A possible solution to getting a flat tire on your smart

[Dave Van]

Mine rides in the rear storage hatch as of today....nice folks to deal with. AND....very eco friendly...no packaging for mailing! THANKS!

[Calab]

Originally Posted by theguywiththelongestname

i just put a Nealey Tire Repair kit into the rear hatch cargo area...since the smartmobile has an onboard air compressor, i figured that the Nealey Kit would suffice except in the most catostrophic of failures...in that case, I'm going to need a tow in order to check out the rims and suspension...

Dumb question, but how do you FIND the leak?

I admit that any tire issues that I've had were due to slow leaks, but is it easy to find a puncture in a tire while mounted on a car?

[anthony94114]

Be glad the smart doesn't have run-flats. I had them on my MINI a few years ago. WHAT a hassle. Horrible. Lousy ride, VERY expensive to replace (which is what the warranty demands you do if you have a puncture) and only 'sort-of' patchable. They were hell. Though I really like the idea of a spare, having run-flats would be of no delight to me.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Calab

Dumb question, but how do you FIND the leak?

I admit that any tire issues that I've had were due to slow leaks, but is it easy to find a puncture in a tire while mounted on a car?

use a spray bottle with soapy water and spray on till you see bubbles just plain window cleaner works in a pinch. Just remember not to pull out any hardware you find until you are ready to make the repair. The fronts are easer as you can turn the wheel to expose more tire at once the rears take a little more patience.
karl

[mmmeat]

Originally Posted by anthony94114

Be glad the smart doesn't have run-flats. I had them on my MINI a few years ago. WHAT a hassle. Horrible. Lousy ride, VERY expensive to replace (which is what the warranty demands you do if you have a puncture) and only 'sort-of' patchable. They were hell. Though I really like the idea of a spare, having run-flats would be of no delight to me.

I had runflats for a time on the Hummer H1. I didn't have any issues with them at all. I never changed them myself, though; I'm sure as heck not changing a tire that weighs more than I do!

Your pal,
Meat.

[RussBarnes]

I also used a bag and one of my front tire & wheel assemblies. I had "The Bag Lady" make this custom one and she now has the pattern for them.

In the first photo is the spare, the jack ($15 from WalMart - GM Goodwrench), 1/2" breaker and socket from AutoZone and a low cost emergency kit that we gave out at our annual dinner this year.



Then I tucked it all in the bag - it fit great - THANKS Robyn.



I zipped it and it carried to the car very well.



I loaded it behind my seat and the jack box dropped down, but a weeks worth of groceries for two still fit. If I wanted max space I could use a plastic box for the jack & wrench and bungee cord it to the top of the tire.



My only concern for some of you is where you have your seat. I am 5' 8" and it fits perfect. But if I have the hub of the wheel forward I have a major, hard lumbar support. So I turn it around so the emergency bag is forward and it feels fine. But if I was 6' 4" it might not work.

Those that want something like this, search for The Bag Lady from NJ and she now has the pattern. It worked great and she was great to work with.

[roscoe]

anyone do an external mounted spare tire rack like the canadian site was offering in past?