Anyone had a flat yet? Any hear about an improvement to the car's suspension ???????? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

malpert · 06-20-2009, 04:58 AM

Hi.. we have a Smart Passion. We live in Tarrytown.. Question is about FLAT TIRES. I heard if you use the pump with the tire fill up stuff it ruins the pump. is that true? also do you think it pays to buy spare tires? or keep a can of the fill up stuff and not use the one that comes buried under the passenger seat? marv alpert@mail.com

Is there a way to get a softer? ride? I thought someone had installed better springs?

**jimvw57** · 06-20-2009, 05:44 AM

The springs I have seen are for more performance and will lower the ride height a bit, so I doubt they will give you a softer ride. I have heard that changing to a different tire, matching the front and rear rim size and a wider tire will improve the ride but I don't recall the size they used. The easiest way to soften the ride is to check the tire pressure. Adding extra air will increase your mileage but makes the car ride like a rock. I thought mine rode hard and found out someone put 42 psi in all 4 tires. Great mileage but a rough ride.

I drive a LOT of miles and can not recall the last flat tire I have gotten. I keep an eye on my tires and fill them when they get low, replace them when they get worn and try to drive around any obstacles in the road. In the last 8 years, the only flat tire I have had was a long time ago, my Expedition picked up a nail from a construction site. I have decided that adding a spare uses up space for something that is less of a likelyhood now than in years past. tire technology has come a long way. If I was driving cross country under different circumstances, maybe I would toss in a spare.

kdfcogwheel · 06-20-2009, 06:54 AM

I could tell you a thing or two about flats as I had a blowout after encountering a pothole far from home on a road trip. IMHO when traveling locally, a spare is not necessary. The fix-a-flat stuff under the passenger's feet is messy, corrosive and merely intended to get you off the road hopefully to a tire dealer. I would suggest using a hole plug kit like one available from tirerepairkit.com for $11.95. Testimonials praise it and how long it lasts. Now hitting potholes or otherwise damaging the sidewall or wheel, call for a tow. My Brabus uses odd size tires. So, I keep a couple spare tires (no wheels) at home just in case. I can patch up and then get a tire shop to swap out later.

Old smart · 06-20-2009, 07:05 AM

Anyone had a flat yet?... (No, not me.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by malpert

... I heard if you use the pump with the tire fill up stuff it ruins the pump. is that true?
No, the pump is re-useble.
... also do you think it pays to buy spare tires?
Depends.***
... or keep a can of the fill up stuff and not use the one that comes buried under the passenger seat?
Somewhere I think I have seen a warning to not use the "Fix-a-Flat" type stuff; can't find it right now. ...

*** Most people will find that both a spare tire and the repair kit will never be used, but many will appreciate the security of an onboard spare even though it takes a good bit of the available room. Personally, I would like to eventually have a mounted front as a garage spare. Only once in my life have I had to change a tire on the roadside, though I have discovered softies and a flat in the driveway. Most of our smart use is around town where the spare can be brought from home. Long distance might be another matter.

smart considers the use of the repair kit a cause to replace the tire vs. repairing it, and they may refuse to repair it. If you find someone that will repair the tire, expect to pay dearly to have the tire goo cleaned out first. After goo use, the TPMS transmitter ($$) and valve stem may be affected. A better first alternative for a temporary repair is an external tire plugging kit. If the external plug is successful (and using the repair kit compressor), a proper permanent repair can be made with an internal mushroom plug. The tire carcass will be clean and the TPMS and valve stem should be unaffected.

Using the goo kit does not involve jacking or wheel removal, but using an external plug may, unless you like rolling around on the ground - plugging a rear could be a little more problematic. I carry a plugging kit, along with a small aluminum jack and tire removal tools.

mkradin · 06-20-2009, 09:09 AM

I have used the rubber plug kit purchased for my Smart car on my daughters Honda Fit and it works well and it's easy to use.

mvaldes · 06-20-2009, 10:01 AM

Think about where you drive and the availability of tires that will fit the Smart in your area. When I got mine, they were very hard to find, so I got a spare so I wouldn't get stranded out in the boonies when we go to our weekend place. If you don't drive to out-of-the-way locations and can readily get a new tire, a rental or have another vehicle to use while waiting for a new tire to arrive, you don't need a spare. I still have the Nealy tire repair kit (Nealey Tire Repair Kit) for around town (in case no one is home to bring the spare) and the spare for road trips. Works for me, at least I think it will if I get a flat.

sunnyokanagan · 06-20-2009, 11:12 AM

The oem can of repair foam will render the tire unrepairable. That is, it can physically be repaired but the tire compound has been chemically compromised by the product. Like others here, I have a spare and carry it on long trips.

I have also used Ride-On tire protectant for several years.

smartHHO · 06-20-2009, 11:48 AM

I have had 4 flats in my 20+ years of driving. Two were when I pulled up to work and heard a hissing. I had picked up a nail and it went flat as I backed into the parking spot. Another was my tires were very worn as a kid, pealed out and the tire wore thru thus deflating. 4th and only time I got a flat on the road. Jack was too small for a dealer jack and had to have some guy lift the back of the truck to get the darn spare on. I bought a spare due to I have a truck to haul stuff. My little car is not going to be jam packed with stuff and I don't want to have to say, oh, well my wife which is working and can't get off for another 4 hours can bring me the spare. I wrather have it with me. For some, it is not needed if you don't want to take up space. Tire plug kit is a good idea and does not mess up the sensor and gunk up the inside as posted earlier.

dbwill · 06-20-2009, 01:51 PM

I had a flat the other day. Came out after my workout and had a RR flat. Seems a 3.5 inch went in the belt and the tip penetrated the sidewall next to the rim. Upshot tire ruined. Used the pump to get enough air to get to a tire shop a couple of blocks away.

Bottom line...at a national franchise NTB the size for the smart was not available in their system.. checked a couple of other tire shops and they could not get the size through their suppliers.

Had the car trucked to the dealer and they put on a replacement.

smart USA towing does not cover tire failure. My insurance does.

Lesson learned. Buy a front and a rear from someone like tire rack and keep them at home until you need to replace tires or have another flat. Don't take a long trip without being willing to spend time waiting for a tire to be shipped.

Old smart · 06-20-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbwill

... Lesson learned. Buy a front and a rear from someone like tire rack and keep them at home until you need to replace tires or have another flat. Don't take a long trip without being willing to spend time waiting for a tire to be shipped.

If one were some distance from home where the two spares are stored, it is likely that The Tire Rack can drop-ship a replacement to the shop sooner than the home spares can be broken out and shipped. Take The Tire Rack's phone number with you.