Tire resuscitation

[djugurba]

In a former thread I discussed a free Subaru legacy I've been given. This weekend I get to go attempt to start it (previously did some work getting it ready for that task), and with any luck at all it will run.

Question: The tires are going to have a flat spot from sitting. Will the rubber regain its shape or will I need to swap them out to drive it any distance other than to the shop? The tires were almost new- is a shame- but I'm not hopeful about saving them at this point. Any hope at all?

[kerry]

I think they should be ok with an infusion of air unless the UV light has caused them to check.

How long have they been sitting and what were they sitting on?

[Idolotor]

Are the sidewalls cracked at all?

[iwrock]

If the sidewalls or the threading have cracks in them, you should replace them.


If the sidewalls look OK, just air them up and drive on them....

[djugurba]

I attempted to inflate them with a little cheap-o 12v compressor without much luck. I'll have to limp them up the road to the service station and give it a shot. I don't think there is any visible cracking; they were indoors on concrete in a garage... with a subaru legacy wagon sitting on top of them...

Thanks for the replies!

[PaulC]

The flat spotting issue was most common in relatively rare bias-belted or bias ply tires that used nylon as a component of the carcass construction (usually for high-performance tires like those on state police cruisers).

[vwbuge]

I used to have a '66 Chyrsler Newport (heavy car) and it would sit sometimes for over a year without being moved. Never had any issues with flat spots.