I can't believe this is Normal, right? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

martek@wcnet.org · 09-21-2008, 03:17 PM

I got my Pure the middle of June and a couple of weeks ago the tire pressure light came on. I took it to the local Tuffy and they checked and filled the tires. They said they were just a little low, but nothing of note. They didn't charge me anything for this. Well, last week it came on again and when I got home I told my husband that they needed to be checked and I can't go to Tuffy for free everytime this gage lights up! We decided to check it the next day. As I was leaving for work we remembered and I checked the tire and it actually looked low, so I drove it down the hill to the garage and it was totally flat. We got out the instruction book and pump and used the tire repair and it pumped right up. Ok, now it is staying up and it seems fine, but I am paranoid that it is going to happen again. Is it true that once you use that kit it is no longer of any use. Can I just get a new bottle of that repair liquid? Did this ruin the tire from being filled again. Do I need a new tire? I am just frustrated due to the fact that it seems this should not happen on a new car. We have had our Wrangler for 8 years with never a flat. Anyone else experience this or can offer any useful suggestions???
thanks for any help, Mary

**jwight** · 09-21-2008, 03:22 PM

Just a personal observation, but our smart (alloy wheels) seems to lose air pressure faster/more often than our other alloy wheel cars. However, no experience with the steel wheels. You may have a slow leak from a small puncture or a bad tire valve. Worth taking to a wheel/tire place and having all four checked for leaks IMHO.

PS - as long as you didn't use the tire goop when you pumped the tire up you won't need to replace anything and can use the kit again. If you did, most auto part stored have the goop available.

martek@wcnet.org · 09-21-2008, 03:26 PM

Yes, we did use the goop, so is the tire repair kit now useless or can we use everything again once we get another bottle of the goop?? Thanks for your answer!
Mary

**jwight** · 09-21-2008, 03:34 PM

Compressor is fine, you just need a new supply of goop.

jrjones9 · 09-21-2008, 04:11 PM

I have noticed that my Smart with alloy wheels loses pressure much faster than my other cars, which also have alloy wheels. Don't know if it is due to the wheels or the Continental tires. My others have Michelin.

jrjones9 · 09-21-2008, 04:26 PM

For the record, the manual states that the tire must be replaced after being repaired with sealant. It also says don't exceed 50 MPH. I think they are just being extra cautious to avoid lawsuits, but if this is true it is a lousy tire repair kit.

SuperGeek · 09-21-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrjones9

For the record, the manual states that the tire must be replaced after being repaired with sealant. It also says don't exceed 50 MPH. I think they are just being extra cautious to avoid lawsuits, but if this is true it is a lousy tire repair kit.

It's an emergency get-me-to-a-shop repair kit, like Fix-A-Flat. The instructions on both (and Slime goop) say not to exceed about 45-50mph because the liquid will usually throw off tire balance and cause wobble. If you can get the car to a shop without using it, even better. But in the absence of a spare, sometimes a $10 bottle of goop is the only thing you have, even if it does damage tire pressure sensors and the like. The tire repair shop will be able to determine if the goop adhered in such a way to require a tire replacement. Apparently the best repair is a rope-type kit (like Nealy's), applied with plenty of muscle and patience that most people don't have. Thanks for the reminder... I'll order my Nealy's now.

Oh, and the compressor is fine... once you use it, replace the goop and the hose. I think the Smart dealer can tell you where to get it, but I've seen on TireRack.com a repair kit that looks a lot like ours and is from the same Continental company that makes the tires.

ShoshTrvls · 09-21-2008, 05:27 PM

I also have had to add air to the tires before expected, so it isn't that unusual.

As others have said, you can always use the compressor (and that way you won't have to bother Tuffy). I keep a can of fix-a-flat in the car -- easier to replace than the special Smart stuff.

WhiteNBlack08 · 09-21-2008, 05:44 PM

One other thing to check is to make sure you TPS sensors are tight. I've read elsewhere here that someone had a skow leak and it ended up being a loose sensor.

martek@wcnet.org · 09-22-2008, 06:45 AM

Thanks everyone for your answers. Just a pain in the (uknow) with such a new car! I was leery of those tiny wheels in the first place and now even more so. Ugh!!
Mary