yorkmed

I recently hit an object in the road and cut the tire sidewall. This happened in a remote area with no cell service. I also bent the wheel.

Proceeded to repair the flat with the supplied slime. It took several stops to refill the tire with air, but was able to limp home. I was lucky.

If the cut were any bigger, I'm afraid that I would have been stuck.

I am now also carrying a few rubber repair "ropes" to try to repair a larger cut. Thought it might work with the slime to stop the leak.

Does anyone have any tips for repairing a tire in this situation?

Thanks.

PS: The tire and wheel insurance that I bought with the car has paid for itself.

991Dreamer

My sales guy told me not to use the slime to fix a flat as it can damage the rim (not an issue here for yorkmed). Anyone had any problems with the slime and damage?

MarcusG

Sorry to hear.

And thanks for reporting about using the slime.

Every time I open the frunk I look at that kit and ask myself... when?

If the damage is on the sidewall most likely they won't attempt a repair. At least most of the tire shops around here won't. Too much liability. Some won't even repair a tire any longer even if the puncture is in the middle of the tread. They just want to sell a new one.

Hope they can repair the wheel. They can do wonders these days.

mtbscott

I suggest that everyone should carry a plug kit and know how to use it. It will temporarily fix anything short of a catastrophic blowout or sidewall tear. The slime won't damage the rim, but it will make a huge mess that the tire shop is going to be loathe to have to clean up.
A plug kit and the onboard pump should get you mobile to more permanent help 90% of the time if you're somewhere where waiting is a hassle.

limey940

I recently had a very slow leak, so small that at first the dealer couldn't find it when my car was in for a service. It was a new tyre and was loosing about 5 or 6 psi a week. I used the fix a flat product and have not had any issues. Back in my motorcycle racing days we used to use the product not to fix a flat, but to balance a wheel with a new tyre if we were in a rush. It took a lap or two for the stuff to circulate but after that the wheel was balanced.

rnl

Used it in the tires of my mountain bike to prevent a flat.

If my car were to have a flat, I'd call for a flat bed truck. No screwing around with the rims, tires or the extended warranty i purchased for both.

Noah Fect

There's always a finite risk of damage when towing one of these cars, so I would treat that as a last resort regardless of the warranty status.

I wish they still had spare tires, but nobody asked me...

carcommander

A plug kit is a great idea. Even if you have a spare it's easier than changing a tire. I have one in every car and on my motorcycle.