Bronco Sport Flat Tire Experience Using Ford Roadside Assistance

Last night, after putting out my garbage carts, was walking up my driveway and saw a big gray spot on the rear passenger tire of my Bronco Sport. As I got closer, saw that a bolt head was firmly against the back of the tire. I have the factory Continentals on my Big Bend. The bolt was in so tight, no air was leaking out. I didn't try to pull the bolt, did that once a few years ago and regretted big time. And being an older guy, didn't want to change the tire myself (didn't think it was a good idea to drive on it either). Pulled out my user manual and other doc's, and found the Ford Roadside Assitance. Called the number, a recording walked me through, basically everything was done via text messages. Did have to wait a little bit, since I was home was not a big deal. However, a two hour wait when you were on the road probably would not be pleasant.

Anyway, good news is the Bronco Sport has a full size spare, in case you have not noticed. Guy showed up, took off the damaged tire, and mounted the spare, no charge. As I was out driving this morning, the inflation warning went off. I have a tire inflation gauge, so I pulled over to check. The three original tires were at 34, which was good. The spare was at 40, that is probably what set off the alarm. I owned Toyota's and Honda's for the 20 years prior to the Bronco sport, the inflation warnings were going off all the time for no good reason. The spare won't be on for long, so I am not too worried about it.

Someone tried to slash mine got it good but I was able to get it to the dealer I'm surprised the tire didn't pop I'm impressed.

ImdaJesus said:

Someone tried to slash mine got it good but I was able to get it to the dealer I'm surprised the tire didn't pop I'm impressed.

Click to expand...

What the h$&& is wrong with people? Glad it was easily resolved.

I'm surprised the spare was at 40. I'm even more surprised that the spare included a TPMS. Are you sure the warning was about the spare? Now I have to go unpack the trunk and check mine...

BigBend said:

As I was out driving this morning, the inflation warning went off. I have a tire inflation gauge, so I pulled over to check. The three original tires were at 34, which was good. The spare was at 40, that is probably what set off the alarm.

Click to expand...

It's probable that the spare doesn't have the pressure monitor, most spares do not.

I always keep my spare 5 psi or more above the cold tire spec, simply because the spare doesn't get checked as often as the tires on the ground. Roadside, it's usually easier to let air out of a tire than put it in. Always carry a tire guage in the glove box.

I don't think the spare has a TPM or else the dash display would show five pressures instead of just four. With the spare on the ground, the TPM receiver at that location doesn't get a signal so it turns on the alarm. I don't believe that high pressure will excite the alarm.

The dirty little secret about the TPMs is that the battery in them is designed to last around 10 years. As each individual battery dies, the dash alarm sounds after 20 minutes without a TPM signal. Replacing them can cost upwards of $100 per wheel: $70-ish for the sensor, plus labor to dismount, re-mount and balance the tire. Yikes! Can be quite a surprise if you're not expecting it.

BigBend said:

Last night, after putting out my garbage carts, was walking up my driveway and saw a big gray spot on the rear passenger tire of my Bronco Sport. As I got closer, saw that a bolt head was firmly against the back of the tire. I have the factory Continentals on my Big Bend. The bolt was in so tight, no air was leaking out. I didn't try to pull the bolt, did that once a few years ago and regretted big time. And being an older guy, didn't want to change the tire myself (didn't think it was a good idea to drive on it either). Pulled out my user manual and other doc's, and found the Ford Roadside Assitance. Called the number, a recording walked me through, basically everything was done via text messages. Did have to wait a little bit, since I was home was not a big deal. However, a two hour wait when you were on the road probably would not be pleasant. Anyway, good news is the Bronco Sport has a full size spare, in case you have not noticed. Guy showed up, took off the damaged tire, and mounted the spare, no charge. As I was out driving this morning, the inflation warning went off. I have a tire inflation gauge, so I pulled over to check. The three original tires were at 34, which was good. The spare was at 40, that is probably what set off the alarm. I owned Toyota's and Honda's for the 20 years prior to the Bronco sport, the inflation warnings were going off all the time for no good reason. The spare won't be on for long, so I am not too worried about it.

Click to expand...

I haven’t looked but I was under the impression that only the Badlands had a full size spare for more serious off-road use?

YukiSport said:

Replacing them can cost upwards of $100 per wheel: $70-ish for the sensor, plus labor to dismount, re-mount and balance the tire. Yikes! Can be quite a surprise if you're not expecting it.

Click to expand...

That sounds like dealer price to be honest. I just bought 4 (newer valve stem type) new ones for less than $150 at Auto Zone. Tire shops around here charge about $15 per wheel to install including the programing. They can usually be installed by breaking the bead and just slipping them inside.

The older style band type require the tires dismounted and and new banding installed adding to the labor cost.

My advice would be to replace TPM sensors 5+ years old when replacing tires, cheap insurance and less hassle.

Weston52 said:

I haven’t looked but I was under the impression that only the Badlands had a full size spare for more serious off-road use?

Click to expand...

full size spare comes with Badlands and any model with trailer hitch I believe.

Fossil said:

That sounds like dealer price to be honest. I just bought 4 (newer valve stem type) new ones for less than $150 at Auto Zone. Tire shops around here charge about $15 per wheel to install including the programing. They can usually be installed by breaking the bead and just slipping them inside.

The older style band type require the tires dismounted and and new banding installed adding to the labor cost.

My advice would be to replace TPM sensors 5+ years old when replacing tires, cheap insurance and less hassle.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the update on cost. My experience was in 2018 on a 2008 Expedition. I’m very glad to learn that prices have come down. By nearly half! Still looking at $50 per wheel, which could shock some tire shoppers, but it’s now only half the shock.

Good idea to replace at 5 years. I actually like the TPMs and like having them working.

Weston52 said:

I haven’t looked but I was under the impression that only the Badlands had a full size spare for more serious off-road use?

Click to expand...

The full size spare comes with the trailer tow package on any bronco sport.

The spare in my BB is not a full sized spare.

While we’re talking spares, my Badlands was being combed over looking for the gas funnel (eventually found it under the owner’s manual in the glove box) and I noticed the spare has the steelies rim. Is it truly the same rim? I really wanted them but had to settle for dealer-ordered standard rims, at least for now

ImdaJesus said:

Someone tried to slash mine got it good but I was able to get it to the dealer I'm surprised the tire didn't pop I'm impressed.

Click to expand...

And to think they did that to daJesus….