Hit something...tire flat

[AnitaInKC]

OK...I looked away for a second...and hit something in the road. I think I broke the bead on my tire, cause the sensor light came on. I only drive 7 1/2 miles from work, and I stopped 1/2 way to check the tire pressure. It was at 20. I filled it up, drove home, and now, a couple house later, the back tire is flat. The rim looks fine.

Here's my question: Do I have to take it to the dealership, or would my regular mechanic that I've had for many years be able to check the tire out? I'd really rather not pay Mercedes labor, if my next door neighbor/mechanic could fix it.

Any advice?
Thanks!

[jetfuel]

..have your friend take a good look at it...if beyond his expertise then a tire shop or the dealer are your next best shot........just me

jetfuel

[SuperGeek]

A tire is a tire. Anybody that can repair a tire can do what you need. Don't feel restricted to the dealer for tire issues- including refills of the goop that comes with the compressor.

If you do any travelling, get AAA and/or a tire repair kit from Nealey (Nealey Tire Repair Kit) and a goop of your choice. If you get a low tire and have to use the factory-supplied goop, get to a tire repair shop within a day or two and you'll be ok. Longer than that and you may have to replace tire, sensors - but that's pretty rare. Depends on a lot of factors.

[John_H]

You could probably have any tire person look at it.

My experience: there was a problem with the valve stem and a TPMS sensor broke when the tire place finally got to my car. I took it to my Smart Center and was out quickly and not charged since the loose stem was either a Smart or Smart Center issue (they customized my wheels).

In the end (partly, perhaps, because my Smart Center isn't a Mercedes dealership as well) I should have taken it to the Smart Center in the first place.


Caution, though: the sensors are fragile and replacement of a broken device would probably be on you if a friend or foreign shop broke it.

[AnitaInKC]

Thanks guys. I was thinking the same thing: a tire is a tire! I didn't use the tire kit on purpose: I thought that once you used one of the goop-things, that the tire wouldn't be fix-able. So, I filled it with air & raced home. Thankfully my mechanic is close! :-)

Now, I CAN jack it up & take off the tire, right? My thought was to just take the tire in.

Thanks again!!

[John_H]

Do you have a jack and 15mm socket for the lug bolts? And a hockey puck (to go between the jack and the jack points on the car to avoid damaging the plastic underbody).

I think (not certain) that the goop these days is water soluble allowing the tire to be cleaned, then repaired. Check with your Smart Center or read the can (or the owners manual?).

[AnitaInKC]

Jack & 15mm socket...check. Hockey puck? In Kansas??? What's hockey?? :-)

Oh, I long for the easy days...flat tire?? Jack it up, change the tire, jack it down...on your way.

Is the jack point in the manual?

[jwight]

Jacking info for the 451 is about half way down the page: Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia

[forestacademy]

Is this a 450 or 451? Your avitar is a 450.