Drivers who've had same tyres on car for a while 'warned'

A leading mechanic has issued a warning to used car owners over a tyre "scam". Scotty Kilmer, a viral YouTube content creator, has warned motorists and road users they are "at risk" due to the problem, which continues to sweep the country.

Scotty said: “Today I'm going to tell you why you don’t want to go to a crappy tyre store and have them balance your tyres incorrectly. Because that's what's happened to my son. He had to get a tyre put on so he just went down the street to a tyre store and they didn’t balance it right.

“It was so badly balanced you can see the remnants where the weights used to be. It had over 18 different weights on it. To do it correctly, first all the weights have to be taken off the rim, the old ones. Those idiots put new ones on top of the old ones and it shook like mad.

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"So when you need a tyre replaced go to a reputable shop. Don’t go to one of those places that says ‘oh we’ll change your tyres for five bucks’ and don’t go buy used tyres. Buy good new tyres and have them balanced correctly'.”

In reply, a viewer said: "I spent time in the tire business. My biggest problem was getting the Techs to REMOVE all the weights. Some had the mindset that it didn’t make a difference. SMH." A second said: "I go to a local Discount Tire because the guy that works there is a former Army special forces vet.

"He's a young guy that uses manners, respect, and professionalism. When he says they're going to do something they do it right." A third said: "It's also a good idea to check if all four of your new tires are the same size. One time I found one tire the shop installed was the WRONG size!"

Another said: "As a retired motorcycle technician and machinist I always removed the old weights prior to balancing the tire. For many years I balanced tires on a static stand with no issues. Eventually I worked at a dealer that had a balancing machine. It took about the same amount of time with the same results.

"Some of our customers ask if we have a high speed balancer. I say yes, but the results are the same if using a static balancer as long as it's done right. At a motorcycle road racing track the guy's changing tire for the racers use a static balancer not a high speed balancer with no issues and these guy's are going well over 100 mph."