Flat Tire--Now What?

[JimG]

for Globe Tire!

I picked up a nail on the way home from the Monterey Historics last month. I was able to limp to a gas station and, since it still held air, I filled it up and continued. Had a little more than 100 miles to go so I stopped about every 25-30 miles to re-inflate, but didn't use the fix-a-flat. Went to Globe in Manhattan Beach the next day (per Qais / South Bay's recommendations) and when they dismounted the tire they saw the sidewall had some damage from driving with very low pressure. Fortunately they keep 3 or 4 sets of the A048LTS Yokohama tires in stock, so I was back on the road in a couple of hours.

But to the point of the thread, without a real spare all you can hope to do with fix-a-flat is get to a safe place and figure out what to do next. I refuse to be afraid to use the car because I might get a flat. I drove though Arizona last summer and to Monterey this summer, and I figure on a road trip if something unexpected happens it's just part of the adventure. I have AAA premier coverage and a credit card for emergencies.

[holmz]

This is too funny...
I did a trip a half way across Australia, 2900km into the outback with a can-o-fix-flat. <avatar as proof...>
I didn't even have cell phone coverage, about 90% of the time.
And when I got here the rears won't pass the registration as they were looking like tellie-S, but just about perfect except for being cooked-off

What me worry?

If the can-o-fix-a-flat doesn't work you are gonna need a tire.
And no one has em lying around for a <whatever that kit car is - your drivin sport>.

So you really only need a cell phone and someone to be able to send a tire, which is why you need to save one or two of the used ones that look like Kojak.

The preparedness is good, but planks of 2x4s and compressors seem to defeat the light weight approach, and a spare tyre is worse yet... Where would you even put the thing? I had a suitcase in the passenger seat.
I suppose the compressor and the plug kit (maybe) - but that is what tire repair guys are for.

That trip across Mexico sounds good though...
I think that Hombrere from Monterey would be a good guy to stay intouch with... Seemed like a quailty guy from his posts. I seem to recall his name was Dave (maybe Jimenez) from memory.