Ekul61

I'm using the drive up on boards method to get my car high enough to get my jack under the car in my garage. I'm guessing if I was to have a flat away from home I would have to go home and get my boards and jack. Anyone have a easier method to fix a flat when away from home? besides buying run flat tires.

Choreo

GM chose run-flats for a reason - at an additional expense even when trying to keep entry cost down. You will hear all kinds of opinions on getting rid of them. Other than "track" use or not being able to afford run-flats (i.e. probably the C5 to begin with), I cannot see the logic.

When I was a kid, it did not bother me to roll around in the dirt fixing a flat with cars whizzing by. I had a situation a few years ago in my C5 where my Mother was rushed to Emergency with a life-threatening condition and I had to get there fast. Sure enough, half way to the hospital, the DIC lit up informing me that the left front tire was flat. I would not have had time to stop and jack around with a tire - would have had to leave the C5 and hitch a ride!

I have had about 7 run-flats punctured on my C5 over time and I have never had to miss an important appointment because of it. Most of the time when I get a flat, I am driving on a tight schedule, so it is really nice to be able to complete my mission, get back home, and schedule a tire replacement the next day.

I don't look at run-flats as just tires, they are cheap C5 and maybe even "life" and property insurance - depending on where you are when you lose a tire, it could cost you everything.

dblerman

Maybe you should try some non-run flats sometime and you might see the logic. The overall ride QUALITY is night and day with non-run flat tires. They're much more quiet, smoother, and better handling (even with just normal street use).
I have a plug kit and a compressor in my car, and AAA on speed dial if I ever need it.

runner140*

And also have a plug kit, a compressor, a large can of fix-a-flat,
AAA Plus membership, credit card and a cell phone. Works for me, I drive 20,000 miles a year.

chris308

I also carry the above items along with a Mercedes jack.

TXGS507

I did once in my Vette... NO FUN!!

Vetteman Jack

. The only difference is instead of AAA membership, I have emergency road service on my car insurance.

Crosis

I can see the logic in the pump and plug kit but AAA sucks. Their national average for response time is almost 2 hours. Very few people have the time or the desire to spend 2 hours on the side of the road sweating and hoping not to get mugged and killed. AAA is such a poor company.

Socko

When i was a kid i blew out a tire on my mk2 supra, like BLEW it out and had to put on the spare. As an "adult" I have had 5 flat tires on my wrx and sti and never had to put on the spare. I was lucky as hell to always be within 5 miles of my house. It was also of course always my summer tires that were super sticky to pick up stuff and had super hard sidewalls so driving 5 miles at 25-35 is no big deal at all. My wrx or sti tires with 0 air pressure would pull the car to one side so I could tell it was low/flat but it didn't look anything like that picture above. It was almost imperceivable when looking at the tire.

These days I am commonly farther from my house but my insurance covers a tow to $150. I am RARELY that far away. Just have it towed to my house and replace it when i get the chance. I don't carry the pump or fixaflat in my z06. If I'm not on my way to work it's not that big of a deal to wait for the tow truck. Even if I am on my way to work its a good excuse to be late.

dblerman

It's never taken more than 30 minutes for a response from AAA by me. I've never had a problem with them. Link to 2 hour average response time statistic?
My AAA easily pays for itself and then some in discounts every year.

Aerovette

This begs for some kind of ingenuity. Necessity being the mother of invention and all.

I am thinking a three section false cargo floor that is an inch thick. Remove the pieces, stack them, and drive up for jack clearance.

When in place in the cargo area, a carpeted cargo liner would cover it.





Time stamp: 6/21/13 12:47 PM

Baldfart

I have AAA but only used it once. They were there in about 20 minutes!

3sACROWD

I just keep an eye on tire pressures. I added TPMS on my Z for that purpose (in addition to checking with a gage). I had a pallet staple puncture my side wall. I watched the pressure and when needed, stopped to pump air into the tire using the compressor I carry in the car. I was able to travel 60 miles (needed one stop for air) to the tire shop near my house to order a new tire. Filled the tire a second time, then drove another 10 miles home and parked it until the tire came in. I filled the tire for the third time to go back to the shop.

If it isn't a total blowout, you're not necessarily out of luck. Just a little inconvenienced.

Corvette_Ed

chassed

I use my old Fbody jack to get it started.

Ona mission

I carry the plug kit and the compressor and they don't take up much space, Much less then the spare tire that nobody has any way.

Ekul61

So u would inflate the tire. Find the leak and plug it.

cor66vette

Damn, man. You said it in the best way ever.

The "run crap" know-it-alls should take a listen to your post.

Rush Fan

I damaged my sidewall on a non run flat last fall. Hello tow truck.

Ekul61

Sounds like u can get a nice set of non run flats for $900 or less. Run flats are about $1400. I will take my chances with the lesser expensive quieter better handling tires.