Dealt with my first car issue without Rick

Marie5656

Marie5656

SF VIP
Location
Batavia, NY
Well, at least the first time I had to do it on my own in 20 years!!! Nothing major. Went to the grocery store, when leaving I turned in a different direction than normal, as I wanted to make another stop before going home. Had nothing perishable in the car. So, I cut the turn too short and ran over the curb and BAM....flat tire. In traffic, and could not get back into parking lot. So, had to drive on wounded tire for a bit before I could safely pull over and call for assistance. I have no Roadside assistance, as hubby never wanted it, so I called the tire place we usually dealt with. Luckily I had my phone, I have a bad habit of forgetting it.

Anyway, did you know that spare tires are no longer standard in new cars? I didn't until the tow truck guy opened the back hatch and no darn tire. His plan to just change it and send me on my way went out the window. So, he had to tow it. I got a ride home. I am sure I will need a new tire. But one of my neighbors is going to drive me to the shop to pick up the car tomorrow.

Then not 10 minutes after I got dropped off home a Thunderstorm ran through.

The only thing I did that required input from a male friend was to ask him how much was a reasonable price for a matching tire for the car. I have no clue.


 

There are some of the newer cars which no longer include a spare tire in the trunk....however, most of them do include a can of "fix-a-flat"...or equivalent. This stuff allows you to re-inflate a tire that has gone flat, but does not have major structural damage. Personally, I would be a bit leery of buying/driving a car without a decent spare tire...you never know when you might hit a piece of debris on the road that leaves you stranded. I would Also consider Roadside assistance as a necessity on the auto insurance...especially for us Older folks. I think our policies with State Farm add about $4 to the cost, every 6 months....well worth it if you ever need help on the road.

Insofar as buying a spare....I would go to the dealer you bought the car from and see what they would charge for the Proper spare. Otherwise, you need to shop at a tire dealer for the proper wheel, and tire....probably more than your car dealer would charge for a compatible spare.
 
Don, I am not going to worry about getting a spare for this car. I have less than a year left on the lease, and do not plan on keeping it. Now that you mention it....I found a can of Fix a Flat in one of our cupboards when I was clearing it out last week. Of course, it did me no good in the moment. Ha Ha. Plus, I know how it works, but have never used it before. So, would have needed help anyway. Just another thing I will have to learn.
 

If you haven't bought tires in the past few years, be prepared for some "Sticker Shock."
I have a new Nissan Altima. When one tire kept losing air, I went to a tire place & the guy showed me a nail near the sidewall & said it couldn't be patched because it was too close to the side. He gave me a new tire price of $235.00. I haven't had to buy tires since 2005 because I always lease every 3 years, so I couldn't believe the price. And, I was suspicious that the tire couldn't be patched for $25.00. I went to two other tire places & also researched online. It was true - a puncture close to the sidewall couldn't be patched. And the current tire prices were also true.
 
Our last few cars have been leases, so this will be my first in a while. I am not looking forward to the cost. Luckily, Rick had been dealing with this place for several years before he retired, and we started takin g personal vehicles there when needed (we have winter tires for the car I am driving now), so I know they will not stear me wrong and if they say it cannot be fixed, I will trust them, due to our history with the place.
Wish me luck.
It is just funny that so many years ago I dealt with this on my own all the time. But being away from being the sole person making car repair decisions in so long, it is a bit scary. It shouldn't be.
That is why when it comes time to turn in this lease, I am going to use the same dealership for my next car. I know them, and since I usually brought our cars in for service, they know me know. A good relationship all around.
 
I have the little tire in my trunk as a spare and only had to use it once. I only drove to Firestone the next day to get a new tire. The small tires are just to get you where you are going and not to be used everyday. It was in my 2008 Toyota when I bought it and all cars have them as a spare. Don't know when they stopped putting regular tires in as spares. Never paid that much for a new tire. Usually buy a full set at Firestone when needed and never pay that much for one. Of course I watch for their specials.
 
If the inside of the tyre is not damaged Marie and the puncture
is not on the sidewall, then it should be repairable, as you say
the company knows you and should treat you fairly.

For a while here they put little spares in a new car, they looked
like a thin tyre for a motorcycle, now they don't put anything.

You can ask to have one, but it will cost unless you are good
at bartering.

As for roadside breakdown services that get you home if your
car can't be fixed, most Banks and/or insurance companies
offer one as a "come-on", if you take an account.

Mike.
 
I refuse to buy new vehicles without spare tires. This new trend is a way manufacturers squeeze even more profit dollars out of buyers. I insist the dealer provide a spare, or they lose my business. I'm 2/2, so far.
 
Ken N Tx said:
Fix-flat will not help with a blow out like hitting a curb!! Only works with a puncture..
Click to expand...

I've learned from experience that the tire places I deal with won't work on a tire to repair an otherwise repairable puncture if you've used fix-a-flat on it.
 
Marie, I too would recommend getting roadside assistance service. I have used AAA for a few years now and they have helped me with everything from changing a flat tire, towing my car to a transmission place because the transmission gave out, to unlocking my card door when I left the keys inside. Very helpful to have, especially for a single woman.
 
Well, the tire place called. I definitely need a new tire. More bad news, they do not have one in stock, and no one locally has one (really!!?? For a Chevy?). They ordered one from an out of town place and will not have it until Monday!!!! This sucks. I tell you I will not hit a curb again!!
 
Marie5656 said:
Well, the tire place called. I definitely need a new tire. More bad news, they do not have one in stock, and no one locally has one (really!!?? For a Chevy?). They ordered one from an out of town place and will not have it until Monday!!!! This sucks. I tell you I will not hit a curb again!!
Click to expand...

You have just experienced a classic example of Murphy's Laws...."If something can go wrong, it probably will". Once you get this situation behind you, seriously consider getting a spare tire, and updating your auto insurance to include Roadside Assistance. If you have a damaged tire, and no spare, there is little that a tow truck driver can do other than offer you an expensive tow to a car shop...probably at a cost exceeding what a spare tire would cost. Then, too, for us older folks, the physical strain of placing the car jack, removing the lug nuts(usually torqued to about 100ft/lbs), and wrestling a heavy tire off/on the vehicle, is almost more than the old body can do....which is also a good reason to have auto insurance that offers roadside assistance.
 
Marie, I'm glad the flat didn't cause you to have an accident and it's good that you were able to get help. You're wise to set yourself up with Road Assistance, be careful out there. :drive:
 

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