97inCC

I bought my 1997 coupe last year in December with a fairly new set of Firestone Firehawk run-flats on the car. The rear tires are P275/40Zr18 94Y. Last weekend I found a screw lodged in my rear driver side tire and called several tire centers, starting with the local Firestone tire & service center, in an effort to get the tire repaired. Every Firestone service center told me the same thing- that it is Firestone's policy not to repair run-flats and that the tire would need to be replaced at my cost for $472.99. Because I am not the original purchaser of the the tires I'm not allowed to use the road hazard warranty on the tires. I called several other tire service centers, like Tire Kingdom,Tires Plus, even the Chevrolet dealer, and once they found out that it was a Firestone run-flat they wouldn't repair it either. I called several consumer agencies and finally talked to Firestone's district manager who acknowledged that Firestone absolutely will not repair run-flats because it voids the speed rating on the tire. What infuriates me is that the tires have less than 8,000 miles on them and I've got to literally throw one away. So now I have to look at buying at least 2 back tires or maybe 4. But they definitely won't be Firestone. As a word of caution to those of you buying Firehawks, you might want to think twice before getting "screwed" like I did.

RocketDawg

Try a local independent tire dealer instead of a national chain. I had a similar problem with a Goodyear original equipment tire and had it repaired with no problem. It cost $25 to repair and rebalance.

EHS

Goodyear has a specific repair process for the OEM runflat. Plug and patch on the inside.

You may want to consider the same repair on your Firestone.

Here's a link with pictures on the repair method:

http://www.i-car.com/html_pages/abou...02/021802.html

This is what Goodyear's patch and plug combo looks like (they are a single unit):



Firestone may still be gun shy from the Ford Explorer thing.

RocketDawg

That's exactly what they used for my repair. It worked well.

97inCC

Thank you for taking the time to reply, RocketDawg. That's a good idea. Other than just calling around, how can I find one in my area- Lee County, Florida- that has the personnel and equipment to do a good job in repairing run-flats?

GrayC5

Yes, this has been brought up here a number of times before. Firestone and some other manufactures of Run-flats say their tires are not to be repaired under any condition and they will not stand behind them after any run-flat incident. Offhand, Goodyear and Michelin are the only manufacturers that I am aware of that say their run-flats can be repaired provided certain conditions are met. Here's an article that has been around the Forum before that you may want to read:

Run Flat Facts

Sorry to hear about the tire.

EHS

Start with these:

GOODYEAR AUTO SERVICE CTR
4028 CLEVELAND AVENUE
FORT MYERS, FL 33901
(239)936-1533
Fax: (239)936-7841

AJS AUTO & FLEET SERVICE INC
11857 METRO PARKWAY
FORT MYERS, FL 33912
(239)936-2526
Fax: (239)936-5101

GOODYEAR AUTO SERVICE CTR
2144 DEL PRADO BLVD SOUTH
CAPE CORAL, FL 33904
(239)574-3539
Fax: (239)574-2095

KARRY'S AUTOMOTIVE CAPE CORAL
2104 SANTA BARBARA BLVD
CAPE CORAL, FL 33991
(239)574-1951

KARRY'S AUTOMOTIVE CENTER
15135 MCGREGOR BLVD
FORT MYERS, FL 33908
(239)437-0377

GrayC5

That is because Goodyear, manufacturer of the OEM run-flats, say their run-flats are repairable provided certain conditions are met. Firestone says their run-flats should not be repaired after any run-flat incident. Check out the following article about 3/4 the way down:

Run Flat Facts

edensknight

screw991le

I am sorry $472

BiggieBoy

Apparently, Firestone has no regard for the workmanship of their own tires. The Firestone vs. Good Year runflat repair policy is like night and day. Good Year has faith in their product and they will plug/patch their EMT (thread area). Firestone will not repair---they want you to spend several hundred $$ on a new tire. What a crock of . Any thoughts of me purchasing Firestone EMT tires are now "out the window." Say what you want about Good Year EMT tires, but, I'll take them any day, over Firestone.

Vetteman Jack

I had two Firehawk tires punctured several years back and took them to my local tire store for repair. They used the plug and patch method and since then I have had absolutely no problems with the tires. My advice is if you want to know Firestone's official policy, contact their Consumer Products Divsion and ask the question. I see you contacted a District Manager and was told no on the repair. Seems like even within Firestone there is some disagreement on the repair.


You will see a lot of different information on the repair of runflats. Some will say yes, some will say no. Should you toss the tire if you get a puncture - that's a call only you can make based on how you drive and what other information you decide to believe. I have felt safe with my repaired tires.

c4cruiser

The issue is not a disregard for the workmanship of the tires but the potential liability due to an improper repair by a Firestone store. The problems Firestone had with the Wilderness AT tire on Explorers was a case of product liability where the tire was improperly constructed or used bad material.

If a store employee screwed up in doing a repair of a run-flat, the liability would still rest on the company (and the store and employee). Firestone is obviously gun-shy about anything that can result in a potential for injury to a customer even if it's a tire plugging job for their runflats.

I'm not siding with Firestone as I think they're doing a disservice to their customers by this refusal. Personally, I wouldn't run Firestone tires on any of my cars in the first place.

LB04CE

I don't buy their tires...........

screw991le

Good answer, I know I will not now. When the tires gets a scratch you need a new one. Buy a compressor and flat fix, cost alot less than 472

mwagne16

It's been said once, so I'll be short.

It's called lawsuits.

EHS

I buy Goodyear for run-flats.

I have no porblem with Firestone Indys on my cop car. They handle great.

kenrobb

Discount Tire will install the correct patch usually for free. They are the only place I buy my tires now.

EHS

Johnny_B_Good

BTW, I will never buy Firestone Run Flats!