Flat Tires
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
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Flat Tires
I just got my C5 with standard tires and I am curious if I should put together a kit containing a scissors jack, Lug wrench, Tire Repair kit, small pliers and a compressor kit in case I hit a nail. I've been informed that AAA will change a SPARE but will not road-repair a flat.
I'd like to know what other long time Vette drivers have done-Thanks
I'd like to know what other long time Vette drivers have done-Thanks
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,752
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
The jack won't fit under the car if the tire is flat.
Just put a small, 12v air compressor in your rear storage and leave it at that. Unless you have a blowout that will get you anywhere you need to go to fix the flat. If you have a blowout you'd have to call a tow-truck anyway, and that's the only thing you'd have to worry about as far as a flat tire goes.
Just put a small, 12v air compressor in your rear storage and leave it at that. Unless you have a blowout that will get you anywhere you need to go to fix the flat. If you have a blowout you'd have to call a tow-truck anyway, and that's the only thing you'd have to worry about as far as a flat tire goes.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Here is what I carry just in case.
a 2X6 to drive up on, A mercedes scissors jack, 4 way lug wrench, plug kit, small compressor, assorted tools, flash light, AAA, Cell phone, I believe if I was to get a flat I would be able to get on the road again unless the tire is wasted.
a 2X6 to drive up on, A mercedes scissors jack, 4 way lug wrench, plug kit, small compressor, assorted tools, flash light, AAA, Cell phone, I believe if I was to get a flat I would be able to get on the road again unless the tire is wasted.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Redondo Beach CA
I go the chemical route myself.
I really like the convenience of the spare tire in a can, I always had a few cans under the rear seat of the SUV when on vacation.
Space being what it is in the vette, I carry a bottle of tire slime and a 12 volt pump in a small kit with some gloves, etc.
I like that it is quick and easy, almost no effort. Some use a plug, but that requires you to find the hole and place the plug. Then you still have to place a flat patch over the plug, from the interior , but you do get a safe completed repair.
The slime downside is weight, from the fluid introduced into the tire. It only lasts for two years. You also have to be careful not to lose the valve core, removed to add the chemical. There is also no accepted flat repair protocol for chemical fixes.
I also carry a phone and a roadside assistance club card.
I also agree that a small pump to get you going is all you need
I really like the convenience of the spare tire in a can, I always had a few cans under the rear seat of the SUV when on vacation.
Space being what it is in the vette, I carry a bottle of tire slime and a 12 volt pump in a small kit with some gloves, etc.
I like that it is quick and easy, almost no effort. Some use a plug, but that requires you to find the hole and place the plug. Then you still have to place a flat patch over the plug, from the interior , but you do get a safe completed repair.
The slime downside is weight, from the fluid introduced into the tire. It only lasts for two years. You also have to be careful not to lose the valve core, removed to add the chemical. There is also no accepted flat repair protocol for chemical fixes.
I also carry a phone and a roadside assistance club card.
I also agree that a small pump to get you going is all you need
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Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
If you're talking about the spare-tire-in-a-can stuff, yes, some can and some will. The some that can are water soluble but don't guarantee that they won't mess up a TPMS. I don't see the point myself. A portable air compressor will do the same and not damage your TPMS.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Missi'ppi... no mo' MO for me!!
A scissors jack of the right minimum height is not useless. I've got a scissors jack in the car that I tested for just such a problem.
I had one tire off during a tire rotation, and tested the fit. I rested the empty corner on a stack of wooden 2x12's, compressing the shock. With the front brake rotor off the ground by about an inch, I got the jack under the rail without any trouble. If you had to, you could use the far site on the same rail--for example, if the passenger's front tire was flat, you could use the jack under the passenger rear. The chassis is stiff enough to lift the entire side from one site.
Some of the cans of tire slime claim they're harmless to TPMS sensors and that claim is badged right on the can. Dunno that I'd trust a MIC manufacturer, though.
I had one tire off during a tire rotation, and tested the fit. I rested the empty corner on a stack of wooden 2x12's, compressing the shock. With the front brake rotor off the ground by about an inch, I got the jack under the rail without any trouble. If you had to, you could use the far site on the same rail--for example, if the passenger's front tire was flat, you could use the jack under the passenger rear. The chassis is stiff enough to lift the entire side from one site.
Some of the cans of tire slime claim they're harmless to TPMS sensors and that claim is badged right on the can. Dunno that I'd trust a MIC manufacturer, though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,229
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From: Bmore Maryland
Here is what I carry just in case.
a 2X6 to drive up on, A mercedes scissors jack, 4 way lug wrench, plug kit, small compressor, assorted tools, flash light, AAA, Cell phone, I believe if I was to get a flat I would be able to get on the road again unless the tire is wasted.
a 2X6 to drive up on, A mercedes scissors jack, 4 way lug wrench, plug kit, small compressor, assorted tools, flash light, AAA, Cell phone, I believe if I was to get a flat I would be able to get on the road again unless the tire is wasted.
Team Owner
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Charlotte NC
I just got my C5 with standard tires and I am curious if I should put together a kit containing a scissors jack, Lug wrench, Tire Repair kit, small pliers and a compressor kit in case I hit a nail. I've been informed that AAA will change a SPARE but will not road-repair a flat.
I'd like to know what other long time Vette drivers have done-Thanks
I'd like to know what other long time Vette drivers have done-Thanks
If it isn't leaking fast enough for you to easily hear or feel the leak the just pump it up and drive to a tire shop. You will probably be able to go several miles before you have to pump more air into it.
If you hit something big enough to destroy the tire you will need to call AAA. I really see no need to mess with a jack since you won't have a spare and, if it is a Z06, you can't put the dead tire into the trunk anyway.
Just my $0.02.
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
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I carry a plug kit and an air compressor, along with a small tool box with pliers and other miscellaneous tools. I need to find a small scissors jack that has a very low minimum height. The jack would be handy if you have to raise the car to get to the puncture. I also carry emergency road service on my car insurance and have a cell phone with me at all times.
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
I always carry a cell phone if I have to call the Auto Club. Since there is no spare tire to install I won't call the Auto Club unless the only alternative is to be towed (on a flat bed truck only). That's why I wait to call so they don't send the wrong truck.
In case there is no signal or no need for the Auto Club, I carry the following items:
a Fix A Flat S430 Tire Inflator, a portable air compressor, a work light (battery clips), scissor jack, tire repair kit, several tools to use with the kit, jacking pucks, small water bottle (to check if no leaks after tire repair), T-hooks towing hooks and a tire pressure gauge.
If I go on a trip, I add a lug wrench, fire extinguisher, jumper cables, LifeHammer and Mobil 1
In case there is no signal or no need for the Auto Club, I carry the following items:
a Fix A Flat S430 Tire Inflator, a portable air compressor, a work light (battery clips), scissor jack, tire repair kit, several tools to use with the kit, jacking pucks, small water bottle (to check if no leaks after tire repair), T-hooks towing hooks and a tire pressure gauge.
If I go on a trip, I add a lug wrench, fire extinguisher, jumper cables, LifeHammer and Mobil 1