I don't run the runflats and have a plug kit and a 12V inflater in the trunk. The other day my DIC informed me that my RF wheel had low pressure, a short time later it again informed me that my pressure was lower. I pulled over right away and notice my tire was low. I didn't want to move it and was close to a friend so I went home and got my low profile aluminum jack. It seemed I could only get it under the car on the rear tire. I decided to reinflate the RF tire so I could get the jack under the RF tire and that's when I noticed the sensor was loose. This was the reason the tire was losing air. I tightned it with pliers and reinflated the tire. This is when I realized that maybe a low profile scissor jack may have worked if I had one instead of hauling around a hydraulic jack. I wonder if there are any quality efficient scissor jacks that can be used. I have one from a junk yard I have in my El Camino. Don't know if there are any newer styles that would fit in the trunk easily. Anyone have any thoughts about this? Thanks.

Art

 

I use a scissor jack from a 90's model Honda Accord. Works like a champ!

 

I've thought about this as well. I carry a tire comfort kit and plug kit, however always wondered if I should carry a jack as well.

I found this online. Not sure if it's low profile enough though.

http://www.autosportcatalog.com/index.cfm?fa=p&pid=5039

 

Hello Art, I use a small scissor jack out of a Nissan I bought, It is small and fits in the rear cubby, I also carry a small 2x6 to raise the car a bit more if needed. Never had to use it yet, But I am ready when it happens, I see you are in Reno also, If you would like to see what I have just yell.
Bill

 

Nice, But for 135 bucks I will stick with my $20 scissor jack, It can be up in less than a minute.

 

I have one I bought at Harbor Freight ($9.95) on sale, normally $20.00 that works great. Have only used it to take my tires off to clean the inside of the rims.

 

It can be up in less than a minute.[/QUOTE]

Jeebus Mr. Bill! Too much info!



I use a BMW 3 series jack...

 

Nice deal. Is your car lowered? I'll have to see if 3.75" will get under my car. Looks like a good thing to have if it will.

 

3.75 will never fit under the front of a C5 with a flat. Or the front side puck area. Been there done that.

 

Wow...I didn't realize this thread would garner this many posts so fast. One thing I did realize and Mr Bill mentioned was that the corner of the car with the flat is really too low for much of anything. Seems like the tire opposite of the flat on the same side would need to be raised just to raise the car. Maybe a block of wood to insert under the control arm or something would be needed to raise the car in order to move the jack to the affected tire. Seems to be the only way to remove a flat tire. I'll have to take a look at the BMW jack and maybe some others. Thanks for the prompt replies.

Art

 

Thanks Bill, I'd like to take a look at it. Actually I'm in Sparks, Spanish Springs to be exact.

Art

 

Very timely post.....I was just thinking about this yesterday when I realized that I was driving around without my locking lug nut socket. Luckily I didn't need it!! I need to give this some thought before the next road trip.

 

What is a tire comfort kit??

 

I believe the comfort kit is a 12volt compressor and a can of sealant that comes as a kit. I believe it's call a Continental Kit or Conti-Kit. Here's a link...

http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/detail.jsp?ID=38


Art

 

I pulled the jack out of my El Camino. It's actually an 82-92 Camaro jack. What's it's interesting about this jack is it's operates like the old bumper style ratchet jacks but it's horizontal. You can see them on
Ebay. It's about 24" long, 5-6" wide and about 3-1/2" high at the contact point. I can trim off the mounting tab at the end of the jack and I think it will slip into the storage compartment at a slight angle. Still, an old style tire iron type tool is needed to ratchet the jack. It is effortless to raise the car and the lifting tab fits right into the lifting point without touching the fiberglass rocker. I would still use the hockey puck but without the puck you gain an additional inch which might be useful. I'm still going to pursue a scissor jack but the ratchet action of the Camaro jack is really nice. The design of the jack is strong and I doubt there would be any mechanical problems with it. It's hard to picture but the design of the jack allows the contact point of the jack to raise straight up from the base just like a scissor jack. I'm sure that as the vehicle is raised really high the car may want to move so a puck would provide some insurance from damaging the fiberglass. This scenario is limited to flat ground. I don't think I'd try jacking on uneven or soft ground.

Art

 

...but that includes the really cool carrying case.

 

Some people have used a Mercedes jack when a flat occurs. Thought I had a part number for it, but if you do a search for Mercedes jack it may bring up some past threads on it.

 

I put the one from a G6 Pontiac that I had in the rear hatch. Works like a charm.

 

Don't normally ever have to jack in order to plug. Carry piece of plastic to lie on. Much quicker.

 

Why not just use fix a flat!??? **** it inflates the tire fixes the leak and you don't have to search for a hole while cars are flying by at 70+mph, almost all fix a flat type sealant inflator is TPMS safe it is truely the fastest and best way to get you out of trouble without getting killed!