I just purschased a car that does not have a spare and does NOT have runflats. The consensus of drivers is to have a tire repair kit and compressor. To be honest havent done to many tire repairs and on the road it cannot be that easy. I saw a mushroom tire repair kit, seems a little easier to operate than the old fashioned plug type. Also considering slime, as I am told it will not harm tpms. I planned to take long country drives but am a little concerned without a spare. Fitting a spare is really not an option. Any thoughts on either method.
roadside tire repair
- Thread starter raaizin
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I have done plugs and I do carry a compressor. With that said, I have been in a situation where I have had a compromised sidewall; can't use a patch kit or a compressor for that.
Plug won't affect TPMS. I wouldn't even attempt to use slime on something that has TPMS, and I wouldn't want to put a tire shop tech through having to deal with a slime'd tire.
Try to get a scissor jack and a used donut.
Plug won't affect TPMS. I wouldn't even attempt to use slime on something that has TPMS, and I wouldn't want to put a tire shop tech through having to deal with a slime'd tire.
Try to get a scissor jack and a used donut.
I have a spare but carry plugs and a compressor. That is plenty..if sidewall or other issues you will likely need a tow anyways.. ive driven many miles and only suffered one flat..if you need add'l peace of mind get AAA or another roadside service.
How critical are your timelines? I'm thinking, it's a low risk of flats today. If you're not in a hurry, just live with the slight risk of a tow. Odds are you will only be out of a few hours, or maybe an overnight stay in some new-to-you place.
Throw a plug kit into the trunk along with a compressor and call it good.
OP, I bought a car with no spare and no runflats too. I've had one flat on it in 4 years. That flat got repaired in 30 minutes with a plug kit. Not a big deal.
OP, I bought a car with no spare and no runflats too. I've had one flat on it in 4 years. That flat got repaired in 30 minutes with a plug kit. Not a big deal.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
I have BMW that came with RFT's but for winter I switched to snows that are not RFT. SO in trunk I have compressor, slime, patch kit. Just in case. Slime is not an option unless absolutely necessary. I will though get donut these days.
I am not sure what you driving, but if it is SUV, get some serious compressor so you do not end up on a side of the road for 2hrs pumping tire, with possibility for thats mall compressor to die in the middle of pumping.
I am not sure what you driving, but if it is SUV, get some serious compressor so you do not end up on a side of the road for 2hrs pumping tire, with possibility for thats mall compressor to die in the middle of pumping.
What's the vehicle in question? Could you add a spare if you wanted one?
In my Cruze, the Eco models didn't come with a spare. I think that's dumb, so I bought a junkyard spare and installed it.
I have recently had several flat tires. I haven't had one for years, then I get several.
I also have a plug kit and inflator in the Cruze, which I bought before I got a spare. I was mighty glad I had that spare when I got a flat on the interstate recently. Trying to plug and inflate the tire on the side of a busy highway would not have been fun.
In my Cruze, the Eco models didn't come with a spare. I think that's dumb, so I bought a junkyard spare and installed it.
I have recently had several flat tires. I haven't had one for years, then I get several.
I also have a plug kit and inflator in the Cruze, which I bought before I got a spare. I was mighty glad I had that spare when I got a flat on the interstate recently. Trying to plug and inflate the tire on the side of a busy highway would not have been fun.
I know it's slightly off-topic but I just gotta tell. My neighbor's daughter has been running the dinky spare on the RF of her late model Hyundai Sonata for MONTHS (at least four months). What kind of idiot would do that, and, what kind of idiot would let his kid do that? For a couple of weeks the thing was even low on air and you could see it bulging out.
Car is a 2014 911, the spare is not a graceful option:
http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/991SPARE.html
I will go the plug kit/slime compressor route. Just never have not had a spare!
http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/991SPARE.html
I will go the plug kit/slime compressor route. Just never have not had a spare!
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
I know it's slightly off-topic but I just gotta tell. My neighbor's daughter has been running the dinky spare on the RF of her late model Hyundai Sonata for MONTHS (at least four months). What kind of idiot would do that, and, what kind of idiot would let his kid do that? For a couple of weeks the thing was even low on air and you could see it bulging out.
I would send parent to jail! Seriously!
Unfortunately, here constitution guarantees rights to extremely stupid people too.
I know it's slightly off-topic but I just gotta tell. My neighbor's daughter has been running the dinky spare on the RF of her late model Hyundai Sonata for MONTHS (at least four months). What kind of idiot would do that, and, what kind of idiot would let his kid do that? For a couple of weeks the thing was even low on air and you could see it bulging out.
I would send parent to jail! Seriously!
Unfortunately, here constitution guarantees rights to extremely stupid people too.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
I know it's slightly off-topic but I just gotta tell. My neighbor's daughter has been running the dinky spare on the RF of her late model Hyundai Sonata for MONTHS (at least four months). What kind of idiot would do that, and, what kind of idiot would let his kid do that? For a couple of weeks the thing was even low on air and you could see it bulging out.
I would send parent to jail! Seriously!
Unfortunately, here constitution guarantees rights to extremely stupid people too.
I'm always amused every time I see a car by the side of the road, with a low temp spare on, and another flat tire. And, they want to drive at 70+ mph without a care in the world.
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
I know it's slightly off-topic but I just gotta tell. My neighbor's daughter has been running the dinky spare on the RF of her late model Hyundai Sonata for MONTHS (at least four months). What kind of idiot would do that, and, what kind of idiot would let his kid do that? For a couple of weeks the thing was even low on air and you could see it bulging out.
I would send parent to jail! Seriously!
Unfortunately, here constitution guarantees rights to extremely stupid people too.
I'm always amused every time I see a car by the side of the road, with a low temp spare on, and another flat tire. And, they want to drive at 70+ mph without a care in the world.
The one in my 89 Accord still looked brand new after 23 years. I once had to drive 100 miles home in the middle of the night from Possum Kingdom Lake with it on the rear and I sweated the whole trip. I used to check it at least twice a year to keep up the pressure. You can definitely feel the difference when using it. Ugh!
For a roadside repair, you probably need more stuff than just a compressor, and plug kit. I would not like to even try and just plug a tire, on the car, lying in the mud, at night, by the side of the road, in the rain, or snow, without beforehand practice. You really need at a minimum, a light weight, low jack, and a lug wrench to get it off the car, if not frozen to the hub. Then you can get it into a good working position, and you will definitely want a pair of pliers, to get out whatever it is. Beyond that, cell phone.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Originally Posted By: Traction
For a roadside repair, you probably need more stuff than just a compressor, and plug kit. I would not like to even try and just plug a tire, on the car, lying in the mud, at night, by the side of the road, in the rain, or snow, without beforehand practice. You really need at a minimum, a light weight, low jack, and a lug wrench to get it off the car, if not frozen to the hub. Then you can get it into a good working position, and you will definitely want a pair of pliers, to get out whatever it is. Beyond that, cell phone.
Yes, very good point. I also forgot to add that with compressor I have jack, pliers but also you need very good flash light and considering we are not here professional tire repair guys, maybe even flash light that has cord and can get plug into lighter socket, if not that, then reserve battery pack for flash light. Also, you should have work gloves, maybe thicker ones to keep your fingers also warm a bit.
For a roadside repair, you probably need more stuff than just a compressor, and plug kit. I would not like to even try and just plug a tire, on the car, lying in the mud, at night, by the side of the road, in the rain, or snow, without beforehand practice. You really need at a minimum, a light weight, low jack, and a lug wrench to get it off the car, if not frozen to the hub. Then you can get it into a good working position, and you will definitely want a pair of pliers, to get out whatever it is. Beyond that, cell phone.
Yes, very good point. I also forgot to add that with compressor I have jack, pliers but also you need very good flash light and considering we are not here professional tire repair guys, maybe even flash light that has cord and can get plug into lighter socket, if not that, then reserve battery pack for flash light. Also, you should have work gloves, maybe thicker ones to keep your fingers also warm a bit.
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