LP Beck

A friend and I are taking a 3-4K mile road trip in our Porsches. We usually stay as far away as possible from freeways, preferring those roads less traveled. I'm concerned about the possibility of a flat tire out in the boondocks. Has anyone had the experience of using the goo that Porsche includes along with the compressor in a 997.2? How about other commercial fix-a-flat canisters out there? I've plugged a few motorcycle tires on the road, but am never happy with the idea of making a small puncture bigger in order to get the plug inserted. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Larry.

chuck911

I travel the same way and never worried about it. Carry the pump and goo, never had to use it. That's my recommendation. Not the pump, not the goo: not to worry.

awrryan

I recommend that you carry a plug/patch tire fix lot of some sort. They're only a few bucks at Walmart. I leave it in the trunk. If I was taking a road trip for the distance that you plan to take, I would probably keep a 996 spare wheel in the front trunk and use the rear shelf above the rear seats for luggage. They do make a space saver 997 spare wheel with a collapsible tire, but it's a little wider than a regular 996 spare wheel and tire and may not fit in the front trunk. The narrower 996 spare wheel should work in case of an emergency for short distances. If the flat is on a rear tire, a front wheel needs to be relocated to the back and the SpaceSaver needs to be used only in the front. Hope this helps. By the way, I have never tried a 996 spare wheel on a 997, but I'm told it fits and will work up front in case of an emergency. A friend of mine used one on his 997.

Philster

I take a jack, torque wrench and tire repair kit (get the best one you can find, with a T handle. Order on line, if needed, because stores carry lame ones)... and I just added a strong, portable LED light to the frunk. I am a AAA member, too.

I have repaired a tire in another car with a tire plug kit on the road side. Haven't done so in the Porsche yet.

I've had bad experiences with Fix-a-Flat type products.

As more cars move towards a no-spare set up, you should plan to handle most tire punctures.

I've never had a problem with a tire plug... and I've used many on many high-performance cars for 30+years. You can add a patch later.

EDIT: Plug it... and get the proper repair (patch and plug system) done later. Ok as per Tire Rack.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=77



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Bruce In Philly

I carry a plug kit and a large pair of needle-nose pliers to pull out what is stuck in there.

Peace
Bruce in Philyy

Jd1368

Fix a flat cans typically render a tire useless and unable to repair after the fact. I'd stay away.

motopix

I think this is something people often miss when buying a plug kit.
You can get a really cheap set of pliers at Walmart or HarborFreight and throw it in with your plug kit.

I have some pliers, a plug kit, a portable cig. lighter compressor and an led light in my flat tire kit. I bought the Slime brand compressor/slime kit from Walmart. I don't plan to use the slime but just in case...

OKB

some punctures and cuts are not fixable with plugs and goo, only a spare tire is dependable

LP Beck

Thanks for the ideas guys. I do plan on carrying a quality plug kit, however, I will add a pair of needle nose pliers, thanks for the idea Philly!

Ben Z

Of course we all know the goo won't fix a real blowout, but I had an experience that drove home just how useless the system is. Got about a mile from my house when I could tell I had a flat.

Pulled to the side of the road, it was the right rear. Looked it over and couldn't see any major tear or hole, and I was only 5 miles from my indie so if I just pumped it up with the compressor it should hold long enough for me to get it. After almost a half hour it was obvious it wasn't inflating.

So I called AAA and had it flatbedded to the indie. Turns out there was no puncture at all (glad I didn't use the goo!), just a blown valve stem. But the tire had jumped the bead and the puny little compressor didn't have enough power to pop it back. (Maybe if I'd had a jack and took the weight of the car off it, Idk).

I never take long trips in either of our cars, only partly because of the lack of a spare (other car is a Merc diesel and the spare tire well has been usurped for the clean-diesel additive tank). I've had breakdowns of various sorts ruin trips, so now I just rent a car if I'm going more than 100 miles away. Anything goes wrong the rental company will bring a replacement on a flatbed and haul the broken one away.

Of course that doesn't help if you really WANT to take the Porsche on a trip.

Fahrer

I keep a plug kit in every one of my cars. Even if the car has a spare. I do not take the 911 on long trips and I always have the display set to show the status of the TPMS. I still refer a pump and can of goo over runflats.

larrytrk

I've gone back and forth across the US twice, from Boston to LA and never had a problem. I do have a tire plug kit I've never used.
Enjoy and try not to worry.
I did pick up a nail, in my Saab, in NC and added air to go to Discount Tire for a plug.

ElectricChair

I'm carrying this in the frunk:

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tomc_mets

+1 thanks. They're going into the glove compartment in about two minutes!
T

LexVan

Beck, a 4,000ish road trip. Make sure a place like Tire Rack has your tires in stock. Many of the 911 sizes are hard to find now. Hope 4 the best, plan 4 the worst. Have a great trip.