# Expensive tire sidewall cracks; slow leak **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** tires\ **Created:** [July 11, 2025, 3:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962 "2025-07-11T03:46:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/181 "2025-07-29T17:24:10Z")
> [@grunes\_183031](#): > > Most modern cars and trucks do not come with a full size spare. **Just like my Venza did**. Did or did not? The owner’s manual states that your car came equipped with a compact spare tire. Air pressure in a compact spare tire is not monitored by the Tire Pressure Monitor System. A tire pressure sensor can be installed in your full-size spare but the monitor is a 4-tire system, only 4 out of 5 tires can be monitored. This means each time the tires are rotated, the identification codes for the 4 tires in use must be registered into the tire pressure monitor, the spare tire is left out of the monitor. One of the 5 tires cannot be monitored, that tire should remain in the storage area as a spare until needed. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/182 "2025-07-29T17:38:11Z")
> [@Purebred](#): > > This is not the 50&60s when 14 inch diameter rims/tire were chosen to SAVE COSTS vs 15 or 16 inch. Fixed that ^the real reason above^. If anything, the current 20 year trend toward 18, 20, and 22 inch stock & aftermarket wheels is driven by looks. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/183 "2025-07-29T17:44:32Z")
Are you indicating by your change, two ply bias ply tires were superior to four ply tires? ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/184 "2025-07-29T17:50:46Z")
> the 50&60s when 14 inch diameter rims/tire were chosen to SAVE COSTS vs 15 or 16 inch. The aspect ratio in the 1960’s was 75/78, that is the reason 14" and 15" wheels were used. A 225/75R16 has a diameter of about 29 1/2", too large for a passenger car of that era. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/186 "2025-07-29T18:02:36Z")
Then why did you change my statement that two ply tire were chosen because they were cheaper? Nevada has it right. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/187 "2025-07-29T18:19:56Z")
You said the _14" rims_ were chosen for looks. They were chosen to save _money_ vs 15 or 16. ![IMG_1584](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/5/f/5fc4e29cc3c1e15ccb12282681f160023114c3f6.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 8:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/188 "2025-07-29T20:01:29Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > My Vette came with Run-flats. Within a month after I bought the car I replaced them with NON run-flats. If I get a flat (which is extremely rare), I’ll call a tow-truck. +1 I did the same with my NX450h+, but I waited about 1 year. When I got rid of those Bridgestone Alenza run-flats, they still had 6/32 remaining, but I wanted to replace them with a set of Michelin Cross Climate-2 tires. The change yielded better wet & dry handling, much better ride quality, lower noise factor, the ability to use it as a winter-rated tire, and potentially longer tread life. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 8:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/189 "2025-07-30T20:39:02Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > Fixed that ^the real reason above You state you changed it, then try to say you did not! 14 inch rims were chosen to give the cars the appearance of being longer and lower, though the affect was limited. If cheaper, why did some cars sold as economy cars keep the 15 inch rims? ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 9:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/190 "2025-07-30T21:56:36Z")
It says it right in the Curbside Classic article link that probably got my post taken down yesterday: GM Nickeled and Dimed us to death it was titled. 14" rims were not for looks. They were cheaper than 15s or 16s. “Why did some cars sold as economy keep the 15s?” The question contains the answer - the seventh word. Nothing to do with looks. The looks rims are wheels 18inches and up in diameter, 8 to 12" wide, OE and aftermarketed widely since 2010. No practical reasons for them on grocery-getters, from my perspective. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/191 "2025-07-31T19:20:42Z")
If you are going to talk 50’s and 60’s now, that’s my era. I started driving in the early 60’s but mostly drove cars from the 50’s. 55 Chevy had 15" wheels, 57 Olds had 14" wheels. Tire aspect ratios were never listed but they were 80 or higher. The first “wide oval” tires were in the 75-78 range. Econo cars came with 12" or 13" wheels, my Borgward had 12" wheels. My mother’s Simca had 13" wheels. The only econo car that had 15" wheels that I know of was the Volkswagon Beetle. Its wheels only had three lug nuts and were very narrow. Citroen may have had 15" wheels as well but I’m not sure. I seem to remember the 2CV and 4CV models having wheels very similar to the VW wheels. BTW, I hit a lot of potholes going too fast with those 7.50 x 15’s on my Chevy and 8.55 x 14 on my Olds and never blew a tire or dented a rim. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/192 "2025-07-31T20:25:23Z")
I think my bug had four lug nuts but yeah large wheels. In the 60s plu, I think th3 standard was 14 inch wheels. I think our falcon had 13 inch. Can’t remember at all what the Lark had. The current mags and wheels are a lot heavier than I remember so let the kids do the work. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/193 "2025-07-31T21:12:39Z")
Size for size though bing, which would be heavier: a 17" alloy wheel or its equivalent in steel? ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 9:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/194 "2025-07-31T21:49:14Z")
Well the alloy are pretty heavy. No steel wheels to compare it to. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 12:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/195 "2025-08-01T12:05:17Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > which would be heavier: a 17" alloy wheel or its equivalent in steel? Back in the day, a steel wheel was less mass than the equivalent alloy wheel. That has flipped with modern alloys and designs. Not only are the modern wheels more attractive, they have so little material they are much lighter. This is less un-sprung mass so better for fuel efficiency as well. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 11:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/196 "2025-08-01T23:12:57Z")
So I guess what I’m asking is: If you could produce a wheel, in modern alloy, equivalent in size (dia/width) that would fit on my 1981 Buick, would it be heavier or lighter than the 14" steel rims that came on it? Tire size: P195-75R14. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/198 "2025-08-01T23:52:17Z")
Alloy would be lighter. Go to Tirerack and check it out. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2025, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/199 "2025-08-02T00:20:53Z")
I do believe my 81 olds diesel had 15 inch wheels. That’s why I could get 110,000 mikes on a set of tires. I have no remembrance of the weight though, but I was stronger then. Might be able to find one at a junkyard though. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2025, 1:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/200 "2025-08-02T01:36:20Z")
Size for size, that makes sense. however, I think a 19-22" alloy (all the rage since 2015) would be heavier than any steel rim or wheel that is up to 17" in diameter. Not to mention the rubber wrapped around it. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2025, 3:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/202 "2025-08-02T03:30:53Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > A 17" steel wheel is heavier than a 13" steel wheel also given all else being even. But a 17" _alloy_ wheel might weigh as much as a 13, or be only marginally heavier, vs how much heavier a 17" steel would be. Correct? And by the way “no sh…” got me suspended for two months. I guess I’m playing on a sloped deck here? ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2025, 4:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962/203 "2025-08-02T04:31:14Z")
Like my boss was told once when he said I dunno maybe I’m just paranoid. The response was bob, you’re not paranoid, people really are out to get you. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962.md?page=9) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/expensive-tire-sidewall-cracks-slow-leak/200962.md?page=11)