[Susan5s]

Need to change front passenger tire I damaged this afternoon. Called the dealer and was told the Prius Techs were all booked up and the non-Pruis-certified techs were not allowed to work on Prii. So I went to my trusty mechanic in town whom I've known for years and who can do it for me tomorrow afternoon after he gets the tire in. My question is this: is there anything special the mechanic needs to know about changing a tire on the Prius and will it void any warrantee by having him do it? Doesn't seem to make sense that it would.

Thanks for any info!!

Susan

 

[dpurcell]

Tire Change

I got a flat on my way to work today (ran over a nail). I went to a Firestone tire store and they took the wheel off and repaired the flat. I watched the whole thing. There was nothing mysterious or difficult about it.

 

[Susan5s]

Thanks, Dave!

Susan
04 Silver #9

 

[BIF]

Yeah, you should have no problem letting somebody else change a tire for you, as long as they're putting on the correct replacement size and type.

If your other three tires are the original low-rolling-resistance tires, then make sure that they replace the damaged one with a tire of the same type and size.

 

[mrv]

anybody who does tires can change out the tire. nothing special there!

Just be sure to file for your reimbursement in a timely manner!

(All US Prius come with 3 years/36,000 miles of Toyota Roadside Assistance, which if you read the brochure that came with your car also includes a Tire/Wheel Road Hazard warranty.
You'll have to call the number in the form, and hopefully they'll give you the right address (it's been changing in the last few months)
to submit a reimbursement form. 1st address would send you the form in the mail, and you had to provide a photo of the tire...
by the time I used the number in Feb. 2004 for a repaired flat, all I had to do was send my original receipt (with amount paid, repair done, repair shop's name/address, and my vehicle's model year/VIN/mileage, and my name/address. check came in the mail about 2 months later.)

 

[Susan5s]

Thanks, Michelle! I was under the impression there was no coverage for tires/road hazard. I'll get out the manual & re-read it. This is great. The hubcap ring was banged up, too, but I'm sure that's not covered.

Susan

 

[mrv]

It's not in the Owner's Manual. It's in the little 8.5"x11" tri-folded brochure about the Toyota Roadside Assistance Program.

I think the one that came with my husband's 2004 is a little different than the one with my 2001, but the text was very similar/same:

from my 2001 brochure, 00-110-156|00627-BROCH-PRIUS
<quote>
Tire and Wheel Road Hazard Coverage

For the term of the warranty, reimbursement will be provided up
to $20 per incident for the repair of a flat tire damaged by a Road
Hazard.* If the tire is non-repairable and has more than 3/32nds of
tread depth remaining, you will be reimbursed for a comparable new
tire (includes balancing & mounting) up to a maximum benefit of
$150 per incident. A warranty term maximum benefit of $600 applies
to your tires, and all repairs or replacements must be pre-approved.

In addition to the tire, should your wheel also be damaged due to a
Road Hazard*, you will be reimbursed for a comparable new wheel
(includes balancing & mounting) up to a maximum benefit of $200
per incident. A warranty maximum benefit of $800 applies to your
wheels, and replacements must be pre-approved.

*Road Hazard is defined as: objects and road conditions such as
potholes, rocks, wood debris, metal parts, plastic or composition
scraps, or any item causing tire damage other than normal wear
and tear.
</quote>

my story about submitting a road hazard claim for a repaired flat, and the numerous addresses I've seen: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toy ... sage/70574

 

[mrv]

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Pri ... sage/12711

I knew I had posted the quoted Toyota Roadside Assistance brochure for the
2004 somewhere...

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/200 ... sage/23402

Among all of the manuals and brochures that you received with your car,
there should be a tri-fold brochure that's very green, with a 2004 Prius
on it, labeled "Toyota Prius Roadside Assistance Program" with the part
number on the back of 00627-PRIUS-RSA04 03-MKG-047 Also in the brochure is
a plastic wallet-sized "Roadside Assistance Card."

[Middle inside fold page]

TIRE AND WHEEL ROAD HAZARD COVERAGE

For the term of the 3-year, 36,000-miles warranty, reimbursement will be
provided up to $20 per incident for the repair of a flat tire damaged by a
Road Hazard (t). If the tire is non-repairable and has more than 3/32nds
of tread depth remaining, you will be reimbrused for a comparable new tire
(includes balancing and mounting) up to a maximum benefit of $150 per
incident. A warranty term maximum benefit of $600 applies to your tires,
and all repairs or replacements must be pre-approved.

In addition to the tire, should your wheel also be damaged due to a Road
Hazard (t), you will be reimbursed for a comparable new wheel (includes
balancing and mounting) up to a maximum benefit of $200 per incident. A
warranty maximum benefit of $800 applies to your wheels, and replacements
must be pre-approved.

[right inside fold page]

HOW TO HANDLE A ROAD HAZARD CLAIM:

(Pre-authorization Required) You must call 1-877-304-6495 for
authorization. Proceed by having all covered repairs performed by a
comercial repair establishment. For reimbursement, up to the maximum
limit specified, please submit the following:

The "original" receipt containing the commercial establishment's
pre-printed name, address, and telephone number. This receipt must also
include the covered vehicle's year, make, model, VIN number, and odometer
reading.

Your reimbursement request must be submitted within 30 days of the Road
Hazard incident. Upon receipt of the completed information, your request
will be processed within 20 working days.

Please submit your request to:
Cross Country Automotive Services
Toyota Prius Reimbursements
P.O. Box 9145
Medford, MA 02155

(t) = Road Hazard is defined as: objects and road conditions such as
potholes, rocks, wood debris, metal parts, plastic or composition scraps,
or any item causing tire damage other than normal wear and tear.

[back middle of pamphlet]

WHAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ROAD HAZARD BENEFIT:
-Tires with less than 3/32nd tread remaining
-Replacement covered by a manufacturer or other warranty
-Replacement exceeding the manufacturer's vehicle specifications
-Damage caused by negligence, abuse, misuse, collision, curb impact,
valve or rim leaks, improper inflation, tire chains, racing, off-road
use, vandalism, fire or theft
-Any consequential damage


[I'll note that I've seen at least 3 different addresses to sent the
documentation to, so I don't know which to recommend...]

 

[FIXIT]

I had utilized the road hazard on my 2001. I believe there is a 30 day claim period. And, be careful to make sure they replace the tire with the exact load rated tire.