New QX50 with screw in tire

[ralfp]

Just got my new QX50 today. After driving it a few miles I noticed a faint thumping noise that I attributed to the rough roads and that the driver-side auto up did not work. Brought the car back about the window and the tech reset it. Okay... I keep on driving and realize that the noise is speed-proportional and could be felt through the brakes.

I bring it back again and they point out an automotive (?) hex head bolt/screw in the tread. They agree fix it for free. I wait an hour or so and drive the car home. Then I notice that they patched, not replaced, the tire; they did not even bother to balance the thing (invoice was just for the patch). Note that the car had ~200 miles on it at delivery (delivery from another dealer) and that I had driven it about 10 miles.

Was this reasonable, or should I insist on a new tire? Either way I will go back and insist they patch it from the inside and balance the wheel.

N.B. I admit to being an idiot for noticing nature of the problem immediately.

[ralfp]

I have a hunch as to how this could have happened; the salesguy may have dropped a front license plate bolt under the car when he installed the plate. The plates we gave him came from a car of ours and still had the frames on them. The tire in question was the right front tire, which could have rolled over a dropped bolt as I backed out of the spot. Just a hunch.

[mk15]

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone replacing a tire (new or otherwise) over driving a screw and then having to get it patched. Unless you drive your care 8/10ths and higher a lot, I don't see it ever being an issue. But kudos to you for sensing something was wrong really quick, that's means you won't be doing this..

[AZhitman]

Correct - No need for a patch or re-balance. The plug is far more functional than a patch, and can last the life of the tire.

On a more important note, let's see some photos of the QX50!

[NJGuy]

I would be fine with a proper repair (combination patch and plug), as outlined by the Rubber Manufacturers Association tire repair guidelines. Requesting a new tire might be asking for much, unless you know that the tire has some type of other defect or deficiency attributed to the damage it incurred.

I've run with plugs on some of my tires in the past. I can only remember one time (maybe out of 5) where the plug leaked air. If I encounter another tire puncture, I'll go with the route of patch/plug combo and a rebalance; it doesn't cost all that much more than a plug (and in your case, the cost might be the same). I'll only go with a plug for a temporary solution or emergency situation.

[ralfp]

I got a call from the salesman last Friday AM asking if I was happy with the car. I explained the problem, so he had me talk to the service department. They had to get authorization (or something), so they said they'd call back. I never got a call back.

I would be fine with a proper repair (combination patch and plug), as outlined by the Rubber Manufacturers Association tire repair guidelines. Requesting a new tire might be asking for much, unless you know that the tire has some type of other defect or deficiency attributed to the damage it incurred.

Thanks. I assume that a plug+patch requires a re-balancing the tire. I think will go back and be willing to settle for that, but ask for a new tire first.

The receipt that I got specifies that a "plug/patch" was done (list price $8.00). There's no mention of any balancing.

[ralfp]

I brought it in this afternoon and they replaced the tire*. Dealership (Pepe in White Plains, NY) now gets a .

* They said they replaced the tire. It looks new and has the strips on the tread. No receipt since they need to process this because of the special circumstances (or something like that), which makes sense, given that new tires are not usually a warranty thing.

[EXceptional]

Very sweet deal on the repair.

Now lets see some pictures of your new ride.