Instant Flat Tyres

[phil t-3x]

Hello,

Is anybody aware of the 'problem' with T4 17" lowprofile wheels and tyres?

From new, YP04 ***, the car has suffered from sudden flat tyres (5 in last 12 months) When it first happened I thought it was a puncture, I changed the wheel and took flat to tyre repair outlet. They checked it and found no sign of puncture? Refitted to car. 2 weeks later the other front tyre suddenly went flat?? Changed it and took flat to another tyre outlet, Kwik-fit, and told them the story of previous flat. They checked the tyre and found no sign of any puncture. They removed the tyre from the wheel and checked the inside rim of the wheel for any damage or irregularity, and found nothing??? The tyre fitter said the only explanation was air leaking from the rim. When the air pressure in the tyre reached a low enough level and the tyre was stressed(cornering etc.) the tyre would roll off the rim giving an instant flat tyre.!!!!!

I understand alloy wheels are slightly porous and are not as good at holding their pressure as steel wheels, but it would appear my alloy wheels leak air like a sponge. If I don't blow up my tyres once a month then shortly after I have an instant flat tyre usually just after a corner. The magic Psi for the front tyres appears to be around 20lbs, after that, get ready. The rears are slightly lower as no cornering pressures come to bear, about 18lbs.

Apart from the flats the wheels and tyres are ,as reported elsewhere on this forum, very hard and noisy, the ONLY plus point is they look good.

Having spoken to my dealer in Sheffield about replacement wheels and tyres, the cost, £1000+ has put me off.

Has anyone taken this complaint to toyota with any outcome?

HI

found this on WHAT CAR web site may be of some help dated 12 dec 2006under safty and security ?

Toyota also wants to inspect 39 Avensis family cars manufactured between May and June this year. It is concerned that the tyres on cars fitted with 16-inch steel wheels could deflate. Recalled cars will have their steel wheels replaced with alloy designs.

[opo]

Hello,

Is anybody aware of the 'problem' with T4 17" lowprofile wheels and tyres?

From new, YP04 ***, the car has suffered from sudden flat tyres (5 in last 12 months) When it first happened I thought it was a puncture, I changed the wheel and took flat to tyre repair outlet. They checked it and found no sign of puncture? Refitted to car. 2 weeks later the other front tyre suddenly went flat?? Changed it and took flat to another tyre outlet, Kwik-fit, and told them the story of previous flat. They checked the tyre and found no sign of any puncture. They removed the tyre from the wheel and checked the inside rim of the wheel for any damage or irregularity, and found nothing??? The tyre fitter said the only explanation was air leaking from the rim. When the air pressure in the tyre reached a low enough level and the tyre was stressed(cornering etc.) the tyre would roll off the rim giving an instant flat tyre.!!!!!

I understand alloy wheels are slightly porous and are not as good at holding their pressure as steel wheels, but it would appear my alloy wheels leak air like a sponge. If I don't blow up my tyres once a month then shortly after I have an instant flat tyre usually just after a corner. The magic Psi for the front tyres appears to be around 20lbs, after that, get ready. The rears are slightly lower as no cornering pressures come to bear, about 18lbs.

Apart from the flats the wheels and tyres are ,as reported elsewhere on this forum, very hard and noisy, the ONLY plus point is they look good.

Having spoken to my dealer in Sheffield about replacement wheels and tyres, the cost, £1000+ has put me off.

Has anyone taken this complaint to toyota with any outcome?

HI

found this on WHAT CAR web site may be of some help dated 12 dec 2006under safty and security ?

Toyota also wants to inspect 39 Avensis family cars manufactured between May and June this year. It is concerned that the tyres on cars fitted with 16-inch steel wheels could deflate. Recalled cars will have their steel wheels replaced with alloy designs.

Hi everybody, just a quick update on the tyres problem.

Gordon L**b in Sheffield were most helpful and understanding. First they contacted Toyota to find any reported problems, and later a Toyota rep arrived and viewed the problem parts. Toyota decided it was my problem. Gordon L**b on the other hand kept trying to find the fault they kept the car for 10 days and removed the wheels and tyres. They resealed and refitted them back on the car then the service manager. Mich**l, drove the car for a week. (Whilst this was happening they lent me a Land cruiser!! very nice but a small diesel tanker is needed also!).

Part of the reason they kept the car so long was it also had a recall on the steering column. It was changed and then went slightly wrong due to the parts arriving from Toyota being faulty. This happen twice. A faulty 'yaw' sensor causing the car to feel weird whilst driving and the VSC light on all the time.

Apparently the 'yaw' sensor on the steering column checks to see if the car is going in the direction of travel i.e. forwards in a straight line. If it's not, then it applies small amounts of front wheel braking to bring the car straight. Smart eh!

Got the car back and the problem was much better, I only needed to blow the tyres up once a week.

Anyway, decided way back in January to cure the problem once and hopefully for all. A new T3X auto arrives tomorrow.

On another note, while I waited the 14 weeks for my Avensis to be made I got bored and looked elsewhere. Autobytel sell new Toyota's from Toyota dealers for £2674 cheaper!!!!! no catch.

Armed with this knowledge I negotiated a better deal from Gordon L**b.

Take note.

p.s. don't buy a car with low profile wheels and tyres.