Breakdown Preparation Supplys and Procedures
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 317
Likes: 42
Breakdown Preparation Supplys and Procedures
I'm 68 and just got my c5 this year. I haven't been very far from home with it yet but I'd like to know what some of your experiences have been in these situations. I don't have run-flats but I do have a good portable tire inflator and a new 800 amp jump starter and a can of fix a flat. Both the inflator and the starter have pretty nice lights too.
I don't have AAA but I guess I should get it, what does it normally cost.?
If these C5s need to be put on a roll back is there a special place for the chain and what to watch out for doing this. I'm a pretty good mechanic but I've never had anything this low and don't want to mess it up by doing something stupid just because I didn't know about a little trick or something that might have helped.
I haven't tried the jumper box but from all I've read about these new smaller lithium battery ones they seem pretty amazing.
I don't have a spare anyway but have any of you ever had to lift a C5 along the road somewhere?
And as far as the FixAflat it says it's TPS safe but others say it's not. I'd try my inflator first anyway but have any of you ever messed up your sensors with the FIXaFlat that says TPS safe on it. Maby this newer stuff is different
I don't have AAA but I guess I should get it, what does it normally cost.?
If these C5s need to be put on a roll back is there a special place for the chain and what to watch out for doing this. I'm a pretty good mechanic but I've never had anything this low and don't want to mess it up by doing something stupid just because I didn't know about a little trick or something that might have helped.
I haven't tried the jumper box but from all I've read about these new smaller lithium battery ones they seem pretty amazing.
I don't have a spare anyway but have any of you ever had to lift a C5 along the road somewhere?
And as far as the FixAflat it says it's TPS safe but others say it's not. I'd try my inflator first anyway but have any of you ever messed up your sensors with the FIXaFlat that says TPS safe on it. Maby this newer stuff is different
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
I have a 2003 Z06. They didn't come with run flat tires but have a tire inflator and bottle of slime. I ditched the slime and added a rope style patch kit. The slime was original to the car so I don't know if it was any good.
I've had two flats in the past 90,000 miles of driving my Vette and have yet to need more than the inflator. Both times the DIC alerted me of the problem.(Stock Z06s didn't come with TPMS, I added them) One instance required me to drive nearly 100 miles. I had to make a couple of stops along the way to refill the air (pallet staple through sidewall). I just watched the TPMS on the DIC. If I did choose to use slime, the worst case scenario would be having to replace the sensor for around $60 at Discount Tire. Not too terribly expensive.
As far as attachment point for pulling the car onto a flatbed, there are slots in the frame where the jacking points are. A good towing company will have the T hooks required to hook into those slots. They will also have boards to help get the front of the car onto the flatbed. Just make sure when you call for a tow you tell them a flatbed is REQUIRED.
I contacted my insurance broker about towing. I have Auto-Owners insurance and it costs me something like $25 / year for two vehicles. They will tow up to 100 miles. Well worth the piece of mind and had to use it once. I'm not sure what AAA charges. I don't need the extras offered by them. I just want coverage for being stranded.
Keep up on the general maintenance and the car will treat you well. When my car had 200,000 miles on it, I drove it from Michigan to Utah and back. My only repair along the way was to replace a burnt out turn signal bulb. It was the right front so it didn't even require tools.
I've had two flats in the past 90,000 miles of driving my Vette and have yet to need more than the inflator. Both times the DIC alerted me of the problem.(Stock Z06s didn't come with TPMS, I added them) One instance required me to drive nearly 100 miles. I had to make a couple of stops along the way to refill the air (pallet staple through sidewall). I just watched the TPMS on the DIC. If I did choose to use slime, the worst case scenario would be having to replace the sensor for around $60 at Discount Tire. Not too terribly expensive.
As far as attachment point for pulling the car onto a flatbed, there are slots in the frame where the jacking points are. A good towing company will have the T hooks required to hook into those slots. They will also have boards to help get the front of the car onto the flatbed. Just make sure when you call for a tow you tell them a flatbed is REQUIRED.
I contacted my insurance broker about towing. I have Auto-Owners insurance and it costs me something like $25 / year for two vehicles. They will tow up to 100 miles. Well worth the piece of mind and had to use it once. I'm not sure what AAA charges. I don't need the extras offered by them. I just want coverage for being stranded.
Keep up on the general maintenance and the car will treat you well. When my car had 200,000 miles on it, I drove it from Michigan to Utah and back. My only repair along the way was to replace a burnt out turn signal bulb. It was the right front so it didn't even require tools.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I just had to go thru a tow of my C5. I have AAA Plus which is the 100 mile coverage. When I called AAA and gave them the car description, they told me they automatically dispatch a flatbed ramp truck for Corvettes.
When the guy showed up, it took him a few extra minutes to get the winch cable in place as the car is lowered. But it winched up easily with no scraping. I did notice that he had stacks of 2x6 and 2x8 boards in a storage compartment and those helped a bunch.
One thing about AAA is that it isn't just for towing. Jump starting, gas delivery, lockout, flat tire service, and even battery replacement on the road are part of the AAA deal. And once you are a member, you can use your AAA services when you are a passenger in somebody else's car!! Just call and have your AAA card ready when a service rig shows up. No money involved.
I also use AAA for making travel reservations at motels or hotels. The discount is the same as some travel clubs or AARP, but it a nice deal to access.
As far as what to carry in the car, I have a 12v air compressor, and a plug kit. I don't like the cans of sealer, not only because they may damage the pressure sensors, but it you put too much in there and it congeals, it's a royal PITA to remove the tire from the wheel, then remove all of that "slime" so that a shop can do a proper repair on the tire.
When a tire goes flat on a C5, the body can drop down far enough that it could be very difficult to slide a jack under the car. Then you need a breaker bar, 6" extension, and a 19mm 6-point socket to remove the wheel. Then with no spare, it doesn't really do any good unless you have a way of transporting the wheel/tire some place to get it repaired, then returning it to the car.
I would recommend a cell phone, AAA membership, and a credit card as the basic "tool kit" when on the road.
When the guy showed up, it took him a few extra minutes to get the winch cable in place as the car is lowered. But it winched up easily with no scraping. I did notice that he had stacks of 2x6 and 2x8 boards in a storage compartment and those helped a bunch.
One thing about AAA is that it isn't just for towing. Jump starting, gas delivery, lockout, flat tire service, and even battery replacement on the road are part of the AAA deal. And once you are a member, you can use your AAA services when you are a passenger in somebody else's car!! Just call and have your AAA card ready when a service rig shows up. No money involved.
I also use AAA for making travel reservations at motels or hotels. The discount is the same as some travel clubs or AARP, but it a nice deal to access.
As far as what to carry in the car, I have a 12v air compressor, and a plug kit. I don't like the cans of sealer, not only because they may damage the pressure sensors, but it you put too much in there and it congeals, it's a royal PITA to remove the tire from the wheel, then remove all of that "slime" so that a shop can do a proper repair on the tire.
When a tire goes flat on a C5, the body can drop down far enough that it could be very difficult to slide a jack under the car. Then you need a breaker bar, 6" extension, and a 19mm 6-point socket to remove the wheel. Then with no spare, it doesn't really do any good unless you have a way of transporting the wheel/tire some place to get it repaired, then returning it to the car.
I would recommend a cell phone, AAA membership, and a credit card as the basic "tool kit" when on the road.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 317
Likes: 42
I just had to go thru a tow of my C5. I have AAA Plus which is the 100 mile coverage. When I called AAA and gave them the car description, they told me they automatically dispatch a flatbed ramp truck for Corvettes.
When the guy showed up, it took him a few extra minutes to get the winch cable in place as the car is lowered. But it winched up easily with no scraping. I did notice that he had stacks of 2x6 and 2x8 boards in a storage compartment and those helped a bunch.
One thing about AAA is that it isn't just for towing. Jump starting, gas delivery, lockout, flat tire service, and even battery replacement on the road are part of the AAA deal. And once you are a member, you can use your AAA services when you are a passenger in somebody else's car!! Just call and have your AAA card ready when a service rig shows up. No money involved.
I also use AAA for making travel reservations at motels or hotels. The discount is the same as some travel clubs or AARP, but it a nice deal to access.
As far as what to carry in the car, I have a 12v air compressor, and a plug kit. I don't like the cans of sealer, not only because they may damage the pressure sensors, but it you put too much in there and it congeals, it's a royal PITA to remove the tire from the wheel, then remove all of that "slime" so that a shop can do a proper repair on the tire.
When a tire goes flat on a C5, the body can drop down far enough that it could be very difficult to slide a jack under the car. Then you need a breaker bar, 6" extension, and a 19mm 6-point socket to remove the wheel. Then with no spare, it doesn't really do any good unless you have a way of transporting the wheel/tire some place to get it repaired, then returning it to the car.
I would recommend a cell phone, AAA membership, and a credit card as the basic "tool kit" when on the road.
When the guy showed up, it took him a few extra minutes to get the winch cable in place as the car is lowered. But it winched up easily with no scraping. I did notice that he had stacks of 2x6 and 2x8 boards in a storage compartment and those helped a bunch.
One thing about AAA is that it isn't just for towing. Jump starting, gas delivery, lockout, flat tire service, and even battery replacement on the road are part of the AAA deal. And once you are a member, you can use your AAA services when you are a passenger in somebody else's car!! Just call and have your AAA card ready when a service rig shows up. No money involved.
I also use AAA for making travel reservations at motels or hotels. The discount is the same as some travel clubs or AARP, but it a nice deal to access.
As far as what to carry in the car, I have a 12v air compressor, and a plug kit. I don't like the cans of sealer, not only because they may damage the pressure sensors, but it you put too much in there and it congeals, it's a royal PITA to remove the tire from the wheel, then remove all of that "slime" so that a shop can do a proper repair on the tire.
When a tire goes flat on a C5, the body can drop down far enough that it could be very difficult to slide a jack under the car. Then you need a breaker bar, 6" extension, and a 19mm 6-point socket to remove the wheel. Then with no spare, it doesn't really do any good unless you have a way of transporting the wheel/tire some place to get it repaired, then returning it to the car.
I would recommend a cell phone, AAA membership, and a credit card as the basic "tool kit" when on the road.
Yes that's the kind of thing I was thinking about if a tire was actually flat and you wanted to get it off because the body would be so low to begin with. I actually have 2 pumps now. A cheap harbor freight one and a better one. I have tested them both here at the house on my 87 Chevy truck, even the harbor freight one works well enough
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 317
Likes: 42
I have State Farm, I've been lucky enough to never have used it. I guess I should call my agent and find out more about what I probably already have and don't even know it. I know there is something about towing and $25 but I'm not sure what it's limits are
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 38
From: Colorado
i had no idea State Farm did that.. will stop by tomorrow and add that!
as far as run flats and "what to do if broken down" i'd focus equally if not more on "dont break down." i'd say ditch the run flats, because their traction is hilariously bad. i'd rather change my tires often or carry a tire patch kit than lose 30% traction so i can drive on a flat IF i needed to.
focus on the two or three small things you can do if broken down (battery, gas, tires, usually) and then just have AAA or apparently State Farm or an equivalence. keep a backup battery for your phone in the glove box, and/or a solar charge capable phone backup. i have one of those in all of my cars. they're $20 or less on amazon, newegg, etc.
as far as run flats and "what to do if broken down" i'd focus equally if not more on "dont break down." i'd say ditch the run flats, because their traction is hilariously bad. i'd rather change my tires often or carry a tire patch kit than lose 30% traction so i can drive on a flat IF i needed to.
focus on the two or three small things you can do if broken down (battery, gas, tires, usually) and then just have AAA or apparently State Farm or an equivalence. keep a backup battery for your phone in the glove box, and/or a solar charge capable phone backup. i have one of those in all of my cars. they're $20 or less on amazon, newegg, etc.
Last edited by sean.b; Dec 14, 2016 at 03:58 PM.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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... I was just out of free tow range and had to pay a whopping $2
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 317
Likes: 42
i had no idea State Farm did that.. will stop by tomorrow and add that!
as far as run flats and "what to do if broken down" i'd focus equally if not more on "dont break down." i'd say ditch the run flats, because their traction is hilariously bad. i'd rather change my tires often or carry a tire patch kit than lose 30% traction so i can drive on a flat IF i needed to.
focus on the two or three small things you can do if broken down (battery, gas, tires, usually) and then just have AAA or apparently State Farm or an equivalence. keep a backup battery for your phone in the glove box, and/or a solar charge capable phone backup. i have one of those in all of my cars. they're $20 or less on amazon, newegg, etc.
as far as run flats and "what to do if broken down" i'd focus equally if not more on "dont break down." i'd say ditch the run flats, because their traction is hilariously bad. i'd rather change my tires often or carry a tire patch kit than lose 30% traction so i can drive on a flat IF i needed to.
focus on the two or three small things you can do if broken down (battery, gas, tires, usually) and then just have AAA or apparently State Farm or an equivalence. keep a backup battery for your phone in the glove box, and/or a solar charge capable phone backup. i have one of those in all of my cars. they're $20 or less on amazon, newegg, etc.