Last night, when taking a particular girl out to dinner, I decided to take the Capri Blue Focus instead, it's quieter and smoother. The transition from 215/45ZR17 Eagle F1s to 195/60R15 NCT5s is immediately apparent, the tire roll is huge and they lack grip badly.
Not 5 minutes after picking up this girl, we were on our way to the restaurant when an rapid but smooth increase in tyre noise, plus a vibration, so small but noticeable thru the steering wheel, started. I waited for about 10 seconds to see if the tire would sort itself out, but it became immediately apparent it wasn't and it was serious, so I pulled over to investigate. A testament to the steering, it steered straight through out the event. Sure enough, flat tire.
: It was completely deflated, in the space of about 5 to 10 seconds from the initial noise.
I quickly fitted the spare, returned the stricken car home, and took the car I should have taken in the first place,
EUR04D.
This morning I took the tire down to my local tire place, where they re-inflated the tire. To everyones suprise, it stayed inflated. So we left it for an hour and it was still inflated, so they put some load on it and the failure was apparent, the valve had split and was dumping large amounts of pressure.
New valve later, tyre back on rim and balanced, and my friendly shop sent me on my way without any charge.
I was lucky not to destroy the tire by continuing on any further, as the tire was completely deflated. It didn't cost me anything financially, but time wise it was a pain in the bum, all dressed up (still, good excuse to rip down to my t-shirt and flex the muscles in the sun haha) and trying to get to the restaurant.
Alls well that ends well though, and a great night was had regardless.
py:
Moral of the story: NCTs are poo!
Tim