Can you believe we had another flat tire?

I’m nearly apoplectic here. This summer, we purchased four new Bridgestone tires for the Highlander @ $200 each to replace the original Toyo Open Country tires that came with it. I’m still incensed that the original tires didn’t last the first 50K miles.

This is all old news, so what’s my beef? As we were leaving a party Saturday night, the low tire pressure sensor went off. I checked the tires in the dark, but all looked fine. Next morning, the rear driver’s side tire is looking a little flat, but there’s some air. 30 mins later, even flatter. What’s the deal, a slow leak? Maybe a small nail? Can it be patched?

It was raining, and I had the kids with me, so I called AAA to have someone change the tire for me. Yeah, I wussed out, but I didn’t feel like bothering to do it in the rain for the first time. This is the 2nd time we’ve called AAA in the past 3 months. Unbelievable bad luck.

Nobody was open Sunday afternoon, so I went to a local STS tire center early Monday morning to try to get it patched. 30 mins later, no can do, there’s a cut in the sidewall. I was annoyed, but in hindsight, I should have been thankful that we didn’t have to deal with a totally flat tire in the middle of the night Saturday. How did it last me 30 mins all the way home from South Brunswick? Divine intervention, perhaps.

STS didn’t have the Bridgestone tire in stock, but regardless, it would be potentially out of pocket another $270. I told the STS guy my plight about these being new tires, and he recommended that I give Toyota a buzz, and find out if there was any sort of road hazard coverage on new tires.

On the way to the office, I reached James Toyota in Flemington, and Eureka! there is a 2 year road hazard warranty. Two years! All I would have to pay is mounting and balancing fees. I made an immediate appt, took a 1/2 day, and went to James. Two hours, a 1/2 vacation day and $32 later, and a complimentary car wash, we had a new rear tire.

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