Warning!!! All MC's w/out runflats, READ!!!
 

Sorry about the strength of the title, but I replaced my runflats with non run flat Yokohama AVS ES100's about a month ago. Today I decided to rotate them--after 3,000 miles, and in the process, I decided to check out my spare tire--since I've never even looked at it since I got my car 10 months ago.

Would you believe the spare was flat??? When was the last time you checked the spare tires air pressure? So I proceeded to fill it up and I could hear hissing. I put some soapy water on the valve stem and realized the valve stem extension was leaking air. This is that extension that allows you to check tire pressure without removing the tire from the car.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tachmentid=730

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tachmentid=731

So check yours out. I decided to unscrew this extension after filling it to 60psi just to be safe. That means I will have to remove the tire to check air pressure, but I would rather do that and know my tire hasn't gone flat because of some extra convenience. :grin:

Wouldn't be very cool to have to replace a flat tire with an even smaller flat tire! :roll:

I'll probably ask for a replacement from the dealer on my next servicing. This is an '03 July Build MC.

Richard

Thanks, Octane. I'll check my spare ASAP.

Thanks for the heads up!I just had screw in a tire,and did not have to use the spare as the leak was slow.I'm very impressed with the low air presure warning:smile:It came on just as I was getting onto the highway to commute to work,50 miles.Got out and saw that the right rear was low,not much,4-5 pounds,reset the sensor and it did not come back on. Got the tire fixed when I got into the city.Going to buy one of those air pumps that run off the lighter.But I will check the spare right away.Again thanks:wink:
:cool:

Octane guy,

Thanks. Certainly worth a look before you need to use the spare.
Now the question is, have you done the same in your "other" cars? :eek2:

Thanks for sharing...I'll get on this right away!!!!!

You're all welcome!!!

Minihune, it's true, I've never checked the spare on any car, much less cared about checking the tire pressure! Haha, I went as far as seeing how hard it would be to change my spare, when I discovered that my CD changer bracket got in the way of accessing the spare, so I had to modify that a bit. I guess it's not a bad idea to see how the tools work either.

Dropping that tire from below isn't too bad, it's getting it back up that's hard--cause you are lifting 22pounds with one hand, and trying to open the spring release with the other---obviously much easier with 2 people. After much swearing and cussing about why I couldn't get it to go back, including trying it without the tire, I realized that the tire wasn't level. When you pull it up, you MIGHT need to push the tire in with your foot before you can pull the whole assembly all the way up and lock it with the spring. :grin:

checking today!

since my spare is in one of Jerseygirls bags in the back seat floor,I guess I wn't have the same problem,but you can bet that I'll be checking the pressure from time to time thanks to your timely advice,Thanks!