Firestone tried to rip me off over TPMS

[veedubfreak]

Discount repairs your tires for free because they know it will get you to at the very least come back to them to look at new tires when you are due.

[Ol'Rattler]

Originally Posted by Dunno513

$10 is a completely reasonable fee for plugging a tire. Any more is a complete rip. Some shops "require" them to remove the tire to put a patch which they claim is the "ONLY" way to do it right.

Best thing to do is carry a good plug kit. The key to telling the good ones from the bad ones... the more disgusting they look, the better they are.. Stay away from the neatly packaged ones. They dry out way to fast and don't stick to crap.

Probably because patching with a plug is illegal in most places.

I don't think I've ever been offered a plug repair by a tire shop.

[AlcoC420]

So that I am clear on this, we have a 2010 JSW TDI. Does it use ABS (and not pressure sensors within the wheels) to signal the TPMS? Thank you.

[Just Adam]

Originally Posted by P0234

The car industry is full of crooks. What do you think happened to the kids in school that never paid attention to anything except stealing went? Most aren't working at NASA.

That's a pretty broad brush you're painting with.

[dieseldorf]

Originally Posted by AlcoC420

So that I am clear on this, we have a 2010 JSW TDI. Does it use ABS (and not pressure sensors within the wheels) to signal the TPMS? Thank you.

• Rubber valve stems = sensor-less system
• Metal valve stems = in-wheel, sensor-based system

[MonsterTDI09]

Originally Posted by AlcoC420

So that I am clear on this, we have a 2010 JSW TDI. Does it use ABS (and not pressure sensors within the wheels) to signal the TPMS? Thank you.

Yes you have pressure sensors. There is way to change it using VCDS to use the ABS system.I wish they would show the pressure readings for each tire that would be cool.

[P0234]

Originally Posted by Just Adam

That's a pretty broad brush you're painting with.

Always exceptions to the rule, but I have a lot of friends in the car repair industry.

[showdown 42]

The best approach is an informed consumer, like Sy Syms use to say. For those of you NEasterners. I have too many issues over the yrs to list them,but you need to build a list of trustworthy resources in all areas where you have to buy things. Buyer beware! JP

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by showdown 42

The best approach is an informed consumer, like Sy Syms use to say.

That made me . Haven't thought of him in years. Searched his name, and he passed away in 2009.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sy_Syms

[Cogen Man]

Originally Posted by AlcoC420

So that I am clear on this, we have a 2010 JSW TDI. Does it use ABS (and not pressure sensors within the wheels) to signal the TPMS? Thank you.

It uses ABS. Called indirect TPMS.

Originally Posted by dieseldorf

• Rubber valve stems = sensor-less system
• Metal valve stems = in-wheel, sensor-based system

dieseldorf is correct.
An easy visual way to determine indirect or direct TPMS.

[AlcoC420]

Thanks everyone -- we have metal valve stems. :-(

[RomanL]

just wondering, did you actually check the wheel that they patched by.:
by any chance did they install a brand new TPMS sensor???
who knows the tech could have thought that you were suppose to have it and installed it from their stock, in which case you got it a a discount

[veedubfreak]

If they installed a new sensor they'd have charged him 75+.

[lonniebear]

the charge was to 'rebuild' the sensor. given that no sensor exist, that's kind of hard to do.

[aja8888]

Originally Posted by lonniebear

like a said, discount will usually do it for free. it's just a good business move. they aren't paying the kid by the job, he's getting paid whether he's fixing my flat or standing around. only thing it cost them is the patch kit. and out of it, i buy my tires there.

I've been buying all our tires at Discount Tire for 20 years, and we had 5 cars running most of the time (4 cars now). I got to know the Manager of the local store pretty well, we play golf together in local benefit tournaments. They have treated me well over the years and I will continue my relationship with them, even if Tire Rack and others are a bit lower in price, etc.

In this economy, it's a good idea to maintain good relationships with local businesses if you want consistently good service.