crazy scenario for a flat tire

[michael kuzni]

i was getting on a freeway entrance yesterday when all of a sudden i started hearing my rear left tire start to sound like it was running with a 2 inch pole stuck to it. that indeed was the case. an industrial grade bolt that was a good half inch in diameter was in my tire. this has never happened to me before, so i just did what made the most sense to me at the time. i stopped on the freeway entrance, looked at it, noticed i was about 40 miles away from home (next to my college) and took into consideration how long the air would last me. so i did the smart thing and changed the tire there and then and put a spare on....NOT! I got back in the car and gunned it to the next exit where the gas station was. about ten seconds into the drive, the ride got smooth. i figured the tip had broken off flush with the tire and that i could go back to class for a few hours more and put some air in it before i went home. nonetheless, the tire started to wobble and my car smelled like burning rubber since i was basically riding on the outside of the tire. i got to the gas station, put 50 PSI of pressure into the tire and gunned it home. half way home the tire was flat on the ground and i was still driving. i went home in the slow lane at 30mph all while on the phone ordering a new tire (michelin PS2, these things aren't cheap) since they were pretty close to new, i only ordered one tire. i drove the car from my house, to the tire place with a flat tire. even got on the freeway again for about 3 miles. if i was supposed to have a cracked rim, or a destroyed lip or in the middle of a huge accident, none of that happened. luckily. i replaced the tire today and put nitrogen in all the tires (first time doing it, we'll see how that goes) check out these crazy pics of what i did to the tire. i was destined to get my money's worth for that one $450 tire. i drove about 40miles total on a blown tire. shredded the tire, these are strips from it inside wall

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[macbryanie]

That is crazy..and really lucky (no rim damage) etc
I've one of those tyre inflation/sealer air cans in the boot but never used it and doubt it would have been help with that puncture.

[michael kuzni]

it was definitely a great experience.

[thtguy]

I am very shocked the tire didn't completely come apart with the distance you drove. No wheel damage is amazing. I would never try it, for that I am sure. did you not have road hazard on the existing tire?

[AMG3.2]

Dang that sucks Michael! At least no wheel damage though.

[AMG Sleeper]

Originally Posted by thtguy

I am very shocked the tire didn't completely come apart with the distance you drove. No wheel damage is amazing. I would never try it, for that I am sure. did you not have road hazard on the existing tire?

that's what i was wondering too?

[lkfoster]

Originally Posted by AMG Sleeper

that's what i was wondering too?

Me too. There is a spare....

[michael kuzni]

Originally Posted by lkfoster

Me too. There is a spare....

that's a spare tire? i thought it was just a rear weight so that i don't sit there and do a burnout at every launch..

[lkfoster]

It may be dead weight most of the time, but it does come in handy from time to time like when you can't find a replacement 18" tire at Yosemite. At least it's better than the American wife's Audi with a can of stop leak and a compressor.

[Mark.D]

Hope you didn't bend the wheel.

[Apox]

Now the real question is: Who the hell leaves bolts and nails around for people to drive over? I had like a 5 inch rusty nail pop my tire once, pisses me off.

[Sea55]

PS2's .... My favorite tire.... Although I remember going through them really fast on my old c32.. my 55 had hankooks on them and I dislike the compound, lots of rear wheel hop. GLAD you made it back safe!