Is a Tube ok in a Tubeless Tire ? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mxfrank · #16 03-24-2018, 01:36 PM

The R isn’t a speed rating. It indicates a radial tube.

leathermang · #17 03-24-2018, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxfrank

The R isn’t a speed rating. It indicates a radial tube.

THAT is exactly what I am saying. He was wrong about ' speed rating' existing...
the only rating has to do with the stem being in the right place for the tubeless Radial rims.... that kind of thing.

t walgamuth · #18 03-24-2018, 05:19 PM

yes. non radial tubes in radial tires driven at highway speeds will fail in my experience.

97 SL320 · #19 03-24-2018, 06:12 PM

Adding a tube to a tubeless tire in order to solve an unrepaired slow leak isn't recommended by the USTMA / U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association. ( was called RMA / Rubber Manufacturers Association )

https://rma.org/sites/default/files/prp_wallchart1111_0.pdf

Quote:

NEVER substitute an inner tube for a proper repair or to remedy an improper repair.

I'd also expect that adding a tube to a speed rated tubeless tire isn't recommended by tire makers if one wants to maintain full speed ratings.

t walgamuth · #20 03-24-2018, 06:26 PM

It could be a pinhole in the rim letting air out. I used to put tubes in all my hobby cars which sat over the winter because so many went flat..

leathermang · #21 03-24-2018, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Adding a tube to a tubeless tire in order to solve an unrepaired slow leak isn't recommended by the USTMA / U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association. ( was called RMA / Rubber Manufacturers Association )

https://rma.org/sites/default/files/prp_wallchart1111_0.pdf

I'd also expect that adding a tube to a speed rated tubeless tire isn't recommended by tire makers if one wants to maintain full speed ratings.

' speed rated' tubeless tire ?

they could not find any leaks... they had taken it off at least twice before... when I said ' put a tube in it'....

leathermang · #22 03-24-2018, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

It could be a pinhole in the rim letting air out. I used to put tubes in all my hobby cars which sat over the winter because so many went flat..

Agree... but they could not find it submerging it.. so I was fed up with putting air in each week...
but now I know IF I want a tube....
a Radial Tire tube of the proper size is legit....

Mxfrank · #23 03-24-2018, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

THAT is exactly what I am saying. He was wrong about ' speed rating' existing...
the only rating has to do with the stem being in the right place for the tubeless Radial rims.... that kind of thing.

It's commonly misunderstood that a "speed rated" tire is somehow a "better" tire. What raises a tire's speed rating is the ability to shed heat at higher speeds. Some of that is accomplished with construction and tread compound, but the main trick is to reduce mass. So a higher speed rated tire is almost always of lighter construction than an otherwise comparable lower speed rated tire. Adding a tube adds mass to the assembly, so I suspect that using a tube on on a high speed rated tire would invalidate the speed rating.

I usually have them apply a bead sealer when the tire has a mystery leak.

t walgamuth · #24 03-24-2018, 10:20 PM

That should work too. I agree adding a tube to a 150 mph rated tire probably would not be a good idea if you are planning to run 150. It might reduce it to an effective 135? ...just guessing.

97 SL320 · #25 03-25-2018, 08:14 AM

I've found that mystery leaks on a tire with a good bead / wheel tend to be a sign that the inner liner is leaking and allowing air to escape between the layers then out small cracks in the tread / sidewall. I'd say the air escapes only when the tire is flexing making is difficult to find the leak. This kind of leak could lead to a tread separation / blowout even with a tube.

Kind of like a roof leak, the hole is in one place but the water enters the building in another.

I've run leaky / patched tires with a tube but only if the car is strictly round town sub 40 MPH as use at higher speeds / heat could cause a failure.

leathermang · #26 03-25-2018, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxfrank

....I usually have them apply a bead sealer when the tire has a mystery leak.

When we were assuming it might be the rusted rim as a problem...I asked them about that.. instead of the ''mounting solution'' they use... He did not really answer...

Tom W. How fast do you think this old guy drives ? The tires are all Michelin ... and if I get into a group going 75 I will stay with them.. otherwise I am driving 70... my Lincoln has the best cruise control I have ever owned.... I assume you were being funny using those speeds in your comment...

97 SL320.. I suspect you are correct... I know that they used a water tank to immerse the tire to check for leaks..... several times .....which would normally find any other type of leak.

barry12345 · #27 03-25-2018, 12:07 PM

I knew they had developed tubes for radial tires many, many years ago. I was just never sure of what the difference between the two types of tubes where. .

A member mentioned that higher speed rated tires are lighter. This is good for me to learn. I always assumed high speed rated tires might have been much stiffer to hold their shape better. From the centrifical force component involved at speed.

The speeding fines, the point loss plus the increase in insurance costs if you pick up a couple of speeding tickets. Mean I seldom really speed anyways for years now.

Tires and wheel items to a degree are like oil threads. There are a lot of opinions.

dieselmania · #28 03-25-2018, 12:31 PM

Discount Tire is an example of a very successful business model. They naturally have rules, policies and guidelines to limit liability and each store is required to abide by them. For instance, they will never install a tire that is not within the OEM size range for the wheel, while other tire shops will. I wanted 285's on my Powerstroke and they wouldn't do it, but other tire stores would and I ran the 285's on 7" rims for the life of the tires (which wasn't that long, BFG Rugged terrains all came apart starting at 4 years with less than 15,000 miles).

However I really like Discount Tire, so much that i bought a set of wider OEM rims that could take a 275 tire and bought the 275's from Discount.

I have had bad experiences dealing with other tire dealers, one lifted the front of my truck by the leaf springs, another didn't use a torque wrench on my alloys and when I mentioned it the guy said "with that 350 lb impact they ain't coming off"

leathermang · #29 03-25-2018, 01:02 PM

Our Discount Tire is really well managed.....and trained.... A woman did the work the last time I was there and I was sitting where I could see what she did... they always clean the back side of the rim... she finger tightened the bolts... then used the pressure regulated air wrench in a star pattern ... then around sequencally.... then used the hand torque wrench in a star pattern..... Can't ask for much more than that....
and they were all wearing their safety glasses.... that has not always been the case.. and they were not too happy when I mentioned it to the manager a few years ago..... who was one of those keeping his safety glasses on his forehead.... LOL

t walgamuth · #30 03-25-2018, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

When we were assuming it might be the rusted rim as a problem...I asked them about that.. instead of the ''mounting solution'' they use... He did not really answer...

Tom W. How fast do you think this old guy drives ? The tires are all Michelin ... and if I get into a group going 75 I will stay with them.. otherwise I am driving 70... my Lincoln has the best cruise control I have ever owned.... I assume you were being funny using those speeds in your comment...

97 SL320.. I suspect you are correct... I know that they used a water tank to immerse the tire to check for leaks..... several times .....which would normally find any other type of leak.

I make no assumptions about how fast the old guy drives......I drive fairly quicly still.