Hi,
I had my first flat in my Tesla Model S Plaid today at 7,200 miles. The dash indicator went from a low tire pressure indication to pull over immediately in about 15 seconds. Let’s just say it was a big flat. I used the Tesla app and reported a flat tire, and Tesla came back with $121 if the tire could be repaired and $660.50 if I needed a new tire. It would take about two hours for them to arrive since I live in a very rural area. I told Tesla to hold off that I would try and repair it.
Lesson 1: Check critical hardware when you get it, before you need it: my NEW Tesla inflator with built-in fix-a-flat did not work. The compressor would not turn on when the switch was in the fix-a-flat position (I made sure the knob was fully engaged multiple times).
Lesson 2: Carry tire plugs. In my case, the hole was large enough that the a separate can of fix-a-flat did not fix it. I had to send my wife to purchase both the can of fix-a-flat and some heavy duty radial tire plugs.
Lesson 3: Carry a 3-ton scissor jack. I needed to have my wife pull forward in the Tesla until the hole was in the right position so I could plug it without removing the tire.
Lesson 4: Carry a blanket to lay on while you are working on repairing the flat. I was in a suit and kneeling on a floor mat to avoid messing up my suit was tedious.
Lesson 5: Carry a 1/2 drive socket and breaker bar/ratchet so you can remove the tire if necessary. The tire would have been easier to plug if I could have removed the tire.
Start to finish, including having my wife pick up the items I needed but did not have, it took me about 75 minutes to repair the tire and be on my way. I will take it easy on this tire (no high speed runs) until I have it repaired properly or replaced if Discount Tire doesn’t want to patch the inside of the tire.
As soon as I can, I will log in to my Tesla account and get this non-functioning Tesla air pump sent back. In addition to the fix-a-flat not working, the air pressure gauge did not work.
By this Saturday, I will have all of the items I need so that I do not have to bother my wife if/when I get another flat. For the record, I did not think that Tesla’s price for a tire replacement was too bad considering it included delivery and installation at the location where I was stuck. I wonder how they balance everything when they do a roadside tire replacement. Mobile road-force balancer?
If you are reading this and you are even remotely handy at plugging a tire, you should, at a minimum, carry the items I have listed above so that you can repair your own flat tire.
Joe
"Tesla Plaid" by Chris Yarzab is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Admin note: Image added for Blog Feed thumbnail
I had my first flat in my Tesla Model S Plaid today at 7,200 miles. The dash indicator went from a low tire pressure indication to pull over immediately in about 15 seconds. Let’s just say it was a big flat. I used the Tesla app and reported a flat tire, and Tesla came back with $121 if the tire could be repaired and $660.50 if I needed a new tire. It would take about two hours for them to arrive since I live in a very rural area. I told Tesla to hold off that I would try and repair it.
Lesson 1: Check critical hardware when you get it, before you need it: my NEW Tesla inflator with built-in fix-a-flat did not work. The compressor would not turn on when the switch was in the fix-a-flat position (I made sure the knob was fully engaged multiple times).
Lesson 2: Carry tire plugs. In my case, the hole was large enough that the a separate can of fix-a-flat did not fix it. I had to send my wife to purchase both the can of fix-a-flat and some heavy duty radial tire plugs.
Lesson 3: Carry a 3-ton scissor jack. I needed to have my wife pull forward in the Tesla until the hole was in the right position so I could plug it without removing the tire.
Lesson 4: Carry a blanket to lay on while you are working on repairing the flat. I was in a suit and kneeling on a floor mat to avoid messing up my suit was tedious.
Lesson 5: Carry a 1/2 drive socket and breaker bar/ratchet so you can remove the tire if necessary. The tire would have been easier to plug if I could have removed the tire.
Start to finish, including having my wife pick up the items I needed but did not have, it took me about 75 minutes to repair the tire and be on my way. I will take it easy on this tire (no high speed runs) until I have it repaired properly or replaced if Discount Tire doesn’t want to patch the inside of the tire.
As soon as I can, I will log in to my Tesla account and get this non-functioning Tesla air pump sent back. In addition to the fix-a-flat not working, the air pressure gauge did not work.
By this Saturday, I will have all of the items I need so that I do not have to bother my wife if/when I get another flat. For the record, I did not think that Tesla’s price for a tire replacement was too bad considering it included delivery and installation at the location where I was stuck. I wonder how they balance everything when they do a roadside tire replacement. Mobile road-force balancer?
If you are reading this and you are even remotely handy at plugging a tire, you should, at a minimum, carry the items I have listed above so that you can repair your own flat tire.
Joe
"Tesla Plaid" by Chris Yarzab is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Admin note: Image added for Blog Feed thumbnail