flat tire!

johnfried · 02-25-2008, 09:56 PM

I have had my car for 14 months and just got my first flat. I had the spare put on and am about to call toyota service to check my flat. Good idea, or go to tire service place?? Is any of this covered under my warranty (service, tire)? How long can I drive with this spare? Also, my tire pressure light has been on for over 2 weeks. Do you think I never got a flat, and it was just out of air?

Thanks.

JimN · 02-25-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnfried

I have had my car for 14 months and just got my first flat. I had the spare put on and am about to call toyota service to check my flat. Good idea, or go to tire service place?? Is any of this covered under my warranty (service, tire)? How long can I drive with this spare? Also, my tire pressure light has been on for over 2 weeks. Do you think I never got a flat, and it was just out of air?

Thanks.

Punctures (road hazard) aren't covered under the tire warranty. Check the pressure in the other 3 tires. The flat tire definitely tripped the sensor but since the light has been lit for 2 weeks the others are low by 25%. Any tire shop can patch a tire.

Bill Merchant · 02-26-2008, 03:31 AM

um, johnfried, what do you think the tire low-pressure warning light was trying to tell you for two weeks?

rochesteruser · 02-26-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Merchant

um, johnfried, what do you think the tire low-pressure warning light was trying to tell you for two weeks?

Exactly what I was thinking.

JimboK · 02-26-2008, 07:55 AM

I would take it to a reputable tire shop. They are the tire experts. And if turns out to be unrepairable, they probably won't charge as much as the dealer for a new one. (As the other Jim says, road hazards are not covered under warranty.) To verify, you could call around ahead of time to price the tire.

As for how long you can drive on the spare, the owner's manual describes it as having a 3000 mile tread life. But you still want to get it off ASAP. It has a top speed of 50 MPH and you can't expect the same handling characteristics as a regular tire.

richard schumacher · 02-26-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Also, my tire pressure light has been on for over 2 weeks. Do you think I never got a flat, and it was just out of air?

By driving on it for two weeks while it was going flat you've probably ruined the sidewalls and turned what might have been a repairable puncture into a replacement, and maybe damaged the rim.

N3FOL · 02-26-2008, 04:08 PM

Tires is just one of the most important part of your vehicle. You do not want to overlook them. For your safety and for the safety of other motorist around you, regularly check your tire pressure. I was told that a underinflated tire has a bigger chance of getting a flat tire (p/u a nail or so...).

Hope you can get your tire situation straightened out soon. Drive safe.

JHSmith · 02-26-2008, 06:14 PM

I have to agree with most of the responses here about your ignoring of the Low Pressure warning for two weeks.

Now, another warning/suggestion: If you take your tire to a Tire Shop, be sure to tell them you have a valve stem mounted sensor. Otherwise, you'll be looking at an additional $250 to replace THAT sensor.

02-25-2008, 09:56 PM	#1
johnfried Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 17 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	flat tire! I have had my car for 14 months and just got my first flat. I had the spare put on and am about to call toyota service to check my flat. Good idea, or go to tire service place?? Is any of this covered under my warranty (service, tire)? How long can I drive with this spare? Also, my tire pressure light has been on for over 2 weeks. Do you think I never got a flat, and it was just out of air? Thanks.

02-26-2008, 03:31 AM	#3
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 4,100 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 18 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts Friends: 60	Re: flat tire! um, johnfried, what do you think the tire low-pressure warning light was trying to tell you for two weeks?

02-26-2008, 07:55 AM	#5
JimboK One owner, low mileage Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 2,551 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 4 Thanked 99 Times in 72 Posts Friends: 6	Re: flat tire! I would take it to a reputable tire shop. They are the tire experts. And if turns out to be unrepairable, they probably won't charge as much as the dealer for a new one. (As the other Jim says, road hazards are not covered under warranty.) To verify, you could call around ahead of time to price the tire. As for how long you can drive on the spare, the owner's manual describes it as having a 3000 mile tread life. But you still want to get it off ASAP. It has a top speed of 50 MPH and you can't expect the same handling characteristics as a regular tire. __________________ Jim Click here for car details.

02-26-2008, 04:08 PM	#7
N3FOL Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Stewartstown, PA. Posts: 791 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: flat tire! Tires is just one of the most important part of your vehicle. You do not want to overlook them. For your safety and for the safety of other motorist around you, regularly check your tire pressure. I was told that a underinflated tire has a bigger chance of getting a flat tire (p/u a nail or so...). Hope you can get your tire situation straightened out soon. Drive safe.

02-26-2008, 06:14 PM	#8
JHSmith Camry Hybrid Owner Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: King George, VA Posts: 171 My Car: Other Hybrid Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 1	Re: flat tire! I have to agree with most of the responses here about your ignoring of the Low Pressure warning for two weeks. Now, another warning/suggestion: If you take your tire to a Tire Shop, be sure to tell them you have a valve stem mounted sensor. Otherwise, you'll be looking at an additional $250 to replace THAT sensor.