Hi y'all. I'm a newbie and not technical, as the name `banana' suggests ;)

Trying to keep my 2009 Polo alive but she needs two rear wheels, which I'm told are worn and so tyres starting to go flat. Can anyone recommend where to buy new ones - I'm told refurb and 2nd hand can be too tricky for amateurs like me to find. Many thanks for your thoughts and advice. 

Details: registered Jan 2009, petrol/manual, 1390cc, 5-door, much loved

Whoever told you that?

 

Alloy wheel rims don't wear out or turn porous.

They can get kerb damaged.

The paint can crack.

Brake dust can make them very ugly if not washed often.

 

But it is tyres or valves that lose air.

 

Get some new tyres fitted and ask that they "clean the rims inside and use plenty of bead sealant". You should see someone use a file or electric sander on the inside which should be smoothed of old sealant.

 

Don't pay extra for nitrogen. Spend £10 on a gauge instead (or £20+ on a pump). Check the pressure monthly.

 

Rule of thumb.

If you can push a thumb into sidewall it is too low pressure.

Thanks for the reply Dvderlm. What you advise makes perfect sense - even to me. I got a tyre check at Kwik fit because the rear tyres were a bit flat. It may have been my misunderstanding - they may have said damaged. They put sealant in rims, which they said would last a few weeks. Sounds like a second opinion and new tyres may be in order. Thanking you again for the wise words.

 

 

Do the tyre sidewalls look cracked?

Or between the sipes (grooves) on the tread?

 

I'll have a good look and feel tomorrow in the light, thank you! But no, the wheels are dirty but don't seem damaged or deformed and the tyres seem sound.