So I had a blowout Saturday coming home from work about a mile from my house. Heard a "pop", sounded like my parking brake disengaging (whole different topic there), but didn't feel any pull, no sensor lights came on, nothing... I slowed down anyway and made it home where I found to my horror that my tire was flat. Bleh.

Ok, no big deal, I have the emergency can-o-epoxy. So I started pumping it into my tire. Then I noticed it was all running out of my tire... the hole was dime sized. Took the tire in to get a replacement and discovered that no one in Phoenix has Potenza tires on hand, except my dealer who charges a couple arms and legs for one (and my dealership was closed by the time I got my wheel off).

Found a close enough replacement (had to get to work). But while he was fixing with my tire, the tech guy said that the can-o-epoxy stuff would more than likely ruin the sensor....

Anyone know if this is true or not?





Me venting: Feels like Mazda is screwing me here. I have a flat tire and it costs me $500 (new spare, new tire, new sensor). Argh. I love my 8, I knew some of the costs going into getting her, but this... this is icky.

 

I'm sorry to hear you had a flat, that certainly is a pain, but Mazda isn't 'screwing you'.

It costs maybe 250 for a replacement tire at most, i'm not sure why you need a new spare, and Mazda certainly didn't tell you to pump epoxy in to ruin the tpms. The car comes with a fix a flat kit (however functional that is), but sounds more like bad luck, than Mazda f'ng with you.

good luck.

 

OI... Well, let me know where you go for tires because the lowest I could find for a tire that matches the other three (out of the 5 places I called) was 279.99 without tax and installation. And that was at Discount Tires which generally has the best prices.

New spare is needed because the 8 didn't come with one and I think I'd rather be safe than sorry from now on.

And um... yeah, Mazda did tell me to pump in the epoxy into the tire. Maybe you didn't understand or I didn't make it clear but I'm talking about the stuff in the emergency kit. It just happens to more than likely mess up the sensors, according to the tire guy. Just would like confirmation or not from those who have experienced this before.

And I was just blowing steam... I don't think they're really out to get me. They might be out to get others... but not me

 

ahh, my bad. I misunderstood your original post- as it didn't mention using the fixing flat kit, only epoxy.

go to tirerack.com. They have the Bridgestone REO40 in 225/45/18 for 179. They ship very fast, usually no more than 2 days.

As per the spare tire kit- if you want to save money and weight, I'd just avoid it. You get roadside assistance ( i know it can take a looong time sometimes), but what are the (KNOCK ON WOOD) chances of getting 2 blowouts? Could be high, but worth the risk in saving money in my opinion.

 

I love you.


Unless the s&h charges double the price... I'll check out the site.

And I had totally forgotten about roadside assistance. Good call.


Thanks!

 

Do these cars come with free roadside assitance for a given period of time? Also if so what do you get included and what do you need to pay for?

 

tire rack normally does not charge for shipping and handling- as they view it as a mail order, thus, no tax applies (thats what it says on their site).