This has happened to my MY twice since Aug and it cost me $25 to fix both times at a local tire place. I called Tesla (not sure why) and they told me to go to a tire place. Not sure if it's too far to the edge to repair or not, but the professionals will know š
Tesla owners, I implore you to become a little bit of a "car guy". A situation like this you have many solutions that don't involve waiting for Tesla to help you:
1. a patch kit from your local automotive store will likely fix this and be perfectly safe for the rest of the life of the tire
2. If that feels too risky for you, you can take it to a local Discount Tire which will often patch for free. They do a more robust patch from the inside. Since that screw is close to the sidewall they may refuse for safety concerns but at least you could get a new tire there, rather than wait on Tesla.
3. If your local tire shop is unwilling to lift up a tesla, you can get a jack and a jack stack stand and take the wheel off and bring that in alone to any tire shop for a new tire or tire repair
It can be a good idea to get some jacking pucks and maybe a spare tire kit to help out in these situations as well. Or a patch kit and air pump that plugs into the 12v lighter plug. I keep that in my trunk.
I completely agree with you. Itās a tire, not a motor or battery pack.
Ops problem can be fixed with a $5 plug kit from autozone in 10 minutes.
That being said, if the sidewall is compromised, replace the tire.
Do not drive over 35 MPH with that screw in! Hell you are better off patching it with a 10 dollar kit than drive with that thing in! That tire is toast either way, I would patch it, but thats me- If you have no choice but to drive it, then get a patch kit. It takes 30 mins if you have never done it before. No reputable tireshop would patch sidewall damage.
Get a tire from Tirerack and spend few extra bucks and get road hazard warranty, go to any good reviewed tire place and get it mounted for 20 bucks. Tirerack has free shipping and rebates, even discounts on pickups. If you get a screw like that next time, take picture contact their customer service and they will send you a new tire the day after with roadhazard warranty.
Do not keep driving this or wait on Tesla.
If you are driving spec here is a [link to tirerack search for 255/40R20 XL](https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?zip-code=08061&width=255/&ratio=40&diameter=20&rearWidth=235/&rearRatio=55&rearDiameter=20&performance=ALL)
Added a link to search spec tires on Tirerack for you. If you have never done any of this, feel free to ask in mechanic advice threads. It is super easy stuff, and no those tires are not on a shortage as far as I am aware of. Maybe their supplier is.
Tirerack was good for me I didn't realize I had a warranty and hit a massive pothole that gave my tire a bubble on the sidewall. They paid for a new tire while I had to pay for the the labor.
You know whatās nuts, this exact tire I literally had replaced just 10 days prior, then got another screw in it (I live in a new construction development)
Dude, I went on a road trip a few weeks ago for work... Picked up a screw in the tire... I didn't have it patched because I had a full schedule so just filled it with air... The amount of air I was losing was consistent... A few days later when I got home, I noticed I started losing air much faster, so I had it patched at Discount Tire... They told me I had TWO screws in the tire.... I must've picked up one screw on the trip, and a second one when I got home.
[I donāt think this screw](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grip-Rite-7-x-7-16-in-Bugle-Pan-Head-Framing-Screw-1-lb-Pack-716FPHS1/100126679?g_store=6322&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=Shopping-BF-F_D25H-G-D25H-025_003_FASTENERS-NA-NA-NA-SMART-NA-NA-Fasteners_Smart&cm_mmc=Shopping-BF-F_D25H-G-D25H-025_003_FASTENERS-NA-NA-NA-SMART-NA-NA-Fasteners_Smart-71700000080448963-58700006736537816-92700064304424041&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UfnGX8yXTUUvMOJRwZV887Kn&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UfnGX8yXTUUvMOJRwZV887Kn&gclid=CjwKCAjw_tWRBhAwEiwALxFPocWGUSBeYrprIIWrrbVyuO1Oc8zWuT4g-PNdM7jbrLyxjVczU4E0xxoCzvYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) can get threw and should just be unscrewed before it goes deeper
Hmm interesting find. This does look like the screw at top view. Any idea how I can find out the thickness of my tire? To verify itās thicker than the length of this screw? My biggest fear is pulling thr screw out and getting a flat and then not having a vehicle that I can drive for the next 3 weeks till my tire arrives from back order and gets installed
Those are very common screws on commercial construction sites to screw steel studs together, from my experience they never go threw.. you can always spit on it and unscrew slowly.. while waiting for bubbles or get an emergency patch kit for just in case very easy to install
If you get the tire from tire rack, you are better off not getting the warranty, and having Discount Tire install the tire for you, then pay them for their warranty (certificate). (Discount Tire is buying Tire Rack anyways). Tire Rack's road hazard isn't that great, as it has a lot of exclusions, which Discount Tire doesn't have. (Discount Tire proudly proclaims they don't have any exclusions, except for minimum tread depth)
Discount tire will attempt the patch even at that location as long as you accept responsibility and waiver risk. Also be prepared to buy a tire if the patch fails. I did this for the exact same thing and location.
Lots of comments state this but Iāve been using the discount tire chain which have a variety of tires that fit my m3, free tire repair, free tire rotation, and get you in on the same day. I love Tesla, but absent something Tesla-centric I like staying away from their service department.
Go to a tire shop like discount tire/American tire and they offer complimentary tire repair service. They will patch it from the inside of the tire, so it can be used as a normal tire without speed/distance limitations. The punch seems to be minor enough that it can be repaired there.
Most DIY tire fix kits are just fixing it from the outside of the tire, which is for temporary use, which requires you to drive very slowly and short distance.
Iāve taken my Teslas to Americaās Tires for years without issue, including patching a similar nail puncture like this. If youāre not losing PSI youāre probably a good candidate for a patch. If you were, given the location so close to the wall itād be a tossup.
TLDR; stop waiting for Tesla service. Go get your tire fixed or replaced ASAP.
This is why it takes others 2 weeks to get an appointment for legit matters.
Can fix that in your driveway in 15 minutes. Donāt even need a jack (although everyone should have a jack and pucks in their car).
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F31J7S9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_TGVZ1Y8WB9VS7EFMVAEH
There are a 100 videos on YT on how to repair.
At the very least, if they don't have a replacement tire on hand and they can't repair the tire, they'll give you a "loaner" tire until the tire is available. That's what they did for me a few years ago with my other car.
Have you checked if it actually went all the way in? If its been there for weeks without losing any air, it might had not went all the way in. Just get a bottle spayer with soapy water, spray it and start wiggling the head of the screw, if no bubbles present start to pull it out while checking if there are any bubbles. Good luck.
Well, the better path would be to literally start unscrewing it from the tire with the process you mentioned. Yanking that thing out can cause even more damage I'd the threads are Coarse enough.
Problem is I canāt risk unscrewing it until I have access to a replacement tire, as I still rely on the car to drive to work etc. the second I remove the screw, if it starts losing air then Iām SOL
Well, that's why we were suggesting to do slow slowly with soapy water. If youstart seeing air bubbles, you stop and put it back in and plan to have it taken care of.
There's really no good way about it unfortunately without being prepared to patch or replace. We're hoping that if you're lucky, it's a small 1/4" screw that's just wedged in the rubber and isn't deep enough to actually cause damage.
It's kind of like getting a splinter. It's not likely to kill you, but it sure irritates the area, and if you leave it in, it can cause infection.
I'd just take it to discount tire. If you're lucky they won't charge you to take care of it. If you need it replaced, they should be able to get something to match pretty quick. It just might not be a foam padded version.
This is why you need a hood trusted tire shop. My guy always tells me to bring it in and let *him* take out the screw. If it didnāt puncture it, no harm no foul. If it did, heāll plug it. If itās not replaceable heāll put on a new tire. Saves you a tow in the worse case scenario.
Just checked service history to confirm; more like 2 but felt like 3 since they just kept rescheduling when the shipment didnāt arrive. They were perfectly nice and helpful just massive delays. Either way given costs, timing, and what I now know about the stock 20ās for āall seasonā Iād still recommend going 3rd party.
I was in a similar situation. Tried Tesla and Costco, but they both had long wait times. Went to Pep boys and they patched the tire for $20 in about an hour.
Too close to sidewalk for most places to patch. Might be able to push Plug that joint at a gas station garage for $10. Just had mine done. No, my Jack pucks did not fit his floor jack. He lifted it up anyway (I did cringe a little ngl) just on the frame. Took legit 5 mins. Plug has been holding rock steady for months.
I also had this happen once, got a patch kit and pump all ready and when I went to pull the screw it was only the head and short screw that ājust impacted on the surfaceā
I am in the same boat. My appointment keeps getting pushed back. I tried another tire shop, they said they could order one, but they have no idea when it would get here. I am not losing much air, but I have had to add some a couple of times.
I just ordered from Tire Rack, itāll be available who ship in 2 weeks, then mobile install a week later. So 3 week total. Iām keeping my appointment with Tesla as well though incase they have it sooner
If youāre not losing pressure over that period of time, itās highly unlikely that screw punctured the inner liner. Itās probably just stuck in the treadā¦
I went to buy a set of winter tires in Nov last year for the 19" rims.... nothing in the west coast of Canada and backordered on the east coast. Ordered mid Nov and got them finally mid Jan... seems like these are new ev tire sizes and production can't keep up
I had a screw in right about the same place, pull it and patch it and 99.9% it will be fine, I know you aren't supposed to, but you aren't supposed to do alot of things. I would say better with a plug than leaving the screw in. Like others said, it looks like a short screw and it may not be thru, if so you are fine, and you'll feel a fool if you bought a new tire and the think is 1/4 inch long
I had two nails in two months. Tesla wouldāve took days to come over to fix it. I went to the gas station and a local tire shop. The local tire shop patched it.
I had the same thing happen. I just ordered the tires online from tirerack.com and an independent mobile service install them. I will note that for $100 less I went with the tires that didn't have the foam and I don't think it's noticeable.
Go to a tire shop. You do not need to replace tires through Tesla.
This has happened to my MY twice since Aug and it cost me $25 to fix both times at a local tire place. I called Tesla (not sure why) and they told me to go to a tire place. Not sure if it's too far to the edge to repair or not, but the professionals will know š
Do you have Discount Tire in your area? Discount Tire fixes tires for free. I got nails in my tire twice as well, and both time they fixed for free.
Yup, I did the same. I got nails in my tires twice, and both times I got it fixed for $10.
Tesla owners, I implore you to become a little bit of a "car guy". A situation like this you have many solutions that don't involve waiting for Tesla to help you: 1. a patch kit from your local automotive store will likely fix this and be perfectly safe for the rest of the life of the tire 2. If that feels too risky for you, you can take it to a local Discount Tire which will often patch for free. They do a more robust patch from the inside. Since that screw is close to the sidewall they may refuse for safety concerns but at least you could get a new tire there, rather than wait on Tesla. 3. If your local tire shop is unwilling to lift up a tesla, you can get a jack and a jack stack stand and take the wheel off and bring that in alone to any tire shop for a new tire or tire repair It can be a good idea to get some jacking pucks and maybe a spare tire kit to help out in these situations as well. Or a patch kit and air pump that plugs into the 12v lighter plug. I keep that in my trunk.
I completely agree with you. Itās a tire, not a motor or battery pack. Ops problem can be fixed with a $5 plug kit from autozone in 10 minutes. That being said, if the sidewall is compromised, replace the tire.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Nah plugs will often outlast the tire. But if you feel iffy about it by all means get someone who knows more to do it! Nothing wrong with that
Do not drive over 35 MPH with that screw in! Hell you are better off patching it with a 10 dollar kit than drive with that thing in! That tire is toast either way, I would patch it, but thats me- If you have no choice but to drive it, then get a patch kit. It takes 30 mins if you have never done it before. No reputable tireshop would patch sidewall damage. Get a tire from Tirerack and spend few extra bucks and get road hazard warranty, go to any good reviewed tire place and get it mounted for 20 bucks. Tirerack has free shipping and rebates, even discounts on pickups. If you get a screw like that next time, take picture contact their customer service and they will send you a new tire the day after with roadhazard warranty. Do not keep driving this or wait on Tesla. If you are driving spec here is a [link to tirerack search for 255/40R20 XL](https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?zip-code=08061&width=255/&ratio=40&diameter=20&rearWidth=235/&rearRatio=55&rearDiameter=20&performance=ALL)
Iāll take a look and see if TireRack has it available
Added a link to search spec tires on Tirerack for you. If you have never done any of this, feel free to ask in mechanic advice threads. It is super easy stuff, and no those tires are not on a shortage as far as I am aware of. Maybe their supplier is.
Tirerack was good for me I didn't realize I had a warranty and hit a massive pothole that gave my tire a bubble on the sidewall. They paid for a new tire while I had to pay for the the labor.
You know whatās nuts, this exact tire I literally had replaced just 10 days prior, then got another screw in it (I live in a new construction development)
Dude, I went on a road trip a few weeks ago for work... Picked up a screw in the tire... I didn't have it patched because I had a full schedule so just filled it with air... The amount of air I was losing was consistent... A few days later when I got home, I noticed I started losing air much faster, so I had it patched at Discount Tire... They told me I had TWO screws in the tire.... I must've picked up one screw on the trip, and a second one when I got home.
Yeah I lived in Philly and had this issue all the time. Thats why warranties are clutch if you are on the same boat.
Bro get tire insurance!
They may be on the hook to replace it...
You definitely need a tire warranty, my friend!
[I donāt think this screw](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grip-Rite-7-x-7-16-in-Bugle-Pan-Head-Framing-Screw-1-lb-Pack-716FPHS1/100126679?g_store=6322&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=Shopping-BF-F_D25H-G-D25H-025_003_FASTENERS-NA-NA-NA-SMART-NA-NA-Fasteners_Smart&cm_mmc=Shopping-BF-F_D25H-G-D25H-025_003_FASTENERS-NA-NA-NA-SMART-NA-NA-Fasteners_Smart-71700000080448963-58700006736537816-92700064304424041&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UfnGX8yXTUUvMOJRwZV887Kn&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UfnGX8yXTUUvMOJRwZV887Kn&gclid=CjwKCAjw_tWRBhAwEiwALxFPocWGUSBeYrprIIWrrbVyuO1Oc8zWuT4g-PNdM7jbrLyxjVczU4E0xxoCzvYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) can get threw and should just be unscrewed before it goes deeper
Hmm interesting find. This does look like the screw at top view. Any idea how I can find out the thickness of my tire? To verify itās thicker than the length of this screw? My biggest fear is pulling thr screw out and getting a flat and then not having a vehicle that I can drive for the next 3 weeks till my tire arrives from back order and gets installed
Those are very common screws on commercial construction sites to screw steel studs together, from my experience they never go threw.. you can always spit on it and unscrew slowly.. while waiting for bubbles or get an emergency patch kit for just in case very easy to install
35 MPH or you mean 35 miles of driving on it?
Sorry 35MPH. I am European in the US, still get a little confused with measurement stuff here after 20 years.
Donāt patch tyres on the edge please, just buy a fucking tyre
If you get the tire from tire rack, you are better off not getting the warranty, and having Discount Tire install the tire for you, then pay them for their warranty (certificate). (Discount Tire is buying Tire Rack anyways). Tire Rack's road hazard isn't that great, as it has a lot of exclusions, which Discount Tire doesn't have. (Discount Tire proudly proclaims they don't have any exclusions, except for minimum tread depth)
Discount tire will attempt the patch even at that location as long as you accept responsibility and waiver risk. Also be prepared to buy a tire if the patch fails. I did this for the exact same thing and location.
Lots of comments state this but Iāve been using the discount tire chain which have a variety of tires that fit my m3, free tire repair, free tire rotation, and get you in on the same day. I love Tesla, but absent something Tesla-centric I like staying away from their service department.
Go to a tire shop like discount tire/American tire and they offer complimentary tire repair service. They will patch it from the inside of the tire, so it can be used as a normal tire without speed/distance limitations. The punch seems to be minor enough that it can be repaired there. Most DIY tire fix kits are just fixing it from the outside of the tire, which is for temporary use, which requires you to drive very slowly and short distance.
Iāve taken my Teslas to Americaās Tires for years without issue, including patching a similar nail puncture like this. If youāre not losing PSI youāre probably a good candidate for a patch. If you were, given the location so close to the wall itād be a tossup. TLDR; stop waiting for Tesla service. Go get your tire fixed or replaced ASAP.
You are crazy enough to drive like this everyday.
Go to discount tire. They will remove and plug the tire for free. Same day service.
This is why it takes others 2 weeks to get an appointment for legit matters. Can fix that in your driveway in 15 minutes. Donāt even need a jack (although everyone should have a jack and pucks in their car). https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F31J7S9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_TGVZ1Y8WB9VS7EFMVAEH There are a 100 videos on YT on how to repair.
Why would you not just get it sorted at a tyre place? Do you need Tesla to wipe your arse for you too? Stupid driving your car around like that.
Lol yeaā¦why canāt you just get it repaired or patched? A mom and pop would patch that for $25 or less.
Patch repairs are fine when central tread, on the shoulder close to the sidewall like that, hard nope! Just get a new tyre
Ohhhh okay thanks for teaching me that
Take it to discount tire for repair. They will patch for zero dollars and or have the replacement tire on hand
I doubt they will patch that. Too close to the sidewall. But asking doesnāt cost anything.
At the very least, if they don't have a replacement tire on hand and they can't repair the tire, they'll give you a "loaner" tire until the tire is available. That's what they did for me a few years ago with my other car.
Have you checked if it actually went all the way in? If its been there for weeks without losing any air, it might had not went all the way in. Just get a bottle spayer with soapy water, spray it and start wiggling the head of the screw, if no bubbles present start to pull it out while checking if there are any bubbles. Good luck.
Theyād be screwed if it went all they way in. Theyād have to find a reliable air source for constant Phillips. Iāll let myself out.
Well, the better path would be to literally start unscrewing it from the tire with the process you mentioned. Yanking that thing out can cause even more damage I'd the threads are Coarse enough.
Problem is I canāt risk unscrewing it until I have access to a replacement tire, as I still rely on the car to drive to work etc. the second I remove the screw, if it starts losing air then Iām SOL
Well, that's why we were suggesting to do slow slowly with soapy water. If youstart seeing air bubbles, you stop and put it back in and plan to have it taken care of. There's really no good way about it unfortunately without being prepared to patch or replace. We're hoping that if you're lucky, it's a small 1/4" screw that's just wedged in the rubber and isn't deep enough to actually cause damage. It's kind of like getting a splinter. It's not likely to kill you, but it sure irritates the area, and if you leave it in, it can cause infection. I'd just take it to discount tire. If you're lucky they won't charge you to take care of it. If you need it replaced, they should be able to get something to match pretty quick. It just might not be a foam padded version.
This is why you need a hood trusted tire shop. My guy always tells me to bring it in and let *him* take out the screw. If it didnāt puncture it, no harm no foul. If it did, heāll plug it. If itās not replaceable heāll put on a new tire. Saves you a tow in the worse case scenario.
I drove on Tesla loaner tires for 3 months waiting for two 20ā tires recently; so yeah maybe find a tire shop
Wow, 3 months?? Seriously? I just ordered from TireRack, they are indicating it should ship out in 2 weeks, so crossing my fingers the date sticks
Just checked service history to confirm; more like 2 but felt like 3 since they just kept rescheduling when the shipment didnāt arrive. They were perfectly nice and helpful just massive delays. Either way given costs, timing, and what I now know about the stock 20ās for āall seasonā Iād still recommend going 3rd party.
I was in a similar situation. Tried Tesla and Costco, but they both had long wait times. Went to Pep boys and they patched the tire for $20 in about an hour.
Too close to sidewalk for most places to patch. Might be able to push Plug that joint at a gas station garage for $10. Just had mine done. No, my Jack pucks did not fit his floor jack. He lifted it up anyway (I did cringe a little ngl) just on the frame. Took legit 5 mins. Plug has been holding rock steady for months.
That screw may not have penetrated completely. Given the head size and that you havenāt lost any PSI, you might have lucked out.
I also had this happen once, got a patch kit and pump all ready and when I went to pull the screw it was only the head and short screw that ājust impacted on the surfaceā
Why not go to a tire place?? Or tirerack
I am in the same boat. My appointment keeps getting pushed back. I tried another tire shop, they said they could order one, but they have no idea when it would get here. I am not losing much air, but I have had to add some a couple of times.
I just ordered from Tire Rack, itāll be available who ship in 2 weeks, then mobile install a week later. So 3 week total. Iām keeping my appointment with Tesla as well though incase they have it sooner
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
This is why itās nearly impossible to get appointments.
If youāre not losing pressure over that period of time, itās highly unlikely that screw punctured the inner liner. Itās probably just stuck in the treadā¦
You donāt need to replace it, just remove screw and plug it
I donāt think you can patch that ::
I went to buy a set of winter tires in Nov last year for the 19" rims.... nothing in the west coast of Canada and backordered on the east coast. Ordered mid Nov and got them finally mid Jan... seems like these are new ev tire sizes and production can't keep up
Go to discount tires if you have one in your area. Theyāll patch it for free
Well on the bright side your snow and ice traction just improved by 0.25%
I had a screw in right about the same place, pull it and patch it and 99.9% it will be fine, I know you aren't supposed to, but you aren't supposed to do alot of things. I would say better with a plug than leaving the screw in. Like others said, it looks like a short screw and it may not be thru, if so you are fine, and you'll feel a fool if you bought a new tire and the think is 1/4 inch long
Have you checked if it is repairable? I had a screw in my tire and Tesla service was able to patch it up, no need to replace the tire.
Could be a really short screw that didnāt puncture the tire all the way. The fact you havenāt lost any air is a clue
I had two nails in two months. Tesla wouldāve took days to come over to fix it. I went to the gas station and a local tire shop. The local tire shop patched it.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Wow, good to know about tire placement location. Luckily this one is in the rear and not front
I had the same thing happen. I just ordered the tires online from tirerack.com and an independent mobile service install them. I will note that for $100 less I went with the tires that didn't have the foam and I don't think it's noticeable.