Attention SRT8 Owners

[JMone]

I was driving home from work the other night, about to pull onto the throughway ramp, and all of a sudden I heard a slapping sound against the left side of my car. I pull over, use my cell phone as light, and walk the perimeter of the car looking for the source. Under my driver side front wheel well, I found some plastic tie/rope (the kind they use for shipping boxes). Attached the the tie was a hook and it was in the tire. I had to remove it even though I knew air would start coming out because of the plastic wrapping attached to it. Immediately the sound of air was noticed so I walked to my trunk, got out the stock compressor, hooked it up and began to fill the tire. The 'fix-a-flat' type liquid also came out along with the air. Air stopped coming out. Great...ready to roll. I drove conservatively back home and let it sit for the night.

Next day I took the car to a Tires Plus since it was relatively close to where I work. I was under the impression I could just go and get a plug, and $20 be off and on my merry way. Not the case. The tech there checked for the leak, couldn't find it because of the liquid seal in the compressor and asked if I added any 'fix-a-flat'. I mentioned I used whatever was in the compressor. He said that the design for these cars is flawed, and that the liquid can damage the tire sensors and it's happened to a bunch of his customers. So instead of a simple plug, I had to buy a new F1 Supercar tire + installation = $353. Then the sensor was going to be $120+, but thankfully there were able to remove it in time, clean it off really well, and got it working fine.

So here is my suggestion. Get AAA, pay the extra $10-20/year to get the extended tow service (they'll tow your car just about anywhere, regardless of the miles) and next time you get a flat, call them. Do not use the compressor.

[Rambit]

Yep. A well known issue. Never use that crap.

Bernie

[kevenj]

Originally Posted by JMone

So instead of a simple plug, I had to buy a new F1 Supercar tire + installation = $353. Then the sensor was going to be $120+,

First of all I agree not to use that stuff unless you really have no other choice. However I think your tire dealer ripped you off.

Instead of a plug (I wouldn't want a plug anyway) why couldn't they patch the tire from the inside after they cleaned all the goo out? Sure it's more labor than just plugging from the outside, but it would have saved you the $350 cost of a tire.

And NAPA has the tire pressure sensors now, they are about $40.00 each.

[NM08SRT8]

Originally Posted by kevenj

First of all I agree not to use that stuff unless you really have no other choice. However I think your tire dealer ripped you off.

Instead of a plug (I wouldn't want a plug anyway) why couldn't they patch the tire from the inside after they cleaned all the goo out? Sure it's more labor than just plugging from the outside, but it would have saved you the $350 cost of a tire.

And NAPA has the tire pressure sensors now, they are about $40.00 each.

Really good to know about NAPA...

So on the 2008's, is this still the case? I want to know what to do so I can bring it up to the dealer when I order my car and maybe get compensated for this or something... Any tips? I hope I'm not threadjacking. If I am, just ignore my question.

Thanks in advance!