My full size spare tire for my Toyota Corolla deflated (Possibly spontaneously given the yellow residue surrounding the entire rim).
CLARIFICATION EDIT: I didn’t get used tires from the junkyard, I just got a used rim, the tire was mine, and I believe this tire was on the rim that was damaged and I had it moved to the junk yard rim.
Some background: I had damaged one of my rims a while back and figured I should replace it. I decided to get 2 used rims from the junk yard(without tires) with the intention of getting rid of my spare donut, replacing it with a full size spare.
Within a few months, one of the rims that I believe was from the junk yard deflated in my trunk…
I noticed this actually in 2021 and kind of forgot some details(Cant look at the work order since its in my storage unit and I’m on active duty right now) and have been negligent over the last 4 years with remedying it, so this tire has also been sitting in my trunk for 4 years deflated as well…
Anyway, apart from the lecture I should get about not fixing this sooner and driving around without a spare my question is this.
What is this yellow residue around the rim? I assume it’s some sort of paint to detect a leak, and if so, having it all around the rim does that mean it was a violent deflate?
The tire wasn’t under load since it was in my trunk, is that at all related to my issue? Am I SUPPOSED to have a donut instead of a full size for a corolla?
What are the possible causes of this, Slow leak? Poor mount install of the tire? Bad rim? Bad Tire?
Since it’s been sitting in my trunk for 4 years, does it look dry rotted?
Going forward, should I have a tire place A. Remount the same tire on the same rim, B. Replace the rim, C. Replace the tire/New tire. D. Something else.
The tire/wheel has rusty water inside, someone may have added a temporary sealant. Probably not worth the effort removing the rust and replacing the tire (that tire is more than 8 years old).
Put the compact spare tire back in the trunk, carrying around a flat tire for 4 years make no sense.
I got rid of the donut 4 years ago when I put this full size spare in my trunk thinking I was super smart for upgrading my spare. Then it deflated within a month or two.
First… Thank you for your service.
I would do what I did for my daughter’s car when she was going to law school out of state. she did not even have a donut. just a compressor and some sort of tire sealant.
I order a New full size black steel wheel and put a new tire on it. You can get one for your vehicle for about $100 and put a tire on it. It is worth it not having to worry about it when you get a flat in the middle of nowhere. Just make sure you have a jack and lug wrench.
It shouldn’t be difficult to find another compact spare tire/wheel in an auto salvage yard, one that has never been used and isn’t bent all the way around like that spare wheel.
I’ve got a couple of cars where I replaced the emergency donut with a full sized spare.
If the thing didn’t hold air for long, then you take it back to whomever mounted and balanced it and have them make it right. But you still have to check them regularly. Nothing holds all of its pressure forever, including the donuts, which also need to be checked.
I agree that the yellow/orange stuff looks like rust from moisture in the wheel/tire.
Makes sense, yeah I kinda dropped the ball on this by not holding them responsible but basically had some relationship issues around that time and kinda just didn’t want to deal with it…but yeah currently been making regular 1200 mile round trips every few weeks and want a spare.
I guess for right now I will just amazon a brand new rim and get a new tire placed on it for peace of mind, instead of what I did which was basically junk yard rim + my used tire
