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ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

Flat Answers:
Run-flat Tires vs. Repair Kit vs. Spare

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If you are the observant type, then you are aware of the type of tire aid kit you have stashed away in your trunk or sitting in some other alcove within your SUV, truck, or minivan. It wasn’t too long ago that a full-size spare served as the fifth tire in almost all vehicles, but today you may find a “donut” spare, a repair kit or no spare at all thanks to run-flat tires. We’ll take a look at each flat tire aid option and what this could mean for you during an emergency.

The Traditional Spare Tire

For decades, manufacturers provided consumers with a full-size spare tire wrapped within a wheel. Such spares matched the other four tires and were usually included in tire rotation patterns, ensuring even wear amongst all five.

First-time drivers learned how to change spares, finding a lug wrench and a scissor jack next to the spare. Practicing how to change a tire was a teen rite of passage, at least for those who anxiously awaited their driver’s license and perhaps purchased their first car.

The benefit of a full-size spare is that you can drive it at a normal speed and keep the spare on the wheel for as long as you want. Just remember to fix the flat before making it your new spare! On the other hand, changing a tire isn’t easy — they’re heavy and if you have to change it on the side of the road, you might put yourself and others in danger.

Are Spare Tires Smaller?

It was sometime in the late 1980s or early 1990s, when Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) began substituting full size spares for smaller tires, typically known as compact or “donut” spares. Although smaller than conventional tires, compact spares are a sufficient, but a temporary replacement for your other tires.

The earliest compact spares were stored deflated, with a can of compressed carbon dioxide included for quick inflation. Later, manufacturers developed already inflated compact spares requiring no inflation prior to mounting. Compact spares are designed for short drives and operated at speeds below 50 mph.

Manufacturers like them because they fit in small or tight spaces, freeing up room for other storage. They also cost less. From the consumer’s perspective, they’re easier to lift and install than conventional spare tires.

There are several disadvantages too, including compact spares simply do not have the same level of grip as conventional tires. This can affect braking and handling, making it more difficult to stop and control the vehicle. An installed compact spare might also affect cars equipped with a rear differential, putting stress on this component. Clearly, only use a compact spare tire briefly before fixing your flat and mounting it back on the wheel.

A stashed air compressor can replenish lost air quickly.

Your No Spare Option: A Tire Repair Kit

In place of spare tires, some manufacturers aren’t using them at all. Instead, you’ll find a tire repair kit comprised of a flat fixer sealant and a compressor.

Such kits are useful, but only if your tire absorbs the nail. If the tire is cut, split or blows out, then you’ll have to call for help.

A Better Way: Run-Flat Tires

Yet another option for car owners are run-flat tires. They’re more commonly found on new cars, especially luxury models. The following FAQs may help you decide if they’re right for you.

Q. Are Run-Flat Tires Good?

A. Yes. Who needs a spare tire when your tires cannot go flat? So-called run-flat tires are designed just as the name implies: if you run over a nail or glass, your tires aren’t likely to go flat. Instead, self-sealing properties within the tread close up around the object.

Q. Are Run-flat Tires Repairable?

A. Not always. Run-flat tires can’t handle every tire issue. Indeed, if you have a blowout, the tire is no good — the same can be said for any tire, however. Without a spare, you’ll have to call for help.

Q. Are Run-flat Tires Safer?

A. Run-flat tires may be the safest choice for car owners. Instead of finding yourself stuck by the side of the road, you can keep driving — up to 100 miles. In this case, you don’t have to worry about getting involved in an accident if you pull off to the side of the road. There are some drawbacks — run-flat tires wear out faster and are more expensive to replace.

Roadside assistance is one way to ensure you’re never stranded.

Are Spare Tires Required by Law?

Spare tires are not required by law and that’s one reason why manufacturers are eliminating them or providing other options.

Concerning your personal options, the best-laid plans for the prepared car owner will sometimes fail. A backup plan is necessary and may involve roadside assistance.

If you own a new car, the plan may be included with your warranty. For everyone else, joining a roadside assistance club may supply the assurance you need to avoid becoming stranded for hours on the side of a dangerous road.

Sources

Popular Mechanics: How Long Can You Really Use Your Spare Tire? — http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a3254/how-long-can-you-really-use-your-spare-tire-7710515/

National Motorist Association Blog: What Ever Happened To The Full-Size Spare Tire? — https://www.motorists.org/blog/full-size-spare-tire-abandonment/

TireRack.com: Tire Tech — Flat Tire Repairs – After Driving on Flat Run-Flat Tires — https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=226

CarTalk: Today: Does Fix-A-Flat Really Work? — https://www.cartalk.com/blogs/dear-car-talk/today-does-fix-flat-really-work

ABC News: ‘GMA’ Investigates: New Cars Being Sold Without Spare Tires — http://abcnews.go.com/US/gma-investigates-cars-sold-spare-tires/story?id=36435661

Edmunds.com: The Pros and Cons of Run-Flat Tires — https://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips/run-flat-tires-a-primer.html

Related Reading

The Skinny on Summer Tires

Replacement Tires: Where to Buy Them

Michelin, GM Collaborate on Airless Tires

How to Buy New Tires for Your Car

Photo attribution: First photo: Auto Trends Magazine. Second and third photos: Pixabay.com.

17 Essentials for Your Roadside Emergency Kit

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Drivers taking to the road this season will likely have had their oil changed, tires rotated, and their engine checked before heading out on a long trip. Yet, breakdowns can happen and without a roadside emergency kit on hand, you may find yourself stranded. Already assembled kits are available from auto parts stores, but you can put together your own and include several essentials not found in most kits.

Chrysler 300

1. Booster Cables

A dead battery is one of the chief reasons that a car will break down. And batteries will often fail without warning. Having your battery tested before you take a long trip is a good idea. Do this with a testing device that can be plugged into your 12-volt outlet. When a breakdown does happen, having a set of cables that are at least 10 feet long and wrapped in 8-gauge rubber can get you going again with a boost from a passing motorist.

2. Air Compressor

Always check your spare tire before leaving on a trip, ensuring that it is adequately inflated and in good enough condition to get you back on the road. A portable air compressor is invaluable, enabling you to quickly refill a tire. Canned tire sealant is the choice for some motorists, but be mindful that you may invalidate the tire’s warranty. Also, sealant does not work with high-performance tires.

3. Cell Phone Charger

Your only way to call for help may be on your cell phone. Bring along a cell phone charger to ensure that you always have enough power available to call for help. Consider investing in a hand-cranked charger as a backup should your car’s battery die.

4. Flashlight and Spare Batteries

Inspect the flashlight in your glove box before leaving on a trip, replacing older batteries and by bringing with you an extra set. Consider investing in a new flashlight with LED lighting and a strobe light to attract attention. Look for a light with a magnet for affixing same to the roof of your car or under the hood.

Porsche Flashlight

5. Shop Cloth

Several rags or shop cloth can come in handy when working on your car.

6. Work Gloves

A pair of mechanic’s gloves can protect your hands when working on your car. Some people prefer cotton gloves, so find the pair that you like best and try these on before placing them in your roadside emergency kit.

See Also — Don’t Become a Roadside Emergency Statistic

7. Flathead and Phillips Screwdrivers

A flathead screwdriver can be useful for prying and a Phillips screwdriver for tightening connections such as loose hose clamps. Carry both because you may need each one to handle different repairs.

8. Pliers, Grips and a Wrench

2014 BMW 535dWhen your car breaks down, you may wait for your roadside assistance to show up to handle repairs or to tow your car to a garage. Or, you can choose to tackle those repairs with a set of pliers, a grip and a wrench.

9. Duct Tape

Nearly anything can be fixed with duct tape. Or at least it may seem that way. What cannot be permanently fixed when on the road may be enough to patch a cracked hose, for connecting a cracked bumper or to hold that dangling side mirror in place that got sideswiped when you stopped for lunch.

10. Pocketknife

Unless you can rip the duct tape by hand, you’ll need something to cut it with. A pocketknife can come in handy and is useful for cutting a hose, fashioning a splint, preparing food and for providing self-defense in a crisis.

11. Automotive Fluids

Your roadside emergency kit can include a few of the fluids your car needs including a can of motor oil, a bottle of radiator coolant and washer fluid.

12. Bungee Cords

While duct tape can hold many things together, a bungee cord may do the trick elsewhere. With a bungee cord, you may be able to temporarily hold a car battery in place, secure a trunk lid shut, or keep a separated bumper from crashing to the ground.

13. Special Clothing

You may have plenty of clothes with you as you leave for your vacation. No roadside emergency kit is complete without a hooded poncho, especially useful when working underneath the hood in inclement weather.

14. Blankets

If your trip takes you through the mountains, star-lit nights can get chilly. A blanket can keep you warm while you are waiting for help to arrive. Include a thermal blanket that radiates body heat.

emergency water

15. Water

Quench your thirst by bringing enough water with you on your trip. You won’t have to worry about finding suitable drinking water if you are stranded miles from help.

16. Food

Nonperishable foods such as dried fruit and energy bars can tide you over until help arrives.

17. First Aid

If your breakdown involves an accident with injuries, you may need to intervene before the first responders arrive. Every roadside assistance kit should include a first aid kit stocked with gauze pads, bandages, a wound cleaning agent, adhesive tape, instant cold compress, aspirin, a splint and latex gloves.

Get Emergency Prepared

Lastly, consider joining a roadside assistance club as they’re invaluable if you have a breakdown and need to be towed to safety or have some other emergency. If you are a new car owner, roadside assistance may be packaged with your warranty. In any case, place the contact information on your cell phone and keep your membership card handy.

Photo Credits

“mPower Porsche Design Flashlight” by Nan Palmero is licensed under CC BY 2.0

“Emergency Preparedness Kit” by City of Seattle is licensed under CC BY 2.0

See Also — Vehicle Breakdown Tips and Tricks

Vehicle Breakdown Tips and Tricks

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From Thanksgiving through Christmas and on through the new year, motorists will be taking to the road to visit family and friends in great numbers. Unlike the summer’s heat, your car will encounter some of the coldest conditions of the year, what can put strain on even the best cared for car.

We’ve already looked at how you can care for your car this winter. Now we’ll take a look at what to do when faced with a predicament, such as a flat tire, a broken timing chain, a leaking coolant system or other breakdown problem.

flat tire

Your roadside assistance club can change your flat tire.

1. Get off the road.

If you experience any problem requiring you to stop immediately, such as a blown tire or a flashing check engine light, endeavor to pull off the road. If the road has a shoulder, then move your car as far to the right as possible. Otherwise, move your car close to the curb and turn on your emergency flashers.

2. Determine the problem.

What exactly happened? Once your car is off the road, put it in park and keep it running, unless you see smoke coming out from underneath the hood. How you respond next will determine the best course of action for fixing the problem. Before you get involved in making a repair or calling for assistance, do the next step.

3. Warn other motorists.

You may think that other motorists see you when you’re pulled off on the side of the road, but don’t be too sure of it. Your emergency flashers are just one way to alert other drivers of your breakdown. You should also raise your hood, a clear signal that your car has problems. If you have road flares or reflective triangles, set these in place along the side of the road where your car is broken down. Triangles should be placed 10 feet, 100 feet and 200 feet down the road with each triangle placed further out in the road to warn drivers.

vehicle breakdown road flares

Road flares or reflective triangles are ideal
for a vehicle breakdown.

4. Get help.

Regardless of the weather, you and your passengers are safest if you leave the car and move as far away from it as possible. Then, call for assistance, especially if you are not able to handle the problem yourself. If you belong to a roadside assistance club, contact them and explain to them the problem and give them your location, a description of your vehicle, your license plate number, and other required information. If you don’t belong to a club, you will need to call for breakdown service from a towing company. For cars that have been in an accident, the police should be notified.

5. Stay with your vehicle.

You may need to get your passengers to a warm and safe place. Once you do that, then return to your vehicle immediately. An abandoned car might be towed and impounded, causing you extra money. Or, it could present a hazard to other motorists. Regardless, staying with your breakdown will ensure that you receive the help you need and as soon as possible.

When Help Arrives

You should be familiar with what your roadside assistance plan covers and does not cover. Some companies provide fuel, will jump a battery, and change tires. Others add in towing service, particularly if there is no other way to fix your car.

Your car may be towed to a service center or to a garage. In some cases you can have it towed further, such as to your preferred garage, but only if you pay extra for it or have a premium plan.

After the Breakdown: Back on the Road

Any kind of vehicle breakdown is a hassle and can pose a danger. The quicker you tend to the problem, the sooner you’ll be back on the road or your car and your family towed to a safe place. Finally, before you take to the road, ensure that your roadside assistance plan is up to date, your spare tire is ready for action, and your emergency kit is in place and replenished.

What Your Breakdown Cover Policy Offers

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At some point you may need roadside assistance if your car suffers a mechanical failure, leaving you stranded. Most new cars come with breakdown coverage for the first few years of ownership, but once that warranty is up you will need to shop for a breakdown cover policy that is typically available from an auto club, an auto insurer or some other service provider. Let’s take a look at some features your policy should cover.

1. Round the clock coverage — What good is roadside assistance unless your provider can send help to your location at any hour of the day including on weekends and on major holidays? Typically, your service will provide assistance 24/7/365 without restrictions. Your breakdown cover policy should offer such protection standard and send help to you within the hour of receiving notification from you. Inquire about the company’s average response time when shopping for a policy.

tow warning sign2. Access via phone and message service — These days, accessing your roadside assistance provider by toll-free number may not be enough. With smart phones used so extensively, your breakdown provider should offer a message service too. When shopping for coverage you will want to ask, “Is there an app for that?” Make sure that your phone is always fully charged when taking to the road.

3. On the spot repairs — You know that a roadside assistance plan truly shines when its service goes beyond the mere towing of your vehicle to a repair shop. Some repairs can and should be made right where your car breaks down. For instance, if your tire goes flat, you should be able to have it changed by the repair service operator. If a battery fails, your service may include the installation of a new battery if your old battery cannot be revived. That special service includes replacement, with a separate charge for buying a new battery. In addition, roadside assistance might include a fuel delivery service, lockout assistance and an extrication service if your car gets stuck in the mud or in a ditch.

4. Local and long distance recovery — Most roadside assistance plans are tiered, meaning you can choose between basic or standard and plus plans. If your car must be towed to a service garage, your plan will typically include coverage within a certain range, such as a 25-mile circumference of your home. For longer tows, you’ll pay a per mile charge for miles that exceed the plan’s limits. If you are far away from home, you can still be towed to a local, but unfamiliar garage. Or, you can opt for a policy upgrade that will provide free towing for up to 100 miles, enabling you to get back home again and have your car serviced by a trusted mechanic.

Policy Considerations

Most breakdown cover policies offer basic and expanded services. Choose the level of coverage that reflects your driving habits. For instance, you’ll want to opt for long distance recovery if your travels include regular trips that are more than two hours from your home. Insurance policies are typically written for 6- or 12-month terms; your auto club or other service provider will usually offer a one-year roadside assistance plan.