Rims and Potholes?

Question

I have rims on my pontiac grand am and I live in a city with a lot of potholes. I've had to get my tires replaced like 5 times in the past year due to them just popping.. is there any way to make my tires a little stronger so they don't pop so much? Someone told me to put that fix a flat stuff in it even if it's not flat to make it stronger.

Answer 1

I suspect you got rims that are larger than your stock wheels were and have low profile tires on them as well (that's how it usually works). With the decrease in amount of rubber and increase in wheel size and weight, comes more forces.

I do not recommend using fix a flat spray to strengthen a wheel. That stuff is only designed to work long enough for you to replace a damaged tire. Over inflating a tire might seem like a good idea too, but I wouldn't suggest that either. It might actually increase the likelihood that they pop with the increased pressure.

My best suggestion is to drive slower and watch out for potholes. I have rims aswell and have to drive very cautiously around town. I've been ok so far, but my car is a Civic and light weight compared to a Grand Am. It might be worth trying another tire company. Not all tires are the same!

Answer 2

Get tires/wheels with taller sidewalls. The reason you keep popping tires is the sidewall on a tire made for oversize rims cannot give any cushioning to help with the impact. Either that, or learn to miss the potholes.

Also, why don't you get involved in the community and complain to your local government officials? They are there to serve the people, and they realize, that if they don't make the people happy, those people won't vote for them the next time around.

Answer 3

fix a flat actually weakens the inner wall of your tire and can cause further issues. You may want to check ur suspension, and maybe even let a little air out of your tires...makes them less bouncy, but they'll absorb the shock a lot better.

Answer 4

Call the DOT. Send them all the bills and try to make them pay. Get police reports each time it happens from now on and make the DOT pay for it. Theyll fix the road.