Blowout on the PA Turnpike/No Ford roadside assistance

[hermans]

I just returned for a 2,300 mile trip with the FFH. About 40 miles into my trip, on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I had a major blowout on the right rear @ 4AM. This is a 17" Michelin LRR tire. I called for Ford Roadside Assistance and they refused to respond. To be fair neither would AAA. Turns out the only assistance available are the ones that the Turnpike Authority has "contracted" with.

 

I'm so happy that I got rid of the "Tire Mobility Kit" and bought the spare tire package so I was on my way after putting my spare on.

 

When I followed up with Ford Roadside Assistance. They said they might have reimbursed by any costs I incurred. The State Farm safety vehicle driver said the PA Turnpike will not allow him to assist in tire changes. They are very limited in what they can do to help.

 

BTW...44.4 MPG for the entire trip with major mountains and mostly limited access highway use at 70 MPH and AC use most of the way.

 

 

[Griswald]

Good old PA Turnpike Commission, the most corrupt orginization in the country. I knew a worker that told me you had to change your voting registration party to even be considered for a job with them. If the party in charge was voted out you had to change it to the party in charge at the time.

 

The mafia of transportation...

[jsolan]

Thanks for sharing, I never knew that. It's completely ridiculous. We travel the turnpike quite a bit and never even considered that AAA wouldn't be able to help.

[hermans]

Back from the dealer. The claim has been submitted through Ford (they are an authorized tire dealer) to Michelin. Dealer seemed to think it would be covered as there was no puncture...just a blown out sidewall.

[Texasota]

Glad you had your spare tire kit. You just received your return on your investment.

 

It seems ridiculous to me that Ford eliminated the spare tire in the FFH. Ford should at least offer the spare tire kit as optional equipment. The way it is now anyone who wants to be proactive must undertake a search mission to locate one in a salvage yard, somewhere online like ebay, or order the entire kit at a very high price through a ford dealer.

[darrelld]

Glad you had your spare tire kit. You just received your return on your investment.

 

It seems ridiculous to me that Ford eliminated the spare tire in the FFH. Ford should at least offer the spare tire kit as optional equipment. The way it is now anyone who wants to be proactive must undertake a search mission to locate one in a salvage yard, somewhere online like ebay, or order the entire kit at a very high price through a ford dealer.

 

It is ridiculous considering competitors like the Honda Accord Hybrid give you a spare tire option. My step daughter is trading her Golf TDI soon and loves my FFH but she prefers the VW Jetta Hybrid because they give you a spare tire as standard equipment.

Edited July 25, 2014 by darrelld

[Silver Bullet]

Hermans' experience sure makes me glad I made use of this forum and spent $155 to equip my '14 FFH with a spare, jack, etc.

I sure understand darrelld's step daughter's reasoning. I can't help but wonder how many sales of FFH's and MKZH's Ford has lost because of this one issue.

[Waldo]

. I can't help but wonder how many sales of FFH's and MKZH's Ford has lost because of this one issue.

 

I'll bet you could count them all on your two hands.

[GrySql]

I'll bet you could count them all on your two hands.

+1

I'd never owned a car without a spare tire before buying the FFH and never considered it.

I thought a Tire Mobility Kit was a tricky Ford marketing name for a spare tire.

We early adopters had a lot to learn.....

Edited July 25, 2014 by GrySql