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I carry the spare tire 100% of the time. Before I bought a spare I had a flat in the courthouse parking lot 7 miles from my house. It took 6 hours to get the car towed to the dealer, a replacement tire installed and return to home. That isn't isn't much different than being stranded 50 miles from home. With a spare I could have changed the tire and been on my way in about 15 minutes.
Tire shops in my area will not repair Pirelli run flats due to Pirelli"s no-repair policy.
I carry the spare tire 100% of the time. Before I bought a spare I had a flat in the courthouse parking lot 7 miles from my house. It took 6 hours to get the car towed to the dealer, a replacement tire installed and return to home. That isn't isn't much different than being stranded 50 miles from home. With a spare I could have changed the tire and been on my way in about 15 minutes.
Tire shops in my area will not repair Pirelli run flats due to Pirelli"s no-repair policy.
Good point, maybe my Hankooks can't be repaired either, I will find out tomorrow, too busy to deal with the flat tire now.
Once I get the spare/tools I will see how heavy and how much room it takes.
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
The run-flat "no repair" policies have a lot to do with the fact that running on a RF with zero (or very low) pressure compromises the structural integrity of the tire. It basically crushes down on itself holding the weight of the car. When you re-inflate the tire can't be relied on to hold the weight of the car should you have another issue with 0 pressure. This introduces a liability issue on top of a potential safety issue. I don't know for sure how significant this affect is if you haven't driven on the tire with it at 0 psi etc.
The run-flat "no repair" policies have a lot to do with the fact that running on a RF with zero (or very low) pressure compromises the structural integrity of the tire. It basically crushes down on itself holding the weight of the car. When you re-inflate the tire can't be relied on to hold the weight of the car should you have another issue with 0 pressure. This introduces a liability issue on top of a potential safety issue. I don't know for sure how significant this affect is if you haven't driven on the tire with it at 0 psi etc.
Good point and I am probably covered there as I didn't drive the wagon with less than 32 lbs pressure.
Sitting in the garage overnight however the tire leaked down to 15 lbs and looked almost "flat".
Will take the Wagon to a tire place tomorrow and get the verdict.
Here's some useful information on repairing RF tires. The policies depend on the manufacturer and if the tire has been driven in a severely underinflated or zero pressure condition. Either way it has to pass an inspection to see if it's suitable for repair.
Tire repair shop’s no runflat repair policy has more to do with profit than safety. If the nail is in the inside treads, its perfect safe to patch runflat since the sidewall is holding the cars weight, not the treads. I had one shop turned me down on runflat repair and the another shop within the chain patch it.
Here's some useful information on repairing RF tires. The policies depend on the manufacturer and if the tire has been driven in a severely underinflated or zero pressure condition. Either way it has to pass an inspection to see if it's suitable for repair.
Tire repair shop’s no runflat repair policy has more to do with profit than safety. If the nail is in the inside treads, its perfect safe to patch runflat since the sidewall is holding the cars weight, not the treads. I had one shop turned me down on runflat repair and the another shop within the chain patch it.
Ok, good info Gentlemen, thx.
I am really lusting for brand new Michelins anyways so if the tire shop refuse to patch the bad tire, or give me a song and a dance and have to check with a supervisor, I will just get 4 new Non-Run-Flats and call it a day. (At a different shop maybe)
The old Hankooks on the car now have 6-7,000 miles on them and have a few years left IF the bad one can be patched.
Don't like the ride or noise however so new Michelins can be justified.
As for driving around with a tire gauge in the car: It was just an oversight on my part, call it a brain-fart, I normally do., .
I always carry basic tools, a flashlight and a Rambo knife in the car, except this time..
Yes, a 12 volt compressor is also on the list, lots of room under the aft cargo floor in the wagon for tools and a compressor, really a well for a spare, but MB crossed it with a piece of Aluminum, probably to shore up the floor as the US cars get no spare.
Question: I have never used a foam bottle to patch and blow up a flat tire: Will the foam ruin the tire and the balance in the long run, OR can the foam be removed
later and the tire be patched back to normal? (Asking for a friend.)
Sent an email to my MB Service Advisor a few days ago, asking for THEIR price on 4 new tires, installation, balance, etc.?
(Might as well go with my local MB place, Nitrogen and all.)
No response, but cruised their website today: MB of Daytona Beach, had positive experience there before, even impressed.
They are a few $ hundred more expensive on 4 tires, not a surprise, but disappointing they never responded to my inquiry for a quote on the tires.
Several months ago, I had a screw in my right front Pirelli run-flat. Took it straight to Discount Tire, they removed the screw, plugged the tire, and I have had zero issues with the repair. Tire pressures and temps are consistent across the front and rear, and regardless of interstate or local driving, no issues at all. I will say that when it comes time to replace these tires, I will be leaning on going back with the run-flat Pirellis, even after changing my two previous MB vehicles over to Michelin non-RFT. Perhaps it is the 18" diameter on this car, vs the 19" on my previous two, but the ride with this tire is most acceptable.
Several months ago, I had a screw in my right front Pirelli run-flat. Took it straight to Discount Tire, they removed the screw, plugged the tire, and I have had zero issues with the repair. Tire pressures and temps are consistent across the front and rear, and regardless of interstate or local driving, no issues at all. I will say that when it comes time to replace these tires, I will be leaning on going back with the run-flat Pirellis, even after changing my two previous MB vehicles over to Michelin non-RFT. Perhaps it is the 18" diameter on this car, vs the 19" on my previous two, but the ride with this tire is most acceptable.
Hmm, ok sounds good.
I liked the Pirellis on my MG sport cars in Europe 46 years ago.
Will try Michelins now, they have THE best reputation here in the US these days.
Question: I have never used a foam bottle to patch and blow up a flat tire: Will the foam ruin the tire and the balance in the long run, OR can the foam be removed
later and the tire be patched back to normal? (Asking for a friend.)
The key is not to drive on runflats with zero air or you will ruin the sidewall and the tire should be replace if thats the case. If you get a nail, keep some air in the tire periodically with a compressor when driving home. The foam sealants are removable, make sure you tell the mechanic of the sealant. Buy sealants that are non-flammable and TPMS friendly
Mich PS4 or Conti DWS06 or Conti ProContacts are 3 of the very best tires on these cars. If you live in hot weather, no need for the DWS (Dry, Wet & Snow) just spring for the Mich Pilot tires. I have the Mich PS4 on my 5-series and they are awesome. I have the DWS06 on my SLK are they are equally awesome. Like you, my plan is to replace my current Conti ProContact RFs with Mich PS4 once I get a flat or a nail or just plain ol' usage off them.
Ok, it's back, Ryobi 1/2 inch impact wrench good for 375 foot pounds which should be enough to remove lug nuts from a car and it comes with a free gift which includes a tire inflator and it also comes with a battery and charger for $99. The inflator that comes as a free gift is alone normally $70. Only for today. But maybe it'll be back again someday as they also had this on a special buy not too long ago. Seems to be only one setting at 375 but you could always get a torque stick set which limits the maximum torque to whatever stick you use. Either a single one for tires or get a whole set. Also for tires, Costco usually has the best deal as they always seem to discount Michelins every few weeks if you can wait for them. Road hazard is included for free up to 5 years and it's free flat repair, rotation and balance. You can also make an appointment to skip the super long wait if you just walk in.
Update:
Got the leaky tire patched at Discount TIres, no charge. Will run these Run Flats a few more miles, then buy the Michelins in a few months.
(Have to quit spending money on houses and boats first)
Noticed today that the tire actually has a plug in it, rather than a patch..
I know, plugs are ok, but patches are better...?
Got the Modern Spare kit today and decided to take it for a spin to check that everything is working.
Took me 12-15 minutes to remove the left front and mount the spare and about the same in reverse.
My initial thought driving on the spare was that it was "thumping", like it had a flat spot, I only went down the street
and back 2-3 minutes, maybe the thumping went away, Checked the pressure, 55 psi, 60 was the target. Close enough.
The Modern Spare kit was nice, everything was included and seemed to be good quality.
What I will need is cushion or pillow for the knees and a pair of light gloves.
Used an empty beer case to sit on instead but pillow next,.
All good,
Update:
Got the leaky tire patched at Discount TIres, no charge. Will run these Run Flats a few more miles, then buy the Michelins in a few months.
(Have to quit spending money on houses and boats first)
Noticed today that the tire actually has a plug in it, rather than a patch..
I know, plugs are ok, but patches are better...?
It's both. A proper tire repair involves patching and plugging it from the inside. The plug keeps moisture from getting to the belts and cause corrosion.
Last edited by superswiss; Feb 28, 2023 at 04:18 PM.
It's both. A proper tire repair involves patching and plugging it from the inside. The plug keeps moisture from getting to the belts and cause corrosion.
I will leave the tools, the gloves, etc in the trunk, under the floor where the Teutonic Engineers made space for a spare tire:
No spare for us Yanks in the colonies so the space under the aft floor is a free-bee for tools, rags, and stuff.
My Modern Spare will only be carried for long road trips. Need a flat floor for my doggie, she goes to the doggie park every day, or for a boat ride,
Took the skinny spare to Discount Tire today for a balance and to get the pressure adjusted from 55 to 60lbs.
They added air, but refused to balance it.
I asked WHY and the tech responded I was not supposed to drive on it: Only for emergencies!!
Told him I understood that, but I also wanted a balanced tire for my next emergency.
He replied there is no way he could balance it.
Yeah, I will contact Modern Spare and perhaps another tire place about balancing, but does this sound weird to you guys?
Never heard of balancing a compact spare. Full size spare yes, but the spare would already be balanced from the factory, so why do you want it balanced again? I'm assuming this spare has a 50 mph speed limit and max distance of 50 miles like compact spares do, so really even if you have a bit of a wobble on the drive to the next tire shop what does it matter? Wondering if the balancing machine simply doesn't have the parameters for these compact spares.
Spare tire in the garage for short trips, spare in the trunk for longer trips.
(My grocery store and dog park is 2-3 miles away, no need to lug a spare and tools around all the time. I don't carry the life raft in my boat for a trip down the
canal, but crossing to the Bahamas I do.)
That spare tire is M rated up to speed of 81 mph. They should be able to balance that tire, try a different shop. Mechanics don't like to balance spare because you are suppose to go slow on them.
Honestly, if I were going to store my spare tire in the garage and only use it on road trips, I would have bought a matching size spare.
I've never used the small spare, a long time since our cars had one but I cannot see why a tyre shop would not balance the wheel if the customer ask that. The wheel from the factory is not "out of balance" to make it safer to drive (to avoid speeding). Perhaps the tyre shop did not have weights for a steel wheel.
the tyre shop did not have weights for a steel wheel.
The spare is aluminum, not steel.
Once the new spare tire is balance from the factory, it should stay balance until you drive on it or something fail.
Don't think so, no weights on it and I felt or heard a weird thumping when I took it for a spin, not sure what it was, but a balance machine
should find any problem.
Honestly, if I were going to store my spare tire in the garage and only use it on road trips, I would have bought a matching size spare.
Good point, but a full size wheel is twice as big and twice as heavy, this 81 mph spare is a good compromise.
At any rate, I sent a message to Discount Tire head quarters, they asked the regional managers to deal with it and yesterday I got a call from the manager
at my local Discount Tire store: He was very nice and invited me to come in with the spare and have it balanced.
Will do just that tomorrow.
Stay tuned.
Good point, but a full size wheel is twice as big and twice as heavy, this 81 mph spare is a good compromise.
At any rate, I sent a message to Discount Tire head quarters, they asked the regional managers to deal with it and yesterday I got a call from the manager
at my local Discount Tire store: He was very nice and invited me to come in with the spare and have it balanced.
Will do just that tomorrow.
Stay tuned.
From tirerack: "The smaller physical size requires the Kumho T121 spare tires be maintained with 60 psi cold tire inflation pressures and driving speeds restricted to 50 mph maximum driving speeds."
A full size spare is better for your application since you are only using the spare on long trips. If get a falt on a long trip, you could just replace the tire and not have to look for a tire repair shop while you are on your road trip.
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Perhaps the tyre shop did not have weights for a steel wheel.
