Flat tire day

[robertwft]

How would they patch that foam? Seems like local stores won’t be familiar with patching foam tires.

I saw a YouTube post saying to just glue it back to the tire.

 

[Garlan Garner]

Now that I own a Tesla with the acoustic foam (Model 3 with 20" Michelins), I contacted Michelin to get specific tire repair info. Here is the e-mail reply:

MICHELIN® Acoustic Technology Inspection & Repair Procedures

Michelin tires with Acoustic Technology will be available on certain new vehicles as original equipment

beginning in 2016. These tires contain a proprietary polyurethane foam ring applied to the inside of the tire

for the purpose of reducing interior noise generated by the interaction of the tire with the road surface.

Refer to http://www.michelinman.com/US/en/why-michelin/michelin-acoustic-technology.html for more

detailed information. This bulletin will address the recommended tire repair procedures of these tires with

the new acoustic Technology.

All repairs and inspections of Michelin tires with Acoustic Technology are to be completed by a trained

tire service professional. The repair of a Michelin tire with Acoustic Technology must be preceded by a

careful examination of the tire concerned.

Only after a thorough inspection of the demounted tire can it be determined if the tire is repairable. If it

is determined that the tire is repairable, the following repair procedures needs to be followed. If the repair

is done correctly and according to the provided instructions, the original level of noise reduction should be

attained, but it is not ensured.

Note:

In the case that the polyurethane foam is found to have peeled off along the tire circumference following

puncture, the foam should be completely removed from the tire. In this case, the tire may be repairable but

its functionality of reducing noise will no longer be active.

Acoustic tires are to be repaired the same as standard tires following RMA Industry Standards for tire

repair. The only permissible repair method is to dismount the tire, fully inspect inside and outside, and if

repairable from inspection use a one piece or suitable two piece patch/stem repair unit.


1. Identification of the puncture on the inside of the tire.

2. Remove the foam from the repair area. To do this, carefully cut out a foam square with a pair of

rounded-end scissors. To have a comfortable working area, a 4x4 inch square cut area is sufficient.

Be careful not to damage the interior rubber when cutting the foam.

3. Ream the hole from the inside following its perforated trajectory.

4. Preparation of the repair area. Pull the adhesive beads of the cavity foam with the round part of the

scissors while being careful to not damage the inner liner of the tire.


Finish the repair procedure by following the final steps for standard tires referencing RMA & Industry

publications and wall charts.

5. Remove the protection from the one piece patch-stem without touching the uncovered surface.

6. Insert the one piece patch-stem from the inside.

7. Pull the patch-stem smoothly from the outside.

8. Roll over the patch-stem head moving from its center towards its edge.

9. Cut the protruding part on the outside, without pulling the body of the patch-stem.


If you have further questions please reply to this email.

Thank you,

Sincerely Joe
Michelin Product Specialist

I put a plug in mine just fine. No problems. I didn't remove any foam or anything.

 

[robertwft]

Thanks for info.

 

[Magnets!]

Last night coming home the car got all frantic about low tire pressure. Get home, can't find anything but tire is low so I put air in... this am, low again. Can't be fixed but Tesla roadside was out super quick and fixed me up. Not the best way to spend $377 but can't beat the lack of down time. Super nice guy too

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So was this a Tesla Ranger or independent roadside assistance? And they came out with a new tire and mounted it on your wheel onsite? Fantastic!

 

[Msjulie]

@Magnets! Tesla Ranger and at the house quicker than AAA has ever been

 

[Federico]

This show how to repair the Continental ContiSilent tires which are similar to the Michelin

Repairing ContiSilent Tires with Quiet Foam – TechLink

 

[OCR1]

Has anyone replaced the tires on their M3 and found tires that have the same foam technology as the OEMs?

And, if you replaced the tires with non-foam tires, have you noticed any additional road noise?

 

[Msjulie]

This show how to repair the Continental ContiSilent tires which are similar to the Michelin

Repairing ContiSilent Tires with Quiet Foam – TechLink

Only works if the nail is in the tread area vs the sidewall

 

[Magnets!]

Has anyone replaced the tires on their M3 and found tires that have the same foam technology as the OEMs?

And, if you replaced the tires with non-foam tires, have you noticed any additional road noise?

The foam tires are available, at least for the Pilot PS4. They are a bit more expensive.

 

[Thirsty3]

I guess I'm part of the flat tire day club now too. Hit a nail on the way to work - tire pressure started dropping like crazy. Managed to pull over safely at around 10 psi. Called Tesla support and they sent an independent tow truck with a loaner wheel within an hour. The tow truck driver said he couldn't take the wheel to the service center (about 20 minutes away, but across the river in NJ) so he left it with me. He said it couldn't be repaired since it was about an inch from the sidewall (luckily seems like there's no rim damage since I was driving slow and for less than 1 miles). Since I had my damaged tire in my trunk, I got a second opinion from Bridgestone later in the day - they agreed, couldn't be patched. Oh well - looks like the tire (Continental Pro Contact - 19s) is about $278 on tire rack. Hoping Tesla is similar - have an appointment booked but it's a week out. Calling tomorrow to see if they can squeeze me in Friday.
Two questions:
1. Any aftermarket road hazard warranties I can purchase (not near Discount Tire/America's Tire referenced in earlier posts)?
2. Any other tips/advice?

Thanks!

 

[OCR1]

Two questions:
1. Any aftermarket road hazard warranties I can purchase (not near Discount Tire/America's Tire referenced in earlier posts)?
2. Any other tips/advice?

Thanks!

Do you have a Costco membership? I would avoid buying the tires from Tesla. They don’t offer any protection against damage like Costco or other companies.

 

[Thirsty3]

Do you have a Costco membership? I would avoid buying the tires from Tesla. They don’t offer any protection against damage like Costco or other companies.

Thanks - Yes - I'm a costco member - but online, it doesn't look like they have my exact tires or even all season tires that would fit. Also, they'd only put a warranty on the tire they sold me. I was hoping to find a general road hazard warranty that would cover all four tires like the one at America's Tire.