Road side assistance - limit and aggravation

[conipc]

Flat tire. Ordered the replacement from Discount, special order for 5BW, arrival in 3 days. Now, Roadside to get my car to the tire shop. Nope, only free to the dealer which is 75 miles from me, and who won't have the tire. If I want, I can pay Roadside to take the car15 miles to Discount. No exceptions in the policy. So, pay local top notch service to take it to Discount which had the tire a day early and got the car on the road in 3 hours. Complication was that my wheel lock key was damaged. Discount dealt with that, and I will be getting the other 3 off with the special tool on the way to me.

So the question is: what is "assistance about this?"

 

[piranha971]

Its only useful for warranty issues. Had the same situation with our BMW (tire sidewall got cut on a railroad crossing). Paid for a tow to Discount Tire and then immediately added roadside to my insurance policy.

 

[Ty88]

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[ngoni]

Roadside insurance coverage. Should get. Next time.

 

[Finally-a-V]

Was this Onstar/GM/Cadillac roadside? When I blew out my tires in CA last year, Onstar (which I don't have, or at least don't pay for) was truly my saving grace. Found me a tow, got me to a dealer. I changed which dealer to be towed to and paid extra for it (40 bucks?), but it made my life easier as it was closer to my hotel, and the dealer could get the tires faster. I really don't have any complaints about it.

 

[CBH]

Its not just warranty. When I hit the rock and busted my rim, they came and got me. Same policy though - only free to nearest dealer. Luckily for me, that was still nearly 3 hours away, but they came anyway. Here's the whole story:

Thread 'Having a great time...........till I broke it !!'

Apr 2, 2023

2 weeks ago I was chasing a buddy of mine who just got a new C8 - even the same color. After we had lunch at the Bent Rim Grill.........ironically...

• CBH
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Blackwing General Discussion

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I also asked about prices for alternatives. They'll do it, but its prohibitively expensive. I was just happy the Cadillac dealer in San Antonio was able to get the rim. They had a price match guarantee on the tire. But of course, they had a $75 installation fee I didn't expect.

In all, given how far I was from home and any dealer, I was very happy with the result.

 

[piranha971]

I dont want my car going to the dealer for anything I am paying for.

 

[Finally-a-V]

I dont want my car going to the dealer for anything I am paying for.

I get that....but, when you're "broken down" and hundreds or thousands of miles away from home and who/what you know, and don't know anything or anyone locally, I guess I'm going to a dealer. I'm not sure if Cadillac Road Service would tow you to "joe's garage". That's actually a good question. If I'm near home base, yup, I can get to my "local guy", but stranded and hundreds of miles away, you're at the mercy of others. I think I'll trust a dealer. Maybe if somethings wrong you have more leverage than when "Joe" screws up your car.

 

[+ManifoldPSI]

Flat tire. Ordered the replacement from Discount, special order for 5BW, arrival in 3 days. Now, Roadside to get my car to the tire shop. Nope, only free to the dealer which is 75 miles from me, and who won't have the tire. If I want, I can pay Roadside to take the car15 miles to Discount. No exceptions in the policy. So, pay local top notch service to take it to Discount which had the tire a day early and got the car on the road in 3 hours. Complication was that my wheel lock key was damaged. Discount dealt with that, and I will be getting the other 3 off with the special tool on the way to me.

So the question is: what is "assistance about this?"

Was the wheel lock key already damaged, or did Discount Tires damage it during this episode?

I have never seen the "circular angled teeth" wheel lock key in all my years of working with wheel lock keys, so I'm a bit skeptical of it. Maybe it's an older style of lock?

 

[Bald Guy]

Stuff happens unfortunately. Pothole got my tire badly on my previous Honda Civic type r and I had to replace entire tire which was a pretty penny. Got another nail on my c8 z06 with z07 package and semi track tires but I got lucky this time and the repair got me taken care of. Just be careful out there. Watch out for potholes (parking lots especially) and stay away from construction areas. Wheelock keys are important so make sure you try to take care of those and don't misplace. I can only share my side of the story and I understand every experience will be different. All we can do is be proactive and prepare ahead of time as much as possible.

 

[conipc]

Was the wheel lock key already damaged, or did Discount Tires damage it during this episode?

I have never seen the "circular angled teeth" wheel lock key in all my years of working with wheel lock keys, so I'm a bit skeptical of it. Maybe it's an older style of lock?

Lockkey was distorted in the key content section, DT was able to remove the log lug nut. You can google the tool set for removing nuts without the key--available to everyone, including wheel thieves so locks are only for honest people and owners with the key! Removal can be accomplished by pounding on a 12point socket or with that tool set. The 22 mm special socket with teeth works perfectly but you need a heavy hammer to drive it!

 

[sonny200]

Sorry to hear about your trials. I have a Modern Spare that takes up a significant amount of trunk space (but the peace of mind it provides me is worth it) & AAA Premium Family plan that provides a 100 mile tow free of charge (for me & all my family members on the plan). I also have Roadside Assistance as part of my Comprehensive Ins but I've read any time that it is used, the ins co counts it as a claim against you. Therefore, AAA. YMMV. I'd check with your insurance company to see how they handle any roadside asst events.