Nail in my tire - with warranty

[doogster]

I just wanted to explain what happened to me today so that anyone out there that has the extended tire and wheel policy knows what to expect from them.

I found a nail sticking out of the sidewall of my rear tire today - I have no idea how long its been there, but probably just a short time. The tire is not losing air currently.

I have the extended tire and wheel warranty so I called the number on the sheet. They were there (its Sunday) and they told me all they do is arrange for getting my Smart to the place of my choosing for repair... the actual repair is someone else that I would (or the repair place would) have to call.
They said if I had a functioning spare they would come put that on... I told them the car doesn't come with a spare and they talked to me like I had two heads... this was a totally foreign concept.

I told them the only place that would have a tire is the dealership and that is 90 mins away... they said "NO PROBLEM" we will get a tow truck out there and your warranty covers the first $100, the rest of the bill is on you!

That being said I went on-line and bought a tire from the tirerack (I called around locally and no one had one and most said they couldn't even get it)

The warranty company said I had to contact them FIRST before doing anything in order to get reimbursed for the tire... but they aren't open until Tuesday because of the holiday... so it looks like this repair will be totally on me and my wallet.

[SunDiego]

Sorry to hear that.... keep us updated.

[celenztah]

Regardless of the fine print, I would have to think that the warranty company will work with you on this when you call them Tuesday. But then again, folks sometimes aren't always interested in keeping our business it seems.

Keep us posted how it goes as you are able. Good luck!

[trigga]

The first $100 of a tow doesn't seem like much. I have never had a car towed but still. I dont think I'll get ANY extra warranty when i get mine.

[SmartJJ]

In the 6 months I had my smart, I got 2 nails in tires. First time the tire wouldn't hold air. Fortunately, I was close to home and friends -- one came, we took the wheel off, and I took it to Discount Tire, where they repaired the tire FOR FREE! Four months later, I discovered a nail in a front tire, but it wasn't losing air. Drove to Discount Tire, where they again fixed it for free.

I can't say enough good things about Discount Tire. I have always bought tires there, and even bought their road hazard tire warranty on the tires on my other cars shortly after I bought the cars, for just in case. They have twice replaced damaged tires under the warranty. Once I was on a road trip hundreds of miles from any of their locations, and they repaid me for the Goodyear tire I had to buy.

I hadn't yet gotten their road hazard tire warranty on the smart before I decided to sell it. But I would recommend it to anyone. The warranty is transferable with the car, too. I think for my last MINI the warranty was about $80 for the four tires (which of course came with the new car).

Just my $0.02.

[sixcrows]

A few months ago, I kept getting a tire pressure warning light. After refilling the tire several times, I brought the car into my smart dealer (Keeler, in Latham, NY). I have the tire and wheel warranty.

They replaced the tire. No charge. Picked up the car that afternoon.

[doogster]

Yeah, I'm sure they would do the same for me... if I wasn't 90 mins from the dealer... I can't drive it there with a nail in the sidewall... so I'm stuck.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by doogster

I have the extended tire and wheel warranty so I called the number on the sheet. They were there (its Sunday) and they told me all they do is arrange for getting my Smart to the place of my choosing for repair... the actual repair is someone else that I would (or the repair place would) have to call.

The people who take care of the extended warranty don't actually take care of the repair? They simply take care of getting the car from Point A to Point B? Then who pays for the repair?

They said if I had a functioning spare they would come put that on... I told them the car doesn't come with a spare and they talked to me like I had two heads... this was a totally foreign concept.

Shouldn't they be aware of this already? That's sort of the whole point of the tire warranty... the fact that you can't carry a spare!

I told them the only place that would have a tire is the dealership and that is 90 mins away... they said "NO PROBLEM" we will get a tow truck out there and your warranty covers the first $100, the rest of the bill is on you!

So they only take care of getting the car from Point A to Point B... as long as Points A and B aren't too far from each other?

[SloPok]

Your tire & wheel warranty only provides a tow from point A to point B. You have to pay to have the tire fixed. If the tire can not be fixed they replace the tire or do you have to buy one yourself? The same for the wheel, do you or the warranty pay for the replacement?

How much is the tire & wheel warranty? Do you know the price of a wheel? I have towing as part of my car/truck insurance. I don't need another towing insurance policy.

Seems like it isn't a bad idea to buy a set of adaptors and four new wheels that are five lug and can accept a standard size tire on all four corners that you can purchase anywhere.

[jonnysan]

Hi Doogster,
I have 175's all around for one thing...I think you may know that as I've posted doing so. I also have accumulated 3 almost new 175's (have one more to get to have a full set and one of them is mounted on a Pure wheel as a garage spare).
This way I will always have a spare that I can count on getting if I get into trouble on the highway. Call the wife or a family member who knows how to get into my house to get the spare and bring it to me. On a really long trip, I have yet to design and make a spare tire rack on the back of the smartie using the tow hook mount points....and the tow hooks.
I just bought a small scissors jack and carry it with the car and I also have one of those *stop and go* tire plugging kits that I carry on the car at all times as well. This way I can do my own repair right on the spot if need be.

These things are the best "tire plan" you can have because you dont' have to count on anyone else but yourself to get out of the jam you are in.....

And I know I can count on "ME" to get the job done.