Yesterday, my driver side wheel cover came loose while driving out of my office parking lot. I pulled over and heard a whoosh sound coming from the driver side tire. I noticed that the wheel cover ruptured the tire sidewall. Now, I have to figure out whether Yokohoma will replace the tire or take up the matter with Toyota. What sucks is that I always wanted to take off the wheel covers and put a center cap in place as many of the PC owners have done but kept delaying it. Just wanted to vent out a bit and advise Gen III owners about this issue.
In all honesty, I think the causality is backwards on this one. As much as I would like to believe, for the sake of your pocketbook, the wheelcover was responsible for the puncture, it doesn't make sense. In order for a sidewall to be cut, it would need to become entrapped between two objects. The wheelcover has nothing to "push" against while driving in order to cause the rupture. I believe you will find that it was the sudden deflation of the tire which caused the wheelcover to come off.
The answer is neither. The vehicle doesn't come with a road hazard warranty...you'll be on your own with this one and rightfully so. If it truly was the wheel cover that tore the tire (which I also think is really unlikely) its a freak thing and not Yokohama or Toyota's responsibility...
Thanks for the assessment. It could very well be true. But the dealer and I determined this morning that most probably it is the wheel cover. The cover has a slight crack and protrusion that punctured the sidewall. We think the blame goes to the countless deep potholes here in the downtown Dallas area that are difficult to keep away from however hard you try. That's life I guess..... The good thing is that the wheel covers protected my wheels. So, I have changed my mind of taking them off. Also, I only had to pay for a new tire (the dealer waived the cost of the cover after sympathizing with me). Just a word of advise to all Gen III owners with 15" tires. Please keep a close eye on the wheel covers after you get into a deep pothole!!!
Sorry, you're SOL here, OEM tires don't have a warranty of any kind. Unless you were moving back and forth over the same spot, how can a tire run over its own wheel cover?
Indeed, it was a freak thing but it definitely was the wheel cover (please refer my previous post). Thanks.
You didn't tell us originally that the wheel cover had been previously damaged and jagged by you hitting a pothole. That makes a lot more sense.
40PSI front/38PSI rear works well for ride and FE balance. Anything much higher will improve FE, but make ride much worse (and could adversely affect braking and cornering).
Also be mindful of the fact that, with too high a pressure, that same pothole will cause tire damage as well. Without enough flex, belts break.
General rule of thumb: Higher pressures protect the wheel (or wheel cover) but put the tires at risk; Lower pressures protect the tire but can lead to wheel damage. Tires are a lot cheaper than wheels.
