Flat tire on my Cybertruck... still waiting for a tow

[Woodrick]

If we're getting into semantics, the lowercase "s" in service covers both (and much more). I wasn't specifically referring to the branded Tesla Service but rather the actual services that Tesla provides.

Is Tesla sales the same as Tesla service?

And the big difference with roadside service is that AFAIK, it's 100% outsourced to contractors. Consistency is impossible to implement.

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[Spacenoddle]

It's always worth checking if there's a tire repair shop close by. If you drive slow and you're not at zero PSI you can make it to repair shop without damaging the wheel or tire.

In my F-150 I got a flat but I couldn't get to the spare because I didn't have the physical key, I was using my phone as a key. Thankfully a shop was able to patch it for $40 and they were three blocks away.

I am not sure I would take the chance to use the self patch thing, I trust neither product nor me for such heavy vehicle running on a patched tire.

 

[mbrockus]

I was one of the lucky ones who scored a spare tire. Hate losing the bed space but piece of mind has it’s price too. I also have a plug kit and a compressor to address the nails n stuff. Hopefully both collect a lot of dust before I need them.

 

[scottyah]

Is Tesla sales the same as Tesla service?

And the big difference with roadside service is that AFAIK, it's 100% outsourced to contractors. Consistency is impossible to implement.

Sales are a service, but your phrasing of "the same as" misses the point

 

[scottyah]

Is Tesla sales the same as Tesla service?

And the big difference with roadside service is that AFAIK, it's 100% outsourced to contractors. Consistency is impossible to implement.

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=What+is+a+service?

1. assistance or advice given to customers during and after the sale of goods:
   "they aim to provide better quality of service"
2. a piece of work done for a client or customer that does not involve manufacturing goods:
   "highly customized goods and services" · "the provision of banking services to small and medium-sized businesses" · "the growth of employment in the services sector"

Maybe the fact that it is "100% outsourced to contractors" is a reason people complain. I know people like Tesla vehicles largely because the company does so much of the work themselves, vs companies like Ford that have so many subcontractors building parts.

 

[igs]

because of, today’s events, I am canceling 4 additional Cybertrucks I had reserved on day one.

Last I checked Tesla was not in the tow business. You should blame Tesla for not giving you nail proof tires.

 

[CT Owner Vito]

Congrats to the OP on getting sorted. We've all been there, it's frustrating waiting endlessly for a tow that may or may not arrive. Glad the service center had tires in stock and are working on getting you going again.

While arranging service can be...ahem...difficult, what I've found is that mobile and service center staff are generally friendly and understanding and usually try to be as helpful as they can be. It doesn't mean we will always agree on whether something should be repaired and how, but they do aim to listen and help.

Also, more often than not I get a loaner if it's more than an hour or two. Last one was an X Plaid.

I always ask to try to get a loaner also, but today, none were available. Anyway, they had a tire, so it wasn’t needed anyhow.

Regardless, I also own a new MX Plaid so I don’t need one as a loaner.

I guess what the real point is, I am not complaining about Tesla or the 3rd party tow companies that were confused.

I still gave everyone involved a tip (as is my choice) and what I normally do. But better service earns a better tip. Still, even those who do not provide a good service are (hopefully) doing the best. And since they are working (and possibly do not earn much), they do deserve something from me- even if I wasted a day waiting.
What goes around….
That is how I choose to live. YMMV

 

[CT Owner Vito]

Last I checked Tesla was not in the tow business. You should blame Tesla for not giving you nail proof tires.

In regards to that, why doesn’t Tesla offer run flat tires?

 

[CTInProcess]

You are being petty OP. This isn’t Teslas fault. You have an indestructible truck. User error.

 

[Trekboy]

I have experienced eight (8) flat tires on three different vehicles over the past 25 years. On two of those (Mini Cooper S and Ford Fusion Engeri PHEV), there was no room for a spare. The truck - yes, had one underneath the bed (as usual). Except for one blowout, they were all just punctures and could have been easily fixed in place without even removing the wheel in less than a half hour.

With this experience, this is what I decided to do rather than spend $1200 and loose 1/3 of my usable bed space for a total around $325 with all bits and pieces. It all fits in the smugglers bay with room to spare.

With the lift on the CT, getting enough clearance to find and fix the puncture is much easier than on my other vehicles.

First is a high volume 120V tankless compressor I also use to top off the tires as the Texas weather does its thing.

Portable Air Compressor 110V,Ultra Quiet Air Compressor Oil Free and Lightweight Small Air Pump

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YTKQLVK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title


Second is a simple plug kit with a pouch.

Boulder Tools - Compact Tire Repair kit with Molle Storage Pouch.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SBFGMDB?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I also added a GlueTread sidewall patch kit. If anyone knows anything about GlueTread - you know it is good.

GlueTread Full-Size Sidewall Tire Repair Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVC2RZFY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Also had to add a coiled hose (about $20) and an air chuck for it (another $20-$30 for a kit).

This is EXACTLY what I'll be doing with my CT, as I already carry those in my frunk for my Model 3.

 

[Art138]

In regards to that, why doesn’t Tesla offer run flat tires?

I am glad they don’t offer run flats;they are very noisy and require frequent balancing as they wear. Try slinging a 100 pound Run flat in and out of the bed. No thx.

 

[Sjohnson20]

I would get a spare tire but I really don't want to lose all that bed space. Maybe just for really long trips I could carry it. Not sure if it's worth it.

 

[HaulingAss]

Well, as it turns out, there is a good ending to this story.
The tow truck finally arrived. We made it to TW and they did in fact have a correct sized tire!
They are installing and balancing it as I write this. And best of all, my hotel reservation was not canceled when I did not show up as planned!
Life is good!
I will make certain that I get a spare to keep in the bed going forward.

Why not just carry an emergency tire plugging kit? I don't understand the sheer number of people who still think it's a good idea to carry an entire spare wheel and tire assembly. It's not the 1960's any more, but old habits die hard. Did you carry spare fuel pumps, water pumps, spark plug wires, alternators and belts, starter solenoids, fuel lines, radiotor hoses, radiator fans, and a bunch of other spares just in case one of them decided to give up the ghost? Of course not!

It's a lot easier to plug a tire than change out a spare wheel! And with the TPMS warning you as soon as a tire goes below the warning threshold, you might catch it in time to not have to re-inflate, depending upon how far you have to go with the plug in there. You could jump out, find the puncture, move the truck forward or backward a few inches to make access easier, put the suspension in Extract Mode to make access easier, thread a plug on the insertion tool, use the needle nose pliers to pull the offending item out of the tire and immediately poke a worm in there and be on your way. Or you could ream the hole and use a small air pump to re-inflate afterwords and maybe not have to buy a new tire.

Much quicker than changing an entire wheel/tire assembly! And less huffing and puffing.

 

[HaulingAss]

In regards to that, why doesn’t Tesla offer run flat tires?

Because run flat tires suck. I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy.

 

[dalton108]

Because run flat tires suck. I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy.

I don’t know about that I had them on all my Bimmers and my INFINITI. Plus my C8 and C7 Corvettes (Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S summer on the former). Never had a reason to complain.

I think run flats totally would make sense on 3/Y/S/X that is if there isn’t another reason why they don’t play well with EV’s and I’m sure there is. Run Flats on a off-road or like the CT seems like an obvious compatibility issue. Also I don’t know if they come in 35s.

Why do you say they suck as a general proposition? In what way?

UPDATE: this guy seems to cover a lot of it;



But, I wouldn’t have it any other way on my sports/luxury cars and if the penalty wasn’t what I suspect it will be on EV‘s I would definitely run run flats on my model s plaid.

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