|
|
|
08-24-2009, 09:06 PM | #1 |
Brigadier General
369
Rep 3,547
Posts |
My run flat "solution"
It really isn't a solution but my way to address run flat tires is to carry a little compressor. That is because all except one flat I have had in over 35 years driving has been a slow leak. With a compressor, I could have aired them up and driven to where I could have gotten a proper fix (I think plugs should be installed from inside the tire after pulling it from the rim and include patches or mushroom shaped plugs). After a bunch of googling, I decided on a Viair 70P available for less than $50 delivered. I tried it today after I got it. It raised my rear tires from about 35 psi to over 40 psi very quickly. And it did not blow a fuse plugged into the cigarette lighter. Only issue is the engine had to be running for the cigarette lighter to have electricity. The whole unit is much different from the little cheap units I have used previously. The valve screws onto the tire and appears to be brass. The hose is soft rubber. The cord was long enough to do both rear tires without repositioning the electrical cord. The gauge is a bit off but at least it has one. And an on/off switch. And it pumps significant air quickly and quietly. It even has little rubber feet.
Jim
__________________
128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport
Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09 |
08-24-2009, 09:16 PM | #2 |
An ex-addict :-(
33
Rep 691
Posts |
__________________
135i Montego Blue, Grey Boston Leather, MT, Sport Package, Premium Package, Navi, Premium Sound, Heated Seats, iPod.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] We search for certainty and call what we find destiny. Everything is possible, yet only one thing happens. -Michael and Ellen Kaplan |
Appreciate
0
|
08-25-2009, 04:42 AM | #3 |
Lieutenant
262
Rep 561
Posts
Drives: '23 M5 Comp
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Columbia, TN
|
That is not going to do anything for you if you REALLY get a flat tire. I have an '04 M3 with a "mobility kit". The last flat tire that I experienced had a hole in the tire the size of a dime. I was stuck on the road and had to had someone take me back home in order to get a spare tire...
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-25-2009, 12:08 PM | #4 |
Brigadier General
369
Rep 3,547
Posts |
fun2drv,
I agree. I haven't had a flat like that but I could. And if I do, either the tire will "run flat" or I will be using the 800 number to get a tow. Yearofthe1, I tried sealant once and it didn't work and I couldn't get the tire plugged due to the sealant. So I do not plan to use it again. I hope it works better for you or that you don't have to try it. I noticed the compressor in your kit is supposed to fill the tire in 7 minutes. I think my 70P is rated to do it in about 3 minutes. Jim
__________________
128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport
Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09 |
Appreciate
0
|
08-25-2009, 01:08 PM | #5 |
Major
53
Rep 1,477
Posts |
I also carry sealant (Tire Slime) and air compressor. I also carry a tire plug kit and a scissor jack and 17mm socket wrench. That way I can remove the tire and plug it if the sealant does not work. It should fix most holes but dime-sized holes and sidewall damage will still leave me stranded.
Tire Plug Kit: http://www.amazon.com/Slime-63-Pc-Co.../dp/B000AS706E Extended Tool Kit: http://leatherz.com/Merchant5/mercha...etyConvenience I would love to get a proper spare tire but with a convertible I do not have the trunk space for one. I would only need it when I am taking a road trip...which is when I need the trunk space for lugagge. The tool kit, compressor, plugs and sealant take enough enough space as is. Spare Tire Kit: http://leatherz.com/Merchant5/mercha...etyConvenience |
Appreciate
0
|
08-26-2009, 12:05 AM | #6 |
Major
16
Rep 1,335
Posts |
i'll just buy another set of RFT when the original wears out.
__________________
6MT/ Sport Package/ N54/ Asa wheels/ Eibach pro kit springs/ Active autowerke Exhaust/ 35% tint
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-26-2009, 10:44 AM | #7 |
Colonel
122
Rep 2,040
Posts
Drives: 2008 135 blk, blk, step
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 1994 Porsche 968 Cab [0.00]
2017 AMG GTS [0.00] 1994 Porsche 968 Coupe [0.00] 1977 Mercedes 450SE ... [0.00] 2008 135 [8.00] |
A pump, slime, mobility kit, etc is a good idea.
But, when you use low profile tires like we have on rough roads, you'll sometimes get blowouts that you can't temporarily salvage. It's even feasible that a run flat won't even let you drive away or for sure will be damage if you do try to drive on it. It might never happen, but it's probably happened to me 3 or 4 times here on Atlanta roads with 35 to 40% profile tires. Slime or a patch kit won't work on a cracked wheels, etc. That's why I ditched the runflats and now have a spare, jack, etc.
__________________
Injen, RR OCC, MadDad Whisper, donut spare, 19x8.5et43fr 19x9.5et45r Volk LE37's, rear fenders rolled/pulled, PSS4S 225/35fr 255/30r, KW V1's, AR coated catless dps, Cross strutbar, CF grills and license plate holder, iCarbon diffuser, ETS black anodized FMIC, M3 control arms, Quaife, ER chargepipe, ForgeDV's, Topspeed Custom Tune, V3sims, Braille, Andrey_GTA rear hub mod, Ebay Mstyle front bumper and performance style side skirts.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-26-2009, 12:49 PM | #8 | ||
Moderator
369
Rep 4,745
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum. |
||
Appreciate
0
|
08-26-2009, 04:17 PM | #9 |
Brigadier General
369
Rep 3,547
Posts |
Gill,
I had not heard of latex sealant. Interesting option. It is apparently pumped into the tire by the air compressor effectively ruining the air hose of the compressor in the process. But a new hose comes with the next tank of sealant so you do not have to replace the whole thing. Interesting option. The "slime" I used you squeezed into the deflated tire and then aired it up. So you didn't damage the compressor but did damage the tire. My data set is very limited but I still wonder how much better it is to use sealant. If the leak is very big, I doubt the sealant will work. And if it is slow, just airing it up, possibly more than once, until you can get it repaired seems like it would work. I'm sure that there is a tire leak that I could have that I'd wish I had sealant but it seems like a fairly narrow set of circumstances. But with the Conti kit, I see no reason you could not try the compressor alone first. Jim
__________________
128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport
Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09 |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|