Studying4boards

Hi,
I recently bought a 2003 Z06 (Black). Bought it with the intentions of it being a daily driver. Even took it on a semi-long trip to Maryland from NC.
Came home and a couple of days later, hit a sharp object on the road which cut the sidewall of my tire. (I don't have run-flats). It was only a couple of miles from home but when I got home, I saw the tire was completely out of air and there was a slit in the sidewall.
Now the car sits until my tire gets delivered. 295/35/18 is not a tire that most places stock.
What if this would have happened on a long trip? What advice can you all give me so I don't get stranded? C5s weren't offered with a spare tire, right?

2FAS4UU

One of the pitfalls of owning a C5 or later model. Some carry a donut tire, Ummm, I prefer to carry a flat tire kit and my cell phone. You will get a plethora of suggestions on this, and then you can make the 'call' which works for you brother, no pun intended !!

SG Lou

I keep a Plug kit in the back, along with a 12v compressor, Tyvek Suit, gloves. If I plan on going on a long trip I'll throw in a low profile jack and folding lug wrench. Get a sidewall puncture and all the stuff I mentioned is useless

dadaroo

A sidewall damage would most likely compromise a runflat from a safety standpoint.

For a slow/small leak you can get a 12 volt compressor to keep in the car.

If you had a spare you would still need the equipment to jack up the car and change a tire. Or, call some one to get it up for replacement.


Mr. Sam

JR-01

I use a can a inflator/sealer. It gets me home or to a shop. It has saved me several times in my other Corvette and my other cars. Takes 30 seconds to get back on the road. The problem with runflats, which they don't tell you, is if you drive any distance the structural integrity is gone and the tire needs to be replaced. Since tires have to be replaced in pairs, a simple puncture can cost you the price of two tires instead of 5 bucks for a can of sealer and 25 bucks to patch the tire..

Sidewall damage and blowouts, you will need a tow.

Wop1

I ran run flats for a few years, living with the noise and rough ride. When the time came to replace them, I decided as long as I have AAA and a cell phone, run flats are out.

tbrowne

It's the price you pay for driving an exotic car. A run-flat will only get you so far and then you have the same problem as a non run-flat. On a long trip, you'll have to wait for a tire to be delivered to wherever you may be, generally a couple of days at the most. There is also a good chance that a local tire shop will have used tire around that will get you home in a pinch. For me - it's worth the risk. Others must make their own decision.

3sACROWD

I drive my Z06 pretty extensively during the warm months (20k+ miles). I added TPMS to my car so I can keep track of tire pressures. It has helped on two ocassions. Cost is under $300. You have to buy the sensors, have them installed, and have someone turn the feature on in the computer. Well worth it in my opinion.

I also carry the inflator and plug kit.

sfc rick

Cell phone and call up my insurance for roadside service. If I have to stay overnight or whatever I just enjoy the extra time off. There are car rentals in case you have to wait a day or two. Make the best of it.

Studying4boards

Is there a donut tire available for a C5 and where would I buy one. That might be nice to have on a long trip.

Studying4boards

That is exactly what I got, a sidewall puncture.

Studying4boards

Thanks for the reply. No flat repair kit in my car. I do have an inflator which I'll start putting in my car.

Studying4boards

Yeah it would take up pretty much the whole trunk space.

Studying4boards

Wow, never thought about this issue before I bought the Vette. But after having had a flat, I'm stressing.

3sACROWD

Found the link to the procedure for the activation of the TPMS system in the Z06 computer.

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...13418432474531

IMXCITD

If I were anywhere near my house...I would limp the car back there and order a new tire....ship it somewhere close and just pull the wheel/tire and take it to the tire shop. If I were out of town.......I would be at the mercy of whatever tires shop I could get to and see if they have the tire in stock or had to order. I also have AAA as a back up...but that won't take care of not having a tire in stock locally. BTW....I also have another set of rims/tires at the house...so I could always slap something else on in a pinch.

Studying4boards

WOW..!

Studying4boards

That's exactly what happened to me. I was about 2 miles from home and my front tire hit the debris and made it fly and hit my rear tire. I was even unaware that the rear tire had been hit. The driving characteristics didn't even change and the car didn't swerve any. Upon getting home, I immediately ran to the front left tire to see if there had been any damage and to my relief there was none. Thinking I was lucky and having a big smile on my face, I went to shut the door and that is when I saw the rear tire. It was completely flat with a 2 inch tear in the sidewall. But the car behaved normally..!! My heart sank because the rear tires are so much wider and expensive. It was some sort of sharp tool, perhaps for brick masonry that must have fallen off some construction worker's truck. I have never cursed an unknown person so much for not tying up their cargo before.

But yeah, I got home. The car is parked and I ordered a tire. It should arrive by Friday and I'll take the rim off and have it mounted.

Wish there was a better solution than run flat tires. I definitely believe in spare tires. I've had a couple of flats in my life and only once have I had a tire shred.

Still thanking the lord that this happened in town and not while I was out of town a couple of days ago. So I guess I'm really lucky.

calvins

Cell phone and insurance with roadside service.

JR-01

This is a better solution. I even use it when I have a spare tire. Takes a minute to get back on the road and you don't have to wait hours for the service truck. It will get you home where you can remove the tire and take it to the shop to get patched or drive to the tire shop. Nothing easier. Turns a flat tire into no big deal. Not to mention you don't have to buy a new runflat tire.