that when its standing up too and do it along the part of the tyre I cant quite get a word for haha.
bubbles = punctured.

Once you figure that out if it is a puncture or not its worth buying a lil foot pump, about 5 quid and a tyre pressure gauge and have them handy in the shed.

EDIT:
Actually, if the above is too much hassle for the moment I think its a good investment to pick up a foot pump anyway so if you are out about about I know Draper hardware have one for about 5.50.

Then you can pump it up a bit and see what happens.
Be sure to put some water on the air valve after you do that. It was suggested above. if there are no bubbles from that and the tyre keeps pressure then you should be alright. If it goes down then just get it fixed when ever you can.

Raiser

Not likely really BUT - Kids sometimes let air out too.......

Someone at work once went to their local Tyre centre with a flat and was sent away because yer man said half his Estate had called in that morning, Kids had been thorough......

Phsyche

bbk wrote: »

If there isnt a tyre place near you and you get it filled up again and pour water over each side when its lying flat on the ground and see if you can see any slight bubbles. Do that when its standing up too and do it along the part of the tyre I cant quite get a word for haha.
bubbles = punctured.

Put some fairy liquid into the water. It will make the bubbles much easier to spot.