Flat Tire--Now What?

[lpmnorth]

You get a flat tire on your Lotus!

What do you do?
Tire shops are closed!
If you are close to home?
If your are out of town?

I think we need to share our tales.

Thanks.

LPM

[codymac]

Tire plug kit.

[lpmnorth]

It finally happened. I went out for a nice Saturday drive on the Crest.

It was a great drive and only one bike went off the hill, so there was only a short wait while they landed the Rescue Copter.

Had lunch at the local biker hang out and headed home. Getting on the freeway I heard a sound coming from the right rear--like an object in the tire. Before I could pull over, the noise stopped. So I figured it was a rock and I drove on. A few miles later on the 118 Fwy. (4 miles from home) the tire goes flat and I see and smell rubber smoke. I really felt no sensation of a flat tire. Now I pull over and can't risk opening the door with traffic wizzing by. Within two minutes a Metro Freeway Service Patrol Vehicle pulls up. He looks at the tire and said it looks flat and tries to put air in it. But, it leaks out real fast. He feels I can drive to a safer spot on it. And I did. Then I called triple A.

To make a long story short--3 tow trucks arrived to tow the $250,000 Lotus (that's what they thought)back to my house.

I did notice a news copter flying over. I sure hope it wasn't a slow news day.

No damage to the car or wheel and I will replace the tire this week. I guess it could have been real pain.

Let's hear your stories.

LPM

[Randy Chase]

No flats yet. Did you try the can of fix-a-flat?

[lpmnorth]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

No flats yet. Did you try the can of fix-a-flat?

No-- It was probably a 1/2" Lag bolt and by the time I got over the tire had torn on the inside side wall. I'll attach pictures later in the week.


LPM

[25psi_Elise_Killer]

I know Just Tires are open Sundays. Pep Boys maybe?

[LARRY]

I carry two extra new Fix-a-Flats in my trunk wrapped in foam. The one that comes with the car is not big enough.

When I got a flat, I used the cans. They worked fine.

Then to Globe Tire in Redondo Beach for a real fix. They know the Lotus Elise/Exige and do a great job.

If a nail is in the sidewall it can't be repaired. Anywhere else it can probably be plugged.

Otherwise, call AAA and ask for a flatbed tow truck...they are the best way to tow the car without possibly dragging the rear end.

(Just a note for EVO owners, you HAVE to have a flat bed because you have 4 wheel drive.)

[Audiophile]

This is the reason I want to get a spare set of wheels, 98% of my driving is done with in a 1/2 mile of my home, even in the event I get a flat I should be able to be back on the road in under 2 hours(worst case scenario). All I have to do is find someone, have them come get me, grab the correct wheel(front/rear), jack and breaker bar then get back to the car and on the road again.

As someone who was in the tire biz for too long, I just can't bring myself to you fix-a-flat type sealants.

[Notorious L.R.G.]

Where is the "Stock" fix-a-flat? I have never found mine.

[xtn]

Originally Posted by LARRY

When I got a flat, I used the cans. They worked fine.

Then to Globe Tire in Redondo Beach for a real fix.

Huh? You would repair and keep running a tire that had been "fix-a-flatted???"

xtn

[Randy Chase]

Originally Posted by Notorious L.R.G.

Where is the "Stock" fix-a-flat? I have never found mine.

Open the boot. Reach up above the passenger wheel well. It is clipped to the clam there.

[mark.r]

I carry a small kit which contains plugs, green tire goo and a small 12volt pump.

[RacyTracy]

Originally Posted by Notorious L.R.G.

Where is the "Stock" fix-a-flat? I have never found mine.

You have to climb into the boot area to find it. That's why they have the emergency release handle....in case the lid slams shut on you.

[jlee]

is there really a stock flat tire kit in the car ? you guys are pulling my leg..

i used a can of fix a flat from the store and it was a complete disaster, i emptied the entire can and it wasn't enough air to pump the tire back up and it didn't plug the hole. I had to find a shop that would use the plug kit.

even after the glue from the fix a flat can hardened and threw the wheel so off balance the car shook horribly..

so how do you use fix a flat then plug it ??

jeff

[codymac]

Originally Posted by jlee

is there really a stock flat tire kit in the car ? you guys are pulling my leg..

Look harder, it's there.

If you pull back a bloody stump then you've also got the much sought after trunk-monkey package.

[mark.r]

Originally Posted by jlee

even after the glue from the fix a flat can hardened and threw the wheel so off balance the car shook horribly..
jeff

This is currently going on in my Olds. Slow leak caused me to put two cans in and the now the tire vibrates so bad the car sakes extremely bad at highway speeds.

[lpmnorth]

Hi Guys,

Let's get back to the thread. If the fix-a-flat does not work and you are over 200 miles from home--now what?

The corner gas station does not have a tire for a Lotus. No Tire Racks or high end tire stores close by. Let's really discuss this problem if we are going to drive our cars to all ends of the earth. I don't think Pep Boys has a 225-45 R17 Yokohama AD07 LTS.

Maybe there is a tire that can get me home. I could always rent a car and come back with a tire for the Lotus. Should I have 2 spare tires and wheels in the garage?

I was hoping to take an extended vacation with the Lotus but, now I am a bit paranoid. My 800 mile trip last month up the coast and thru the back country is now a memory. A blown tire --well that might of left a lasting impression. Let's not put our heads in the sand and come with some sound advice.

LPM

[25psi_Elise_Killer]

Oh, you had a blowout. I'm sure you can find some cheap tire in your size at local tire shops. Then, once you get home install the proper tire.

[25psi_Elise_Killer]

Originally Posted by LARRY

(Just a note for EVO owners, you HAVE to have a flat bed because you have 4 wheel drive.)

Got that covered. I got these stickers at 3 locations on my car. Above my VIN# (since tow operator needs to document your VIN), near front tow hook, and near rear tow hook in case i get towed. Everyone who own a AWD vehicle should have these!

[LARRY]

Originally Posted by lpmnorth

Hi Guys,

Let's get back to the thread. If the fix-a-flat does not work and you are over 200 miles from home--now what?

The corner gas station does not have a tire for a Lotus. No Tire Racks or high end tire stores close by. Let's really discuss this problem if we are going to drive our cars to all ends of the earth. I don't think Pep Boys has a 225-45 R17 Yokohama AD07 LTS.

Maybe there is a tire that can get me home. I could always rent a car and come back with a tire for the Lotus. Should I have 2 spare tires and wheels in the garage?

I was hoping to take an extended vacation with the Lotus but, now I am a bit paranoid. My 800 mile trip last month up the coast and thru the back country is now a memory. A blown tire --well that might of left a lasting impression. Let's not put our heads in the sand and come with some sound advice.

LPM

There is thread after thread on EliseTalk of Lotus owners taking long trips in their cars.

They don't seem to have had too many problems with their tires.

New Aston Martins and Porsches use fix a flat cans for tire emergencies.

Some have a small air compressor in the trunk too...

Hopefully Lotus owners who have taken long trips will respond to you here...regarding your question.