Non-RunFlat Tire Jack Question
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Non-RunFlat Tire Jack Question
Of those of us who are currently running non runflats, has anyone purchased a portable jack they carry with them in the car, just in case? If so, which ones worked out best, if ever used? I've seen pictures of the inflatable ones which seem like a good idea and I also found a portable electric scissor-jack with a built-in electric impact which also seems like a good idea. Yes, I carry a plug kit and portable air compressor just in case already, but getting the wheel back up enough to work on it could be an issue. Thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 8,512
Likes: 927
From: Alaska
About 5-6 years ago there was a gentleman on the forum who was from Germany if my memory serves me correctly. He found a scissors jack that fit the C5 perfectly and it was very small and would fit into one of the compartments in the rear.
I bought one from him for the rediciously low price of about $50 shipped. The jack was original equipment on either a Mercedes or BMW. Unfortunately when I sold my C5 the jack went with it.
Perhaps someone else can help fill in the details as to where the jacks came from and if they will work on a C6.
I bought one from him for the rediciously low price of about $50 shipped. The jack was original equipment on either a Mercedes or BMW. Unfortunately when I sold my C5 the jack went with it.
Perhaps someone else can help fill in the details as to where the jacks came from and if they will work on a C6.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,515
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Unfortunatley, the C5 had the center storage well too where you could stow that jack. Not sure there's room in the C6, other than putting it in a case or box.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
I am going on two years without runflats. No more runflat tires for me. Just too large a compromise in handling and performance, especially the harse ride.
I have used the small air compressor a few times, but never needed a jack or spare and have not had to use the plug kit yet as I just leave the nail in it until I get to the tire shop.
For me it is usually a nail, or one time it was a small screw. The DIC will flash when the tire reaches 23psi. I can usually drive straight to Discount Tire and have it repaired.
The last nail was only a slow leak and I drove it for several days as initially I did not have time to have it repaired.
I have used the small air compressor a few times, but never needed a jack or spare and have not had to use the plug kit yet as I just leave the nail in it until I get to the tire shop.
For me it is usually a nail, or one time it was a small screw. The DIC will flash when the tire reaches 23psi. I can usually drive straight to Discount Tire and have it repaired.
The last nail was only a slow leak and I drove it for several days as initially I did not have time to have it repaired.
Last edited by Vito.A; Jan 14, 2009 at 10:32 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 4
From: Mililani HI
, I am planning of getting rid of my run-flats when I have to change tires due to wear. However I would like the comfort of knowing that I can jack the car up to do a plug should the tire go completely flat. I have yet to find a low and small jack.So if anyone knows of one please let me know.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
I probably shouldn't say it but you have tire pressure monitors so if the problem is a slow leak all you need is a compressor to get you where you have to go and you will never have to let it go completely "flat." If it does go flat so quickly that that you can't blow it back up then you have a bigger problem with the tire and a plug isn't going to fix it anyway. A jack in the rear is just something that can hit you in back of head in case of an accident.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
About 5-6 years ago there was a gentleman on the forum who was from Germany if my memory serves me correctly. He found a scissors jack that fit the C5 perfectly and it was very small and would fit into one of the compartments in the rear.
I bought one from him for the rediciously low price of about $50 shipped. The jack was original equipment on either a Mercedes or BMW. Unfortunately when I sold my C5 the jack went with it.
Perhaps someone else can help fill in the details as to where the jacks came from and if they will work on a C6.
I bought one from him for the rediciously low price of about $50 shipped. The jack was original equipment on either a Mercedes or BMW. Unfortunately when I sold my C5 the jack went with it.
Perhaps someone else can help fill in the details as to where the jacks came from and if they will work on a C6.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
About 5-6 years ago there was a gentleman on the forum who was from Germany if my memory serves me correctly. He found a scissors jack that fit the C5 perfectly and it was very small and would fit into one of the compartments in the rear.
I bought one from him for the rediciously low price of about $50 shipped. The jack was original equipment on either a Mercedes or BMW. Unfortunately when I sold my C5 the jack went with it.
Perhaps someone else can help fill in the details as to where the jacks came from and if they will work on a C6.
I bought one from him for the rediciously low price of about $50 shipped. The jack was original equipment on either a Mercedes or BMW. Unfortunately when I sold my C5 the jack went with it.
Perhaps someone else can help fill in the details as to where the jacks came from and if they will work on a C6.
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Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I found this online which looked like a cool idea.
http://www.autosportcatalog.com/inde.../5039/sc/47349
Last May, I gave away my '99 to my son which also had non runflats on it.. GY D-3's. He had a flat the other day...totally flat all the way. Large screw in the tire and per his words, loss was 5psi/minute. Way too much to move it anywhere. So that incident got me to thinking about this issue. Yes, of course for a slow leak via a nail or whatever, we usually have time enough to get to a repair facility if one can be found that's open at the particular time and the DIC keeps us informed. The airbag types, most use the car's exhaust to pump them up, but on our cars with multiple pipes, that's not going to work either.
http://www.autosportcatalog.com/inde.../5039/sc/47349
Last May, I gave away my '99 to my son which also had non runflats on it.. GY D-3's. He had a flat the other day...totally flat all the way. Large screw in the tire and per his words, loss was 5psi/minute. Way too much to move it anywhere. So that incident got me to thinking about this issue. Yes, of course for a slow leak via a nail or whatever, we usually have time enough to get to a repair facility if one can be found that's open at the particular time and the DIC keeps us informed. The airbag types, most use the car's exhaust to pump them up, but on our cars with multiple pipes, that's not going to work either.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 0
From: Skippack PA
I probably shouldn't say it but you have tire pressure monitors so if the problem is a slow leak all you need is a compressor to get you where you have to go and you will never have to let it go completely "flat." If it does go flat so quickly that that you can't blow it back up then you have a bigger problem with the tire and a plug isn't going to fix it anyway. A jack in the rear is just something that can hit you in back of head in case of an accident.
In 31 years of driving, I have only ever had slow leak flats, nail or screw stuck in the tire, and my 07 Corvette is the first car in 15 years to get a screw stuck in it. Figures I finally get runflats, and what do you know, it goes flat on me. Although, it was a slow leak, ~6-8lbs overnight, so drove it until I could get it fixed. Just kept filling it up and a non-runflat would have worked just as well.
I'm starting to lean toward the side where runflats are a complete waste of money. But, it is nice to have them just in case - kind of like insurance.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
The only time I can see where a runflat is more useful than a standard tire (assuming you carry a portable compressor) would be the case where you run over a board with a nail or screw sticking up. The nail/screw would not stay in the tire and just leave a hole. Most likely, a fairly fast leak that you couldn't keep the tire inflated. A runflat would help in this case.
In 31 years of driving, I have only ever had slow leak flats, nail or screw stuck in the tire, and my 07 Corvette is the first car in 15 years to get a screw stuck in it. Figures I finally get runflats, and what do you know, it goes flat on me. Although, it was a slow leak, ~6-8lbs overnight, so drove it until I could get it fixed. Just kept filling it up and a non-runflat would have worked just as well.
I'm starting to lean toward the side where runflats are a complete waste of money. But, it is nice to have them just in case - kind of like insurance.
In 31 years of driving, I have only ever had slow leak flats, nail or screw stuck in the tire, and my 07 Corvette is the first car in 15 years to get a screw stuck in it. Figures I finally get runflats, and what do you know, it goes flat on me. Although, it was a slow leak, ~6-8lbs overnight, so drove it until I could get it fixed. Just kept filling it up and a non-runflat would have worked just as well.
I'm starting to lean toward the side where runflats are a complete waste of money. But, it is nice to have them just in case - kind of like insurance.
I've been driving for 52 years and really have not had that many flats. Most were slow leakers like you describe, but I have had four quick flats that left me on the side of the highway. One, when I ran over a screwdriver in the pits(drag strip) in 1959. Another, when I had a blowout in 1978, Another when I ran over a screw on the Kansas Turnpike in 1966, and one where the wheelcover spun and cut the valve stem, in 1995. None of those cars had runflats and I'm sure glad I had a spare tire in the trunk. They all occurred when I was traveling away from home, not near a service station.
I won't drive a car without either runflats or a spare on board.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 145
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From: Bolivar OH
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: The Villages Florida
Fix-a-flat by Shell is sensor safe. Slime? I dunno. My tire guy said they do clean out tires that have been aerosol "fixed" for just a bit more money. He said that they don't like it but they do fix 'em. Shell folks told me, on the phone, that it is a soap and water clean-up.
