Getting ready to buy new tires. I'm leaning towards run flats but still wondering if it's the right thing to do. I plan on taking my car on a couple of out of state trips per year. I don't like the idea of having a flat without a spare, especially at night.

I've seen a lot of people here say they have AAA coverage.

What if you have a flat in the middle of the night. Will they get the tire repaired so you can continue on? Or will you wind up in a motel somewhere and the flat be repaired the next day.

What happens if your tire is not repairable? Can they get you a new tire in the middle of the night?

How has AAA worked for you? Your experiences with their service, response times etc.

Thanks for any input......

 

AAA is great for an emergency tow if you need it, but they aren't always speedy getting someone to you, they contract with local towing companies so ymmv as far as service goes, especially out in the boonies! I have always had good luck with them , but it would be advisable to carry a plug kit with you on the off chance you get a flat.... Even the run flats will require a repair after a puncture, and being able to plug a tire and have it re-inflated is the best insurance you can have against a time consuming delay! That said, AAA is worthwhile for sure, as you may need a tow to a gas station to get air in your tires after plugging them (assuming you don't suffer a catastrophic failure)

 

Ive had nothing but good luck with them, but not my Vette (yet).

 

I have been a AAA member for 40+ years and highly recommend them for roadside assistance. I also get $25 - $30 worth of maps from them every year, and yes I have a GPS. I also carry a pretty complete plugging kit with 12v compressor whenever leaving home on a road trip. I haven't been out on the road "in the middle of the night" since my college days, so I can't comment on their response at that time of day. During regular "business hours" I have had assistance within one hour of the call, but that was mostly in a metropolitan area.

OBD

 

I have been a AAA member for 30 years or so. Haven't needed their service but a few times over the years, but when i did need them it was worth every penny spent. They are great for maps and registering your vehicle etc. When you have a problem such as changing a tire or jump starting the car or even getting your car unlocked they are great. They aren't going to repair your tire on the spot. They will tow you to a tire shop, dealer, your house etc.

I'd recommend spending a few dollars more and get the Premier card. Instead of the basic card that pays for towing up to seven miles or so, the premier card covers about 200 mile if I remember correctly. Also carry an air compressor and tire repair kit, plyers, flashlight, water and anything else that may come in handy in an emergency.

One time I had car trouble and my C4 vert had a problem with the alternator, it just died and I had to pull over to the side of the road. I was just out of the service area of the cell phone so couldn't make a call. There I sat on the side of the road with hood up in the Mojave desert. An old man in a tired old chevy pulled up to see if I needed any help. I asked him to call AAA when he got into town which was about 20 miles away. Thankfully, he did and it sure was nice to see that tow truck arriving. I drove one mile and my cell phone connected again.

 

Been a member of AAA for over ten years....because of Vettes.
A new tire in the middle of the night...probably not but, will flat bed you to your door or into your garage. Works for me, especially with Vettes.

 

I've been with AAA for several years. I pay for the upgrade membership that includes the 100 mile towing. I've used it once.

My supercharger had a problem and I needed to tow my corvette to the vette shop I use. They are about 65 miles from my house. I called and told AAA I needed a flatbed for a corvette.

After calling for the tow, I received a call from AAA five minutes later telling me the closest flatbed was 15 minutes away and would be there soon. Then, the tow driver called to give me an ETA.

He was there within 25 minutes. The driver did an excellent job loading the vette on the flatbed, showing incredible care to avoid any damage to my car. I just had to show my AAA card, ID & sign for the tow.

To top it off, I received a letter from AAA a few days later. It apologized saying I called for a tow during a very busy time. It stated that if I had to call for my own tow due to any delays, they would reimburse me for any costs if I submitted my receipts.

It seemed to be a well run operation. It worked well enough that I purchased their motorcycle/RV coverage for my cross country motorcycle trip this summer.

 

AAA is a great service,but its not a magic trick. I think a better question to ask yourself is are runflat tires worth the expense and what are the chances of being able to replace that particular tire to the set. Also,given the fact that runflats are expensive,contributes to a rougher ride,doesnt grip as well as conventional tires,particularly in the wet,is that the route you want to take? I had a flat tire last year at the C5 Bash in Bowling Green. I called AAA and a flatbed came out in 15min. We were towed to a Goodyear dealer about 10 min away,got a replacement tire (Bridgestone replaced the Kumho) and we were rolling again. To be clear, it turned out that the Kumhos that I was wearing were worn down and had to be replaced anyway,but the dealer didnt have Kumhos,which is what I preferred. When i got back home I ended up replacing the other tires with the Bridgestones,which arent bad by the way. What if your runflat goes bad and youre towed to a gas station. What are the chances of that gas station even carrying runflats,let alone your size and brand? Probably not good.

 

Nope, your towed to nearest mechanic shop. You then call a cab to get to a hotel.

Nope, same answer as above

AAA works good for the most part, gets your car safely home or to a shop. Minimum wait time is one hour.

 

This.

I've used them a couple times over the years and had good experiences. Be sure and tell the dispatcher you need a roll-back wrecker (or at least a "wheel lift" wrecker) if you ever need a tow. They aways ask what type vehicle you have, but I recommend a reminder anyway.

Just get it.

 

Just paid my AAA with a smile on my face. I have only used the roadside assistance a couple of times but it would have cost more in wrecker fees had I not. They also cover you when you are in someone elses car not on the plan. We have our auto and home ins. with them. After two tickets and 1 wreck my auto ins. actually went down last year. No claims on my homeowners ins. and it went down $16 also.

 

Sunday morning Avalon drops dead in the middle of the road.
Call AAA car on trailer with a police escort within 1/2 an hour.
No charge (except yearly fee) and now car fixed. Carry a phone
and AAA card it's good insurance.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I went with the run flats but am considering AAA anyway.

 

I bought the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S plus ZP tires. I was looking at the Michelin website tonight and found this.

Flat Tire Changing Assistance for 3 years:
MICHELIN tires are designed with robust construction to resist punctures,
but there are still some things that may cause your tire to lose air. We hope
you never experience a flat tire with your new MICHELIN tires, but if you
do, the Michelin Promise Plan is ready to help. In the event of a flat tire,
simply call the toll-free number listed below (also provided on the tear-out
wallet card), and a qualified service professional will replace your flat tire
with your inflated spare. If an inflated spare is not available, towing will
be provided at no cost (up to 150 miles) to the nearest approved Michelin
dealer of your choice. Flat Tire Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365
days a year in the U.S. and Canada.
For Flat Tire Changing Assistance call: 1-888-553-4327

Hopefully I never have to use it. But seems like a pretty good deal.

 

I've had three sets and never knew that

Gotta go look at the warranty.

Thanks guy

 

Besides the towing coverage and other services like jump starts, replacement batteries, gas delivery, or the lockout services, AAA also has a great trip planning service.

AAA is also a travel agency and they can book entire vacations or book motel/hotel rooms for you. Most hotels/motels will offer reduced rates for AAA members even if you book rooms yourself.

Another neat thing about AAA is that auto services are for the person, not the car. You can be riding with a buddy and you can use your AAA Card if something happens.

 

Once you ride in a car with non run flats you will never go back. The ride is so much better. I have not had run flats since i bought my car. I carry a tire plug kit, and little compressor and I have AAA