Stranded by a flat tire?

Spares are a good security blanket but I have been able to get out of a seriously damaged tire with a plug kit and fix a flat. I had a spare but the lug wrench from the dealership wouldn't fit the lug nuts. The hole was so big I eventually had to install 2 plugs and use fix a flat. I had to air it up a couple times but made it about 100 miles to the tire store the next morning just fine. But everyone should do what they're comfortable with. Not everyone has experience dealing with flats.

 

I've never used a plug kit. You've answered my question about whether it's possible to plug a tire that's still on the car. Did you have to use a jack to get the tire off the ground for easy rotational positioning? Do you carry a bottle of water to help locate the leak? Was it immediately clear the first plug wasn't going to be sufficient or did you have to stop again to install the second plug? I applaud your persistence and congratulate you on your ability to go so far on your plugged tire.

@neal adkins and other fellow forum members, do you have recommendations for a specific plug kit? Some appear to have flimsy tools for reaming and plugging.

 

If the leak is so small it's hard to find, then you should be able to stop as needed and add air with the compressor and only use fix a flat (if nessacary) until you can get to a shop. As I remember you just position the valve stem at 4 or 8 o'clock by rolling forward a little if you need to add the fix a flat sealant. Also tire pressure has to be low enough for sealant to easily enter into the tire. See instructions. The T handle reemer is a little easier to use. I have had success using rtv silicone as an adhesive instead of the cheap glue in the kit. Of course it's only a temporary fix, although I have driven on a plugged tire with no problems.

 

I have had anxiety with no spare on road trips which I do weekly. I researched the hub size etc on wheel-size.com and after finding a 2005 acura TL in the junkyard with a 17" wheel I decided to give it a go. https://www.wheel-size.com/size/acura/tl/2005/

The backspacing was shy of 5mm but I figured I could get a wheel spacer if the tire rubbed but it did not. Luckily I also found from tire specs on tirerack.com that a 215/55/r17 has the same circumference as our stock factory tires. Double lucky is this TL had that size on it and the locking lug was absent!

Eighty six dollars later in fees etc I had it on the car and it fits, is hubcentric like our factory 18 wheel and easily clears the front calipers. I drove with it on to lunch and back and could not tell any difference, the steering wheel stayed straight with no pull and no issue with 70 mph speed limits.

 

With a low profile harbor freight jack and battery impact I can swap it in about 8 minutes including putting up the tools back in the trunk. I highly recommend the beefier jack and battery impact wrench if you don't mind carrying a little more cargo. Much easier to change a flat this way.

Jack: https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/jacks-jack-stands/15-ton-aluminum-rapid-pump-racing-floor-jack-64545.html

Similar Impact wrench to my milwaukee: https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-cordless-12-in-xtreme-torque-impact-wrench-kit-with-40-ah-battery-fast-charger-and-case-64195.html?_br_psugg_q=impact+wrench

 

Seems like a nice workable solution, but that is a lot of baggage to carry around (the full-size spare plus the floor jack, etc).
I am curious about your modus operendi. You mention 'weekly' road trips - How far are these road trips? Do you carry this around all the time, or do you take it out in-between the road trips?

 

We always toss the spare in the trunk for out of town trips. Flat tires due to tire failure are quite rare. Flats that can be fixed with the kit in the Clarity is a possibility. In the past ten years I've had two flats, both unrepairable due to sidewall damage.

Around town there are solutions. On the road is another story. I hate having to eat up the trunk space with a spare but it is a comfort.

 

My goal was to be as self sufficient as I can since I'm on the road about 7 hours in late evenings of driving in the boonies and interstates both. I don't intend on hauling the extra cargo of the full size spare all the time like in town but when I plan on trips of an hour or more I'll load it up and have peace of mind since I don't need all that trunk space for anything else. I was afraid the e35 doughnut spare would sacrifice drivability and faster interstate speeds. Also it was not available today either. LOL

My data point might not be for everyone but I wanted to have as much drivability as possible with minimal customization (none really) while still saving money for more tools and peace of mind and ease of tire changes since I'm becoming more of a grumpy old man everyday. For just me the Clarity is a little on the big and fancy side but I really enjoy the low cost of ownership and how it drives and the plush comfort. A full size acura 17" TL spare is perfect for my temporary needs.

 

I have a plug kit in the trunk. Usually you can spot the puncture as most of the time the leak is caused by a nail or screw. I have plug tires while it is still on the car. But it could be a pain of the !@#! if it is on the rear wheels.

 

Guess I've been lucky, but I haven't had to change a flat tire while on the road since 1978! Having no spare doesn't cause me the least bit of anxiety for a road trip. I do keep a plug kit in the lower trunk compartment just in case.

 

This is how I mounted my infinity spare: Still left room for two golf bags and a small suitcase.

 

If you do a search in this forum, I initially mildly mocked people who complained about the lack of a spare. I explained that in the 30+ years of my driving, I have had two flat tires and so it made no sense to carry a spare.

In the four years I have owned the Clarity, I have had TWO flat tires that completely destroyed the tires where they had to be replaced. I'll throw in a minor plug here for "Discount Tire" where I bought my tires with their "replacement warranty" - both times they simply replaced the dead tires with new ones with absolutely no questions asked.

 

We got stranded twice, luckily around town. Both times the holes were too large to patch. OEM Michelin Energy tires suck big time. Changed to Michelin Pilot, seems better (knock on wood) but range dropped from 48 miles to about 43 =(
It's such a pain to wait for AAA flatbed to tow it and sometimes Costco or even the dealers don't have the tire in stock. So you have to wait for them to order the OEM Michelin Energy tires. So, mainly use the car for in town commute which is great. Can't trust it for road trip when the cell service can be spotty. That's the reason we are still holding off on BEV or Tesla unless we carry a spare tire. I wish the dealer would just sell the spare tires + rim. Junk yard wanted $300 for OEM Clarity wheels. Sigh.