I have been looking at some used C-5's in my area and most of them have replaced the run flats with non run flat tires I assume because they are less expensive and have a better ride, right? My question is how to deal with a flat tire. I sometimes like to ride to the mountains where cell phone service is not good, so a tow might take hours. Is there a fix-a-flat kit that works well? What do you owners do just in case you get a flat?

Thanks,
Brad

 

This topic has been discussed in great lenght.
Those with non run flats carry a small jack, tire plug kit and a small compressor and of course a flash light. Road flares might be a good idea as well.
Run Flats run rougher are louder and do not grip as well. Trade offs.
If you search the forum for Run Flats you will find much debate on this topic.

 

 

Have a kit in my storage compartment

Chuck

 

I've never perceived a noise problem, maybe due to the arh longtubes and corsa indys Just as soon not deal with the hassle of a non runflat incident.

 

Many have pondered this as well, but here is the scoop... You really dont have to worry too much about a flat in a non run flat tire..unless you blow the tire apart ( hit some sort of road hazard...) IN my 45 years of driving Ive never had this happen and maybe Ive had 4 flats in that time... If you hit a road hazard with any tire.. run flat or not, usually the tire and wheel are damaged, there is nothing you can do.,.. But for 99% of the flats that occur, its a nail or some small object...
99% of the time you dont get a "BLOW OUT" tires today are very strong.. you get a slow leak. Here is the important thing... if you find a C5 with non run flats, you will indeed get a better and more quiet ride...The critical thing here is that the car have TPS ( Tire pressure sensors) that work... a slow leak will warn you that a tire may be developing a leak and at 25 psi will warn you... at this time you can take out your, stored in the stowage area, air compressor ( You have to buy this... cheap at any auto parts store ... 25, 35 dollars..) You then inflate the tire up to 40 lbs and continue to drive to your destination... if the tire goes to 25 again ( which could be 20 minutes and it could be an hour) you just pump it up again... once you get to a safe place... ( your destination, or home.. you can simply have the tire patched. I ran two plugs in one tire for 40,000 miles with no ill effects other than I lost one level of speed rating ( this only meant I could not drive at speeds in excess of 150 mph )... So dont worry too much about a non run flat... I carry a patch kit, small jack and compressor with me at all times.. you need to pump up a flat tire in order to get the jack under there... even though the tire is flat.
Just some heads up in the event you buy a car with non run flats.

Good Luck
Bill aka ET

 

Great to see you back Bill

 

Thanks, some very good info here!

 

 

Been driving 46 years and never got stranded by a flat. Lots of slow leaks caused by nails and screws but never had a blowout or had a tire lose all its air. I do have a cell phone and AAA just in case.

Rick

 

compressor, small scissor jack, plug kit, socket , extension and torque wrench. use the pressure sensors.
savage1

 

Yes, the ride is better. If you have non-runflat tires, then be sure to carry a plug kit and a small portable air compressor. A small scissors type jack would be good also.

 

Small repair kit with most everything you would need, fleabay auction #360014840441. Don't use the aerosol or goop unless you want to replace the sensors (I believe even the tire barn or tire store place's kits say on the can they may ruin the sensors in the kit that says it won't). Contact the seller and ask for the bag with the crossed flags if it is still available. Good luck!

 

Don't forget if you are a ZO6 driver to install an aftermarket tire pressure system so that you can be warned if the tire is loosing air!

 

Actually all Z06s have the TPS system installed from the factory. What they DON'T have is the sensors in the wheels. If they take the time/$ to install the wheel sensors anyone (dealership) with a Tech2 can turn the system on and enjoy the same monitoring system that the rest of us do.