Creative ways to get home with a flat tire if you do not have a spare

[AikenSC4S]

My recent purchase of a 2006 C4S Cab is the first car I have owned where I am not planning on carrying a spare tire. I am trying to think of creative ways to get home if I do have a flat but I know those of you who have been long term owners must have faced this problem before. What are your "words of wisdom" for surviving the flat with no spare experience? Thanks!

[AceOfAces]

Hmmm good question I guess I have really never thought about being in this scenario.

I would imagine buying a portable air compressor for the small hole leaks, just stop every 4-5 blocks and pump more air into those flat tires! Maybe having around some really strong tape as well for those leaks that you can spot might be handy as a temporary solution to getting you home. Anything more serious to the tires I have about 4-5 phone numbers of 24 hour flatbed tow truck drivers handy.

Curious to what other solutions anyone here would have :cheers:

[Danw8976]

Do you guys not have tyre weld in the us?

[0356kid]

My 08 C2S has an on board compressor and tire sealant for "small" problems (in the front trunk area). After that (in the U.S.) I have premium AAA coverage that'll get you a free tow for a lot of miles. Beyond that, make sure your tires are in good shape with plenty of tread depth and especially watch the rear tires on the inside due to a slightly negative camber.

Tony

[Uwon]

I always carry a tubeless tire repair kit, latex gloves and a throw away monkey suit. Already saved my backon while vacationing on the eastern seabord where I picked up a spike. Plug is still holding after 2 years. Have now also installed after market pressure sensors. Not much else that you can do if you want to maintain valuable trunk space. M2CW.

[0356kid]

When I mentioned my on board compressor and tire sealant, this is a factory installed item in the bulkhead of the front trunk area. My car is an 08. Were these not installed on all 997's since you have no spare tire

[AikenSC4S]

Yes, the 06 came with compressor and tire sealant. Have read posts about the tire sealant taking up to 3 hrs to work though.

I have never heard of tyre weld in the US. What is it?

[Danw8976]

Basically tire sealant but works in 5 minuets and works well!

Edited June 19, 2012 by Danw8976

[Henrik68]

Was not compressor and tire sealant included in the 05 ?

[RFM]

Yes Henrik it was, at least for Europe.

[michelin]

Also remember the sealant has an expiry date !!!!

[Amge63]

Well, this guy used a tree!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWfzPLeQSAM

[Steve Kellett]

sealant has expiration date of 4 years. dealer wants $90 for new can of sealant. I carry big can of fix a flat I my car just in case.

[FlatSixS]

Here are the options:

1.- I you don't want (or not feel particularly handy to deal with a flat tire fix on the road); the easiest way is to call your Road Assistance from your car's insurance, wait on the side of the road and flat bed your car to a tire shop or dealer. Obviously this option sometimes won't be the most faster, safer or practical.  

2.- Use the OE sealant and compressor that comes with the car and see if the air hold up to safe drive the car. Later you should bring the car to a tire shop/dealer for proper cleaning inside and proper fixing of the tire puncture. Your TPMS system should be checked too.

3.- As an extra option -as was suggested previously above by Uwon-, is to get a tubeless tire repair kit. If you can identify/find out the puncture location in the tire, and is reparable with the kit, you can do it on the spot and use the air compressor to inflate the tire, then you're back on the road. This smart choice doesn't use too much space in your "frunk", and provides an extra tool to fix a flat tire (aside from the sealant).

4.- Another alternative: I bough on eBay an spare tire with the Porsche OE jack kit (from an 996) and I placed (fitted) in my frunk, together with a HF torque wrench, rubber globes, small foam knee pads and some rags. Be aware that for the 997S (with 19" wheels and bigger brake calipers), you will need to add also a 5 mm spacer (for front wheel) and a set of longer bolt lugs, so the spare tire won't rub brake calipers. I tested it in my 997.1 C2S cabriolet and it worked fine. Of course, with this option, frunk space is almost gone, but for the occasional trips that I do with my wife, the back seats are then used for small luggage below/above the folded backseats, and was enough for our weekend trips to nearer cities. Be aware that if this option is used, you will end up with a huge wheel in your backseat (as won't fit in the frunk), so luggage must be moved there to make space behind the seats for the replaced wheel/tire. An extra item: add a garbage plastic bag to cover the wheel in that case so dirt won't land in your carpet or seats.      

Edited August 1, 2022 by FlatSixS

[FlatSixS]

[FlatSixS]

Forgot to mention another alternative (5th): (although a bit expensive) but you get more frunk space...

Spare Tire Kit - 997 ($1595)