new sorta flat tire?

[P0k3Y]

OK, So I'm flying along and when I start braking I notice my car pull to the right...I thought something was up so I check the tires, sure enuff the Left Rear Tire is half flat (or at least that is how it looked. SO I pull into a gas station to fill it up and when I start filling it I can feel the air come out the side ( oh great) So, long story short I am driving with a flat tire. (I could change to the spare) But I have to work tomorrow and I live around Bayview and Sheppard, so can someone assist me? I only have 8000km on the baby. Should I go to a service center to have them patch the tire, should I call Mazda roadside assistance (what can they do?) Should I go to the dealership tomorrow before work to have it checked out?

Please help, I'm new to the whole "problem" thing with a new car.

Thanks

[rowan]

Drive on it as little as possible.
If it's a slow leak, fill it up with air and go to the dealership if they're the stock tires. Otherwise, try to get to the shop where you purchased the tires.

If it's a big puncture, throw the spare on one of your back wheels and move a good tire to the front. This may buy you a bit of time to call around and see where you can drop off your busted tire for repair.

I can't think of any of the main tire shops that are downtown so a dealership is probably closest. ( maybe North Toronto Mazda near Finch? or Downtown Mazda .. not sure where you actually live )

[ChopstickHero]

It seems that the leak is great enough for you to feel/hear it, so for safety, I would not drive on the tire anymore.  If the leak is big, then change it with the spare.  If you're totally unsure about how to do any of this, call roadside assistance, that's what they're for.  If you can make it to a tire shop, ask them to look at it and patch the leak.

I got a leak in my van before a year or two ago and I took it to Bento's Auto & Service Centre.  They're CAA certified and can fix leaks.  It's located at 1544 Dundas St W. (Dundas & Dufferin). 416-431-9981. Ask for Fernando.

[P0k3Y]

Thanks guys...These are the stock Dunlops, does anyone know if they have the runflat technology? I am not sure if all new tires implement these....I got it safely home (wasn't too far) and I am gonna take it to the dealership tomorrow morn just to see if they can patch it quickly/freely, but i think i might as well use roadside assistance, I'll call them 2morrow before work, I already know I'll be late (since it's free) http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Protege5girl]

If the tire cannot be repaired, get ahold of dunlop. They have a good will program where they measure whats left of the tire tread and then do a calculation and you can get a new tire for alot less than a new one.

At about 8000km I had a leak that couldn't be fixed. Cost me 80$ for a new tired installed. I had to fight with the dealership though...they didn't believe me that dunlop covered road hazards. (I called dunlop to enquire before I went to the dealership so I knew they did)

[MP5Navy]

The stock Dunlops do not employ "run flat" technology. Very few tires are run flat. When a run flat tire loses air you wouldn't be able to tell that the pressure is low cause it hold's its shape. BTW I have run flat Pirellis and have throughly experienced its benefits. 80km/h with 10 psi was no problem.

[rowan]

Dunlop does however offer run-flat technology in a version of the SP9000.
If you're into that sort of thing.

[P0k3Y]

Update!

OK, I called roadside assistance and they sent a CAA guy over in like 30mins, not bad. when he looked at the tire we both could see a big hole in the sidewall oposite the air nozzle. He said it couldnt' be fixed, so we switched to the donut (gawd it's ugly http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ) Anyways, he told me not to drive on the highway with it and to only go like 15km on it??? (that sound right?) Well bottom line is I will need a new tire. I want to stick with the dunlops since I still have 3 in great condition. I have alot of tread left too btw.
P5girl: Do you know a number to call dunlop about this? and then should I go to the dealership to get it replaced? Seems like it would be cheaper to go to a shop to get a new tire (BTW: anyone know of a good shop in central T. /Richmond Hill (I am at work)

Thanks for the help.

[rowan]

You should have received a Dunlop warranty card when you picked up your vehicle (I think they are yello).

If you're in Richmond Hill, there is Avante Mazda on Yonge St. north of Major MacKenzie. And right next door to them is a Wheel & Tire Zone shop.

[Protege5girl]

There should be a number listed in the tire warranty pamphlet that came with your car...a yellow pamphlet. (Check the owners manual case...)

They will send you to the dealership to have the tire replaced, the dealership will get the tire elsewhere. (New since Jan 2002). I brought my car to Avante mazda, and after making a few phone calls they sent me next door to wheel and tire zone (on Yonge, N of Major Mack), who measured to see how much tread was left and then replaced it for 80$ vs 350$ (thats how much the tires cost).

[P0k3Y]

AHAHA So the Tire warrenty pamphlet is the only one I dont' have/didn't get. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif I remember my dealer just pointing out the page in the manual about tire warrenty. I called Dunlop canada (was in the book) but no one called me back. I called the dealership and they told me to just go to the Extreme tire place next to Avante mazda on yonge and get a new one or something like that.....

[shibby]

dont go to any Canadian TIre. they overcharge you bad, i got charged like 30 dollars

[P0k3Y]

WHat can I expect to pay for a new tire? Same one as the factory dunlops?

[Protege5girl]

factory tire is liek 350$. However if they do a good will gesture you'll prolly pay around the same as I did 50-80$. (i had 8000k on the car when i got my flat)

[P0k3Y]

Went to Extreme Tire and Wheel next to Avante and asked ther guy about warrenty service. Ha, he says Dunlop doesn't cover side wall puncture or whatever, said they used to, but not anymore, so oh well, got a new tire for $180 installed, just gotta go pick it up now....

[Protege5girl]

Its not considered a warranty item. Its a GOOD WILL gesture.

What did dunlop say when you called them?

[P0k3Y]

Dunlop didnt' say anything cuz you can't get a hold of them, ahh well, no biggie, it's done


Thanks