Spare Tire Questions

[Edward]

In the past three years, I've had to plug for tires on my Chrysler.I've never tried run flat, but "slime" for bike tires is pretty useless. I had three warranty replacements I. the one year of warranty on the "never flat" tires I put on my bicycle.

 

[Ty]

In the past three years, I've had to plug for tires on my Chrysler.I've never tried run flat, but "slime" for bike tires is pretty useless. I had three warranty replacements I. the one year of warranty on the "never flat" tires I put on my bicycle.

Slime in bike tires works for the kid's bikes at least against goat heads... those things are pure evil, I tell 'ya!

 

[Joshua Caldwell]

I've had numerous flat tires from punctures, but since I stopped using retreads I've only had one.

The worst was when I was 17, not experienced at all and going down the interstate the front left tire exploded and came off the rim - not a fun experience, but I didn't wreck. My worst experience (same car) is when the driveshaft came down when I was going over a speed bump at speed, it pole vaulted the car and when I landed the muffler was jammed into the right rear wheel and locked it in place.

 

[ecdriver711]

Hello from Colorado Springs, and yes the 2014 smart car does not hav a spare tire.

Welcome to the forum William.

 

[outsydthebox]

I was glad I had a real spare back when I had that one flat tire. Let's see... It was in 1997... not a single one since. Charmed life, I know. Now, I've had to plug three of mine and the wife's but luckily, I was at home each time. I also plugged two or three for neighbor's. If I was out when the tire was flat, I would have had to call the wife (LOL... she'd probably be with me) or a friend but that might be better than taking up half the Elio's trunk space. I guess the rest of the space could be filled with a pair of gloves... or maybe just one glove.

How about a space saver under the drivers seat?

 

[Lil4X]

This spare tire discussion seems to have jinxed me. This morning I discovered I have a flat.

Update: Turned out I'd run over a tiny machine screw. Whoda thunk?

 

[Jim H]

Slime in bike tires works for the kid's bikes at least against goat heads... those things are pure evil, I tell 'ya!

Goat heads, one of the worst things about New Mexico and Ty is right, they are pure evil in every way

 

[Kidbyte]

When I bought my 2008 SmartCar, it did not have a spare. It does have an air pump with a bottle of "Goop". The air pump is fixtured so you can attach the goop to the pump and inject it while inflating the tire. The problem with that is, the goop ruins the tire sensor AND the air pump. Also, when you go to have it repaired, your tire guy is going to give you some REALLY dirty looks when he sees the mess inside that tire he has to clean out. A friend of mine and I rummaged around the junk yards and found a couple of jacks that were very small and functionally just right. We cleaned them up, ground out a bigger slot to work with the SmartCar and placed them in our tool bag in the rear storage area along with a high quality plug kit. Since 2008, I have plugged about 4 tires (only had to use the jack twice. Plugged two of 'em right on the car!). Works great. I have never used the goop, but the air pump has come in really handy! I am planning on doing the same for my little Elio.

 

[Jeff Miller]

In the past three years, I've had to plug for tires on my Chrysler.I've never tried run flat, but "slime" for bike tires is pretty useless. I had three warranty replacements I. the one year of warranty on the "never flat" tires I put on my bicycle.

The way you describe the state of your cars I wonder if your flats are due more to pushing the life of the tires vs. the tires themselves. Or perhaps it is the roads you drive on or the way in which you drive.

I've had numerous flat tires from punctures, but since I stopped using retreads I've only had one.

I think this is an example of using better equipment results in fewer problems. That said, I'm quite surprised you had one.

For myself, the only flat I've had in 40 years of driving was related to when I was building my house. The house was being built in a new sub division with lots of other houses being built at the same time. Everyday you would see construction workers and their trucks leaving "goodies" behind. The one flat I had was from a nail off one of those trucks.

So yes, flats can happen but 1 in 40 years seems to be not much to worry about. Reducing your chance even more can be done by having the proper equipment and minimizing the use of roadways you know are bad. Finally, carry the slime or whatever and a cell phone as a last ditch effort.

 

[Kidbyte]

The DFW Metroplex (Dallas-Ft. Worth) is in a constant state of construction. New buildings and homes are going up in various stages everywhere. So it is very common to pickup nails, screws, etc. Like a boy scout, you have to be ready for anything.