Just get a valve core tool. You can empty all four tires in seconds. No need to permanently damage the tires but also he'll need to take the car to a shop to get the valve cores replaced easily (unless he's a car guy).
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCUHGGB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_1JNB57G82CM6GA02JMBG
>slashed tires
My friend in college carried a Valve Core Puller ($1.63 USD) in his car. I never saw him use it, but he said he had. When someone would park like an asshole, he said he would use the valve puller to remove the core, then would lay the core next to the tire. The tire would go flat very quickly, but no damage would be done. They would just need to get one of the same tools, put the core back in, then air it back up. Mostly just a costly lesson in time and hassle.
* I'm not a cop or lawyer; I'm just relating a college story. Perform these actions at your own risk. ;)
Motion Pro 08-0183 Valve Core Remover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KO84I0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gHdHCbBG215TH
Remove the valve stem cores. No permanent damage, but extremely annoying to deal with.
I would NEVER do this but I've thought about it :)
Look easily repairable.
Go to AutoZOne / ORiley or whateve rbox store auto store you have nearby and but a plug kit.
https://smile.amazon.com/Slime-1034-T-Handle-Tire-Plug/dp/B000ET525K
Dig out whatever it is, ream the hole with tool in kit, insert plug with other tool, cut off excess plug material.
No, but I think it's time all EV owners need to start carrying these in their vehicles with them from now on - Motion Pro 08-0183 Valve Core Remover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KO84I0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QfXmCbCF6BEE6
There are kits that you can buy. The first to is a rasp that you push in the hole to rough it up. Then there is a punch that you push the plug in with. The plug is a strip of spoungey reinforced rubber that is sticky; they give you some cement to put on it in and it folds over doubling up; when you extract, it cut then end of the plug in half. Cut the excess off with a razor blade and put a little more cement on it. It will last longer than the tire tread will on these tires. I have never had one fail.
This kit is $16, but it comes with a ton of plugs:
TOOLUXE 50002L Universal Heavy Duty Tire Repair Kit | 35 Piece | Repair Punctures and Plug Flats | Automotive | Ideal for Tires on Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, ATV https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002I52RG0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_94Y129KX18333ETYT7ZZ
You are supposed to take the wheel off of the car because the pressure is higher. I have done it without doing so, but it very difficult.
A kool stop tire bead jack is probably one of my favorite bike tools
I also bought a plug kit to keep it in my trunk. Hope I never have to use it. Nightmare scenario is to have a flat on a trip in the middle of nowhere. Does anyone have any experiences to share?
Something like this is going to be essentially the same as the one Tesla sells (minus Tesla branding)
Airman ResQ Pro+ tire repair kit ( https://www.amazon.com/ResQ-71-063-021-Tire-Repair-Compressor/dp/B00BJ2TBL2 )
I had the same issue back in 2010 with continental tires.. broke 2 bike lever so I ended up getting this.. Link saved me so much time!
Just depends on the manufacturer sometimes. Get a tire bead jack to keep in the back of your toolbox and forget about until you’re on the verge of tears trying to mount tires you spent way too much on to give up easily.
Thank you, I had to look up how to remove a valve core but it seems pretty straightforward. I'm currently looking at this
If it’s a puncture or slow leak in the tube, try some Slime. It works miracles. Even if you don’t use it on this tire, it can be used when you install the next one as a preventative measure. I just cross 500miles on a slime-repaired tube today. Hope that helps
Slime 10004 Tube Repair Sealant, 16 oz. (Bicycles, Dirt Bikes, All Tires with Tubes) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ENSRS0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SQBPXD4JXA34JPMNV5Y5
I forget exactly, but it’s one of those punch types. Temporary obviously, but should get you to a service center if the puncture is small and not on the sidewall. I have not tried it, so I may be deluding myself, but the placebo effect helps me too :)
https://www.amazon.com/Tooluxe-50002L-Universal-Punctures-Motorcycles/dp/B002I52RG0/
If it's a small hole (like a puncture from a nail or a screw) that's not on the sidewall, you can easily DIY it with a cheap repair kit from Amazon or from Walmart. If the hole is bigger than that, you'll need to get it replaced.
Replacing one tire is acceptable, replacing two is preferred so the wear and balance of the care are even. Suppose this were the right front tire, if you were to get two tires, you would also replace the right left (essentially as u/Recon_Figure is advising). If you decide to only replace the one tire, make sure it's the same general type (example: don't put one winter tire alongside 3 summer tires).
Tire alignment.....will depend. Some places say you should do it, others say it's unnecessary. I think it will depend on what the mechanic says, as well as your own budget and peace of mind.
I've run many, many patched tires. Learn to use the cat-turd plugs. You can get them at walmart or amazon. These things should be hard to put in and they will NOT come out. It helps (becomes possible) if you remove the valve core (and thus all the air) before trying to push the plug in from the outside. Use the rubber cement as lubricant, if it dries, you're not going to be able to push the plug in. The advantage is you do not have to remove the tire. I run them down to the belt after that, but never over 100mph (assuming it was a proper Z rated tire).
They aren't anyway. Mechanics hate them. Have a portable air compressor (that has a cig lighter cable) and rubber plugs. It's cheap and much safer.
From Amazon: Plug Kit
From Amazon: Air Compressor
I use the most basic slime kit but I can't seem to find it online, I think it's a one-off for auto parts stores. But the deluxe version is on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Slime-1034-T-Handle-Tire-Plug/dp/B000ET525K
It's also sold at Walmart and in many auto parts places. I think it's slightly cheaper in store and some places carry the kit without the rubber cement.
My insurance has roadside assist. I think ToyotaCare also has it. Then there is the kit they give you, and we also carry a small tire inflator (so handy!) and I have some tools to temporarily ream and fill a hole for temporary use -- they're super cheap (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ET525K)
It's easily enough to get out of most situations either by calling someone or a quick patch job then limp to the nearest garage. I'd probably opt to avoid getting gunk inside the tire.
Get yourself the Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack. Some tires are just more stubborn to get on. When I was having difficulty, even my LBS had to use this to get the tire on.
The MK7s have lug nuts that may as well be made of butter. You will eventually round one off, even while being careful. I recommend these:
https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Automotive-21133BC-Diameter-Thread/dp/B001O0AMZS
Gorilla's part number is 21133BC if you wanted to buy them elsewhere.
A good long, low-profile floor jack is a good investment too if you don't already own one.
I also bought smaller diameter wheels, but I would recommend driving the car to see if you can live with it. The OEM 17s don't have a lot of sidewall, so you get really sharp turn-in response and trade off a bit of comfort for it. This didn't work for me, as the roads in my city are too rough and I ended up bending a wheel in a pothole.
I'm still on the stock rear motor mount (RMM) until it gives, but I'll probably buy an aftermarket one if and when the time comes. I'm still on the stock drivetrain though, so I would totally recommend a stiffer one if you plan to mod.
Completely unrelated, but anyone annoyed by shit like this pic, these work amazingly well.
I offer you a free nugget of wisdom OP, a valve core removal tool is extremely cheap and it's extremely easy to use, you could carry one in your pocket even.
For only ~2 USD you can get a device that will render a tire useless until the valve core is replaced.
Really, I'm surprised this isn't a more common dick move. You can just stick one of these into a tire stem and twist, all the air escapes, you run away, and they can't even simply refill it.
Pedro’s for tire levers. I’m also a big fan of the Kool Stop tire bead jack Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack, Black https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Tire-Bead-Jack/dp/B001AYML7K/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=TH8586L6UD92&keywords=kool+stop+tire+bead+jack&qid=1669016854&sprefix=kool+stop+%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-2#