Flat tire repair for 450's

[smartie yank]

Do they even make run flat tires in a size for smarts? A big issue now is that there are not many tires available that will fit a smart. Another problem is the sidewalls are so small and the smart so light that unless you are doing cornering or stop and go driving, it is very difficult to detect a flat tire. Several experienced drivers have ruined tires while driving down the highway not realizing they have a flat until the tire shreds itself.

[SmartBob]

Well, the Fortwo has a 15' rim which is pretty standard with 55 or 60 profile (not small). All models have a tire pressure control systerm. Also as with a defensive driving technique one should always look at your tires before you get in your car. I've never had a blow-out and had an on-the-road flat maybe once in my life.

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by SmartBob

All models have a tire pressure control systerm.

With some kind of tire pressure monitoring system, the runflats are a very viable option. Does anyone know what the Smart tire pressure control system consists of?

[SmartBob]

Good question. I was wondering that myself. I would only assume that it must alarm the driver if the pressure gets low.

[Plum-crazy]

Sorry.
But in Europe all 450's come with compressor kit.
Is this an option here? Or maybe the imported cars came without it?

[idahosmart]

Originally Posted by Plum-crazy

Sorry.
But in Europe all 450's come with compressor kit.
Is this an option here? Or maybe the imported cars came without it?

Most of the 450's that were imported to the US were stripped of some options and accessories. But there are aftermarket air compressors and tire repair kits available that fit perfectly in the space over the battery. The one I got from Autozone was even branded as being a "smart" tire repair kit.

Tom

[sisyphus]

Originally Posted by lhoboy

With some kind of tire pressure monitoring system, the runflats are a very viable option. Does anyone know what the Smart tire pressure control system consists of?

It's basically a wheel speed sensor. It detects the difference in wheel speed side-to-side over a minimum distance. A tire going flat will have a slightly different diameter and therefore rotate at a slightly different speed than a fully inflated tire. The smart system will detect a 20% loss in tire pressure.

[Karl Roth]

run flats ride very harshly, run over a dime and you can tell the mint mark... well lets just call them bad most of the people i know with them now can not wait to get rid of them. add a really short weelbase, can o fix a flat will be my out tell the tech what you put in in advance/ leave the can where they cant miss it.
karl

[mr_Cash]

late edit:
whoops, i just noticed, this thread is for the 450. in the below, im thinking ahead, for use on the 451.

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to save space, the 12v a/c sounds good. i picked up one for about $7 or so a while ago. amazing, i used it tonight to top off the tire pressure, on a buick lesabre, to 34, from 25 or so, and worked fine.

just plug into the cigarette plug, turn on the engine to keep the battery charged, and attach it to value stem, & watch the built in gauge to the right pressure.

guess i could put that in the smart. and a tire plugger repair little kit.

what about a small spare, they put in cars, to save space, rather than the full size spare? is one available, that would fit on either the front or rear tire spot?

small enough, to store in the trunk, and still leave a little trunk room?

cost? (in usa).

15" is needed? three bolt stud holes? (usually, limited to 50 miles.)

better than a can of the fixit spray?

anyone used fixit spray can, on a serious flat? work ok? used the spray type ten years or so ago, seemed it may have inflated, but, dont think i was comfortable about it. something about, its explosive, so, have to disassemble tire and wheel, clean gunk out, or at least the fumes, before re inflating after fixing the problem.

[ASmartMan]

Mr C

I too bought the 12V a/c from harbor freight as well as the patch kit, but I'm still on the fence.

I have the OEM can of fix a flat (and depending on the type of flat works quite well), and would use that under the correct conditions.

Road side tire repair, OK in spring/summer/fall, for me winter time= fix a flat.

where I have complete sets of summer and winter tires and rims, this spring I'll go the 3rd route, outside back mounted spare tire like here http://www.smartieparts.com/shop/bmz...ge.602x550.jpg
or something like it (there are a few out there), where the a/c goes a scissor jack will go, it's too cold now to be thinking about it Hee Hee Hee

AFM