2 weeks old, and we got our first flat!

[Opusnugen]

Just got a call from my wife a while ago. Seems our Prius has a flat (right rear). I got her the information on the road side service toll free number, and she is calling them this hour (she and the kids are at the science center today).

Anybody have comments on:
- road side service
- tire replacement (in or non-warranty)
- temporary spare

I am hoping a local dealer less than 10 minutes away can assist on the service. I would assume we will be able to replace this tire with another Goodyear (who else would have this particular model of tire than a Prius dealer? Or a Goodyear dealer?).

Jeez, less than 2 weeks old and our first flat. Hopefully we don't have any vehicle damage, since she drove it several more miles on an interstate to get to the parking lot.

I will keep the group posted on our experience.

[bruceha_2000]

Originally posted by Opusnugen

I am hoping a local dealer less than 10 minutes away can assist on the service. I would assume we will be able to replace this tire with another Goodyear (who else would have this particular model of tire than a Prius dealer? Or a Goodyear dealer?).

Could be just the standard nail/screw in the tire - a few bucks to plug at any service center.

[jasond]

Originally posted by Opusnugen

Anybody have comments on:
- road side service
- tire replacement (in or non-warranty)
- temporary spare

I am hoping a local dealer less than 10 minutes away can assist on the service. I would assume we will be able to replace this tire with another Goodyear (who else would have this particular model of tire than a Prius dealer? Or a Goodyear dealer?).

Most normal flats (puncture in the tread part) can be repaired. Of course, the one flat *I* got was in the sidewall, so the tire needed to be replaced.

[bookrats]

I notice that both Goodrich, Bridgestone and Michelin have tires in size P185/65R15 as well.

I'd be curious what the tire pressure on your tires was. There's a long-lived, ongoing discussion about whether the Prius tires, coming from the dealer, are somewhat underinflated.

As I understand it, underinflated tires make the tires wear down faster. However, I have no idea whether they'd be more susceptible to punctures, etc.

[bruceha_2000]

Originally posted by jasond
Most normal flats (puncture in the tread part) can be repaired.  Of course, the one flat *I* got was in the sidewall, so the tire needed to be replaced.

Been there, bumped a curb going around a corner, parked in the grocery store lot thinking nothing about it. Dead flat when I came out of the store. Wouldn't have minded too much except that it was a 1 month old 75K Michelin! Lost both right side tires a couple of years ago when I wacked the curb rather than the guy that went through the intersection starting in the left lane, ending in the right. Both dead flat when I got into the conveniently located parking lot 50 feet down the road. And he had the nerve to blast his horn at ME! At least these were going to be replaced in 6 months anyway.

[Opusnugen]

Well, here is the first update.

The tire has a large piece of metal in it. It is stuck in the tread, and it is on the edge where the sidewall and the tread meet. Seems they may have picked up a piece of metal from an accident on the highway that they passed. Since she drove it flat for a couple of miles, there is rim damage on the sidewall. The wheel rim was undamaged.


The guy who came out to change it (in the rain), thought that it couldn't be patched. My wife took the car to the nearest local dealer (Ackerman Toyota) and they didn't have a replacement tire (Goodyear). We have one on order from the closest Toyota dealer (Jay Wolfe). Both dealer and our local Firestone dealer quoted the same price for the tire ($87.00) So, we are waiting for it to come in on Monday, and we will have the tire fixed.

Originally posted by Opusnugen

I will keep the group posted on our experience.

[rockluvr]

Won't the warranty cover this? I thought it covered road hazards?

[daniel]

I had a flat on my previous car. Sidewall blown out. No way to know the cause. The tire was about a year old. Based on tread wear, they charged me $5 (yes, just five dollars!) for a brand-new tire. Plus I paid for balancing and mounting.

[HTMLSpinnr]

Originally posted by Opusnugen
Both dealer and our local Firestone dealer quoted the same price for the tire ($87.00) So, we are waiting for it to come in on Monday, and we will have the tire fixed.

While I agree that there is probably some bit of road-hazzard to the warranty of the tire, I will note that I've noticed that Toyota has been very competitive with pricing on tires. When I had to get the tires replaced on my '02, the dealer undercut a local "Discount Tire" store who was trying to wheel and deal me. They were also the only one who had an "alternate" OE tire for less $$ available.

I plan on checking with my dealer first when it comes time for new shoes on the '04 should I want to keep the OE tires. They know they can't compete with local tire stores and Costco's if they charge typical dealer prices (the Service Advisor made that specific remark when I was getting my tires). This seems contrary to previous experience with Ford as well.

-Rick

[Opusnugen]

Not sure. They did come out and put the spare tire on for my wife (during a rain storm, no less) for FREE. But as for the road hazard warranty, they wouldn't be covering a leak caused by picking up a piece of metal.

Originally posted by rockluvr
Won't the warranty cover this?  I thought it covered road hazards?