Omen - Non-Runflat Road Repairs
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 569
Likes: 2
From: Corona CA
Omen - Non-Runflat Road Repairs
Curious as to how many who've switched to non-runflats have actually had to make emergency road repairs. I just bought non-runflats before my trip to Colorado next week and up to a week ago have never had a flat on the road in all my years of driving. Just had two flats within the week on my truck. Is this a sign or what?
Also any suggestions on a low profile scissor jack would be helpful.
Also any suggestions on a low profile scissor jack would be helpful.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 1
From: South of Indy
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Bad Karma
You have definitely picked up some bad karma ! Now, if you haven't already, pick up a plug kit with a screwdriver/pick, pliers, and small compressor so you can pull out the screw/nail/other item and plug it without removing the tire from the car, plug it and air it up until you can get to a proper tire center to get it fixed right. Good luck in the future....
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I found an all aluminum scissors jack on EBAY. It came oem on Mazda RX7 and Porsche cars. There's other designs out there made for BMW, but I thought this was more stable. It collapses down to about 3-3.5" tall, has the cranking handle and weight is less than 5#. Between the jack, a tire inflation kit, plugs and tools, I think I'm set. I always carried tools on my Harley and never needed to use them.
There's some on EBAY now, use keywords "Mazda RX7 aluminum scissors jack"
It looks exactly like this...
There's some on EBAY now, use keywords "Mazda RX7 aluminum scissors jack"
It looks exactly like this...
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jun 5, 2007 at 07:41 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 297
From: Sarasota Florida
I'm running Nittos. I have a small compressor and a plug kit. I don't carry a jack. If it's a small leak the compressor will inflate the tire enough for me to roll the car forward/back to expose the hole. If the compressor can't inflate the tire, it's a call to a flat bed.
Why, with no spare, would one need a jack?
Why, with no spare, would one need a jack?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,195
Likes: 2
From: ATL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
I'm thinking of making the move too.
I've seen the plug kits in Wallyworld as well as a "Slime" kit.
Yeah I know it will toast the TPS but it beats being stuck on the side of the road.
I've seen the plug kits in Wallyworld as well as a "Slime" kit.
Yeah I know it will toast the TPS but it beats being stuck on the side of the road.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 569
Likes: 2
From: Corona CA
I'm running Nittos. I have a small compressor and a plug kit. I don't carry a jack. If it's a small leak the compressor will inflate the tire enough for me to roll the car forward/back to expose the hole. If the compressor can't inflate the tire, it's a call to a flat bed.
Why, with no spare, would one need a jack?
Why, with no spare, would one need a jack?
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 266
Likes: 2
From: Alliston Ontario
If you are worried about getting a flat on long trips you might look into a space saver spare to put in the trunk. I beleive the GTO tire fits and others have purchased them on ebay for a decent price. Might be worth it for the piece of mind.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I had two nails in my OEM RFs in Vegas. Luckily I was close to the tire shop and had repairs done once and a new tire on the other occasion. I went with Michelin Pilot Sport ZPs for that reason.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 763
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside Ca
plug kit and compressor
I just took my Michelins on a 1,899 mile trip to Oregon and back. Prior to leaving I bought an inexpensive compressor and a plug kit. I also have a company car which had a slow leak in one of the tires. I tried the plug kit on the company car to see if the plug kit worked and it worked great still holding two weeks later! So now I have the plug kit and the compressor on board.
On highway 97 in Oregon I did hit a beautiful piece of split firewood on the highway. It was so big that it lifted the right side of the car up and did no damage that I could see! Hit that baby with both passenger side tires and no damage to the tires, nary a leak.
Go with the plug kit and the compressor
still holding two weeks later! So now I have the plug kit and the compressor on board.On highway 97 in Oregon I did hit a beautiful piece of split firewood on the highway. It was so big that it lifted the right side of the car up and did no damage that I could see! Hit that baby with both passenger side tires and no damage to the tires, nary a leak.
Go with the plug kit and the compressor
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
From: Campbell Ca
I've plugged over 20 tires over the years from family to friends and to the best of my knowledge, all are still holding up fine. As long as its a small nail or screw, a plug should work just fine. IMO. However, if its a piece of pipe or a large chunk of firewood, then you might want to use 2 plugs. 
I figure it this way, as long as I have a plug kit and a small air compressor in my trunk compartment, I'll never have a flat. But the moment I take it out of the car for some reason, I'll probably get hit with a lightening bolt. 
I figure it this way, as long as I have a plug kit and a small air compressor in my trunk compartment, I'll never have a flat. But the moment I take it out of the car for some reason, I'll probably get hit with a lightening bolt.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,266
Likes: 15
From: Syracuse NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I found an all aluminum scissors jack on EBAY. It came oem on Mazda RX7 and Porsche cars. There's other designs out there made for BMW, but I thought this was more stable. It collapses down to about 3-3.5" tall, has the cranking handle and weight is less than 5#. Between the jack, a tire inflation kit, plugs and tools, I think I'm set. I always carried tools on my Harley and never needed to use them.
There's some on EBAY now, use keywords "Mazda RX7 aluminum scissors jack"
It looks exactly like this...
There's some on EBAY now, use keywords "Mazda RX7 aluminum scissors jack"
It looks exactly like this...
You better carry a couple of 2x4's to drive the flat tire on... or just have the cell and AAA.
Anyway, I'll just stay with EMT's.
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Thankfully I haven't had any flats on the car in a long time and when I did, I had the runflats on. Mercedes makes a small jack that many forum members have bought for such emergencies.
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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St. Jude Donor '16
About 55K miles with no runflats..2 roadside fixes with plug kit only took about 10 min each time, had them both patched on the inside when I had time.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Kelowna British Columbia
Just switched to Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's and joined BCAA, premium version. Get two extended tows, out of six a year, up to 200 miles. I also carry a compressor for slow leaks.
That should cover it.
That should cover it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,092
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From: Deerfield VA
St. Jude Donor '07
I carry a radial plug kit and a cell phone, if it is a nail, when the tire goes soft to 25 psi, the DIC will chime and let me know. I roll the car forward, find the nail, stick in a plug. Drive the car slowly to the next exit at 20 psi,
get air at a filling station, and I'm on my way. I travelled 2000 miles in one week with non run-flats, and a radial plug kit, NO FEAR!!!!!!! THEY WORK GREAT!!!!! FAHGETABOUDIT, IT's no big DEAL!!
John
get air at a filling station, and I'm on my way. I travelled 2000 miles in one week with non run-flats, and a radial plug kit, NO FEAR!!!!!!! THEY WORK GREAT!!!!! FAHGETABOUDIT, IT's no big DEAL!!
John
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 201
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From: Lee's Summit Mo
St. Jude Donor '07
Sorry, didn't mean to hijack.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
I carry a radial plug kit and a cell phone, if it is a nail, when the tire goes soft to 25 psi, the DIC will chime and let me know. I roll the car forward, find the nail, stick in a plug. Drive the car slowly to the next exit at 20 psi,
get air at a filling station, and I'm on my way. I travelled 2000 miles in one week with non run-flats, and a radial plug kit, NO FEAR!!!!!!! THEY WORK GREAT!!!!! FAHGETABOUDIT, IT's no big DEAL!!
John
get air at a filling station, and I'm on my way. I travelled 2000 miles in one week with non run-flats, and a radial plug kit, NO FEAR!!!!!!! THEY WORK GREAT!!!!! FAHGETABOUDIT, IT's no big DEAL!!
John