Flat Tire on Morning of Checkout

[TBuss]

Hi everyone,

I just got back from my vacation on Saturday night (we had an AWESOME time). When we were bringing our suitcases out of our cabin at FW on the morning of our checkout (Saturday 10/21) we discovered that our rental car had a flat tire (completely flat). We called Disney's car service number and were told that they couldn't help us (is that because it was a rental car??). So, we called the rental car office (Dollar) and were told it would be at least an hour and all they would do is put the spare "donut" tire on our car. Since we had to check out and get to the airport, we decided to change the tire ourselves and return the car with the spare "donut" on it.

We had to fill out a form when we returned the car. I could barely understand the woman at the return area as she did not speak english very well and I have a hearing problem. In addition, my husband insists on being checked in at the airport at least 2 hours before our flight - so, if I had tried to resolve the issue then, he would have gone into convulsions. He said, "we'll deal with this when we get home" - which I believe was a mistake. Will I be charged for the tire?? Besides going back and forth to the airport, we only drove the car one other time. So, I tend to think that there was a slow leak that was there when I picked up the car - but who knows??

Anyone have any advice on how to handle this??


Thanks,
TBuss

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm not sure what else you have to do, unless the rental company tries to find you at fault, which is unlikely. You already reported the flat tire and had to change it yourself!

 

[bicker]

In my experience, it depends on the rental car company. I've had two instances of flat tires on the way to the airport to catch a flight home. Alamo tried to charge me for "damage" to the vehicle. Avis did not. (My company dealt with Alamo -- I don't really know how they resolved the dispute.)

 

[seashoreCM]

Normally you, the renter, are responsible for tire damage including punctures.

Punctures with only slow leaks might not be noticed upon return if you found a gas station with an air pump (hardly anybody bothers).

You would have done better to have someone inspect the airless tire for lack of obvious physical damage, and sign off on that fact, at return time.

On the few times I measured tire pressure on rental cars I usually found it low and this is probably why the gas mileage seemed so low for such small cars.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[owtrbnks]

Like a PP said, depends on the company.
That's why I always use Hertz . . . no problems.

P.S. Glad it didn't ruin your vacation!