More Tire questions

[mycale]

I know yesterday I hit something odd pulling into the bottle shop here in Esquimalt, but I didn't realize that it would cause a flat. Now I have a flat right front tire. As I am totally new (I did manage to change out my battery on my own), I wonder how hard/easy it is to change out the tire. Mardy mentioned to me when I purchased the Van back in Aug, that the tires were at around 65% give or take...should I just get a whole new set thrown on? any advice?

[jessef]

Changing a tire on a Delica is THE SAME as changing a tire on any car or truck.

Jack up vehicle
Place jackstand under vehicle
undo lug nuts
remove tire
put on new tire
repeat 1-3

Depends on what tires you need or want.

Decent tires range from 400-1200 for a set of four installed.

[mycale]

ahh thanks for that, I had a couple ppl offer on FB to help me change the tire (I have never changed a tire on anything ) so i should manage it....now to research a good tire...may as well get a new set now

[Green1]

depends what the problem is... I find for simple screw/nail punctures the best bet is to skip changing the tire, and just patch it instead. radial tire patch kits are only about $5 at any auto parts store, patch 3-5 punctures (extra patches are $1 for 3) and I've never had one of the patches fail. (you also obviously need a compressor or foot pump to fill the tire afterwards, but I recommend everyone carry one of those anyway)
Not only that, it takes less time and effort than putting your spare tire on, doesn't require any follow-up with the old tire, or screw up your tire rotation sequence...

Now if it's something more than that, like a tire gash, full on blow-out, or such, you'll need to use your spare, and then get the tire replaced... thing is, you really can't replace 1 tire on a 4wd vehicle, you pretty much need to replace all 4 at once.

[mycale]

well I managed to get to the point where I was going to remove the tire...OMG i actually managed to do it all on my own!! and there are the 5 normal lugnuts, and one that i have no tool for...it isn't shaped like the other, it has 5 rounded edges that are set back from the tip of the nut itself...what the heck is the deal on that? I couldn't change out my tire because of it. Going to research it and see what's up...any advice?

[dfnder]

Thats an anti-theft nut, maybe the wrench is in your toolkit or glove box? Otherwise it may be difficult to remove :(

[mycale]

DISREGARD I am a nub, of course the locking lugnut adapter was in my glovebox!

had I not asked I would have been in the dark...there is no such thing as a dumb question~ haha cheers for the help

[Blackberry]

Mardy mentioned to me when I purchased the Van back in Aug, that the tires were at around 65% give or take...should I just get a whole new set thrown on?

Sorry, off topic: Are the tires on your van stamped "DOT" and/or do they show load rating info? Usually importers put new tires on because they have to have DOT-stamped tires on the vehicle in order for it to pass inspection. Assuming you purchased from Mardy and he imported your van and had it registered, then I'm also assuming he must've put used tires on it to pass inspection. Or am I missing something...?

[jessef]

Assuming you purchased from Mardy and he imported your van and had it registered, then I'm also assuming he must've put used tires on it to pass inspection. Or am I missing something...?

Your assumption is correct.

The last five vehicles I've imported came with either DOT or load ratings on them. After asking around other importers, it seems many vehicles are coming over with the correct labels on them.

To the original poster :

Just take the tire to a tire shop like Kal Tire or Fountain Tire and they will tell you whether or not it's repairable. If it's not, then you'll probably be looking at a set of four unless they can find an identical one with the same amount of tread depth.

Tires are very important on L400's as there is an AWD (All-wheel-drive) 4H mode that senses traction/slip between the front and rear wheels, similar to the VW Syncro, Audi Quattro, Subaru AWD systems.

All four tires have to be the same diameter for the AWD system to work properly, otherwise your risk damaging the viscous coupler inside the transfer case.

This mode is not available on L300's, so those guys can disregard that warning.

[mycale]

ahhh i see. I will take a look tomorrow on what is stamped on my tires. Someone mentioned to me that having the proper sized replacement the other day but didn't explain exactly why, now I know Hopefully time permits tomorrow and I can get the tire looked at and hopefully I don't need to get a new set. thanks again!

[Spearo]

Some will surely disagree with this, however I'll mention it based on my OWN experiences over the last 15 years or so, not hearsay ie: what someone else said is wrong with this or that (lots of that on the intardnet).... buy a plug kit and a 20$ compressor from Cambodian Tire, don't take the wheel/tire off the van, pump up the tire to locate the hole (if you can't see the nail/puncture right away then use soapy water or spit to look for bubbles), pull out any nail/screw/glass, use the rasp in the plug kit, plug the hole, cut off the spare plug hanging out of the tire, and drive away.
I have never had a plug fail. In 15 years I have never taken a tire off to have a flat repaired. I carry a spare in every vehicle but have never used one unless it was in rotation on my 4x4's.
When I was kid I worked at a gas station and we plugged tires all the time. At that time, "they" said that you couldn't plug a radial, only patches were safe etc etc. We never had anyone come back with a failed plug or trying to sue the owner.
Even plugged hi-speed tires on my sportbikes and never had a problem ("They" say that that is a big no-no and that tires should be patched or better yet replaced).
In my big plastic emergency box in my vehicle there is always a compressor and plug kit, and it has saved me a lot of stress as well as money. If a plug ever did fail me, which I find unlikely, I have another one.

Cheers and have a great day,
Erik

[Green1]

plugs are definitely the way to go. much easier than changing a tire, and i too have never had one fail. (and really, if it did fail, the worst case is that you're right back where you started!)

As for the "you can't patch a radial" it actually depends, the plugs I bought are marked as being specifically for radials, don't know what the difference is, but it seems they make both types, for safety, and being that there doesn't appear to be any price difference, I'd buy the ones marked radial...

I too carry a spare, but it's more for a full blow-out, or a sidewall gash that I have it, nail and screw holes (the most common types of punctures) are much easier to deal with with the plugs

[mycale]

Went to KalTire out in Langferd and found out some wank slashed my tire! good lord I thought, how often does this happen? Meh, priced some replacements at Canadian Tire, some Dunlop P256/110s. They look ok but I am gonna shop around a bit, as my spare is working just fine so long as i don't go into AWD. Any shopping suggestions here on the lower island?

[jessef]

You went to the right place.

I'd buy from Kal Tire. They are good guys and have a kickass warranty .

[Island Hopper]

Mardy put new tires on my 400 when I bought from him earlier this year.

He put on Yokohama Geolander A/T-S, LT235/75R/104/101S 6PR.

I'm pretty happy with the tires and I have had some good comments made about the set.

I might be in the Esquimalt area tonight so I can show you the set if I drive by your place.