Went to Firestone to patch one of my street tires and they ripped the inside sidewall of my P-Zero with their machine. The tires have about 5/32" tread while a new P-Zero will have 11/32" tread. This will certainly throw off the balance of the car at highway speeds. The counter person said the manager would call me on Monday to discuss what they'll do. What can I expect other than a major screw job? Any experience out there getting either a new pair or a new set of tires after the tire shop fubar'd your single tire?

 

I would demand they replace the P-Zero. Sidewall rips are irreparable, and the whole tire must be replaced, no questions. I'd go all the way up Firestone's chain of command to get that done. With Firestone's recent bad press with their SUV tires shredding to pieces, I don't imagine you'll get much resistance from the "home office".

 

You say you have 5/32 tread left so that would be 3/32 usable tread? right. Law requires you to have a minimum 2/32 to be a good legal tire to use even though that still sucks in the rain. Anyway, back to my point. Your tire is close to retiring(no pun intended). I've never run any pirelli's but I have run some Bridgestone Pole Position S02's. You might want to consider a new set at a discounted price(they did ruin one of your tires) or atleast two tires to keep them matched front or rear. That way the manager keeps a customer happy and you get a good price on some new tires. This is all dependant on whether or not you can afford new tires. If your like me you have budget eveything past the wife and new tires would get me laughed at. Anyway good luck.

Is anyone confused now? I am.

 

The P-Zeros are $136 a piece. They offered one P-Zero for $68 to replace the tire they cut; three P-Zeros for $300 to make the matching set. They pickup mounting and balancing all four. I took 'em up on the deal. Wife wasn't pleased -- just put Hoosiers on the other set of rims and the water pump on the truck just went out!

 

I'd be happy with that deal!