Driving home this evening on the A1(M) between the M25 and Welham Green, I noticed a strange sound developing from the front. After less than 100yds the steering started vibrating, so I pulled over on the hard shoulder as something was obviously wrong. Walked round the car and my Front right tyre was as flat as a pancake and very hot due to running flat at 70mph.

So, I positioned the car so that the front left wheel was on the verge giving me plenty of space between me and the pasing cars and lorries, I then set about changing the front right wheel, in darkness with lorries and cars passing within a few feet of my backside whilst keeping an eye on approaching traffic. Changed the wheel in about 15 mins, it takes ages to locate not only the wheel hub but then locate the first wheel bolt hole in the dark.

I guess the point of this post is to say that as my punctured tyre is completely beyond salvation, no can of tyre gunk would get you going again in this circumstance, so I am glad I had a spare wheel on board. This is the first puncture I have had in 10 years of driving more than 20K miles per year, and boy was I glad that I had a maintaned spare wheel on board.

All I need now is a brand new 235/40 18 tyre and that aint going to be cheap as no dought I'll have to get a pair.

+1

..also, I was given one of these for christmas last year.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-elec-LED-Compact-Headtorch-HS5606/dp/B001CCIVHO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1260388353&sr=8-1

Mostly for camping trips, but it now lives in the car permanently - it's an absolute god-send if you have to change a wheel in the dark, which I've had to do twice since getting it!!

I've had to change a wheel on the M5 hard shoulder, and it is a bit hairy. Also, it was a space saver- it's not good being forced down to 50 or less- you tend to annoy the trucks.

I've had to change a wheel on the M5 hard shoulder, and it is a bit hairy. Also, it was a space saver- it's not good being forced down to 50 or less- you tend to annoy the trucks.

This guy would aprove of this, however:

I have finally had a chance to check over the tyre that went flat, and it went flat because of a huge split that has formed in the outer tyre tread. it looks like something has ripped through the tread and punctured the carcase. The split is about 2 inches long, and I am guessing the most likely cause was a piece of glass of simillar on the carriageway. After discovering this I checked the rear tyre on the same side, and at least it looks ok.

You're very brave doing it on that stretch of road! I'd have coaxed it to the Welham or A414 junction, and done on the slip myself.

I have finally had a chance to check over the tyre that went flat, and it went flat because of a huge split that has formed in the outer tyre tread. it looks like something has ripped through the tread and punctured the carcase. The split is about 2 inches long, and I am guessing the most likely cause was a piece of glass of simillar on the carriageway. After discovering this I checked the rear tyre on the same side, and at least it looks ok.

I had this happen, the only time I have had a puncture dead centre in the middle of the tread, it caused by a piece of metal about three inches long, I only knew this because after shredding the tyre it embedded itself in the mudflap.

Also twice, while driving company vehicles, I have had a puncture and found myself with a brand new shiny spare wheel but no jack...

At least I had the jack,

My car looks quiet strange now, it has 3x 18" RS6 replica Alloys on it and 1x 16" Standard issue Octy Elegance wheel with brand new tyre currently fitted. I'll take it easy for the next couple of days going to work, as there is a slight difference in rolling radius of the 2 front wheels. That and the different profile and width will make front end handling very different to what I am used to.

One of the company cars had been in a few accidents and if you stopped quick one of the headlights would fall out and end up dangling by the wiring loom. Oh and if you shut the passenger door even slightly hard the wing mirror fell off. It had not been treated well or really looked after at all. The spare wheel was the only undamaged thing on the car.

This guy would aprove of this, however:

Dave Benson Philips, why on earth? Im sure the only thing I can remember him from was playdays when I was a wee lad in the late 80's

Edited 10 December, 200916 yr by dan_the_v8man

Lost me too! :wonder:

All sorted now.

I have replaced all 4 tyres with the correct tyre size for the octy. So out go all the 235/40 18s, to be replaced with 225/40 18s. As I needed to get 4, I have only had budget tyres fitted. Cost me £250 fitted and balanced for 4 tyres.

Of the car has the tyre pressure monitoring thingy can we legally get run flat tyres? If so why wouldn't the car come with run flats like a lot of modern cars?

Run flats use a different wheel design internally to the standard alloys, so run flats will not fit onto the existing rims. Runflats also have stiffer sidewalls, so in low profile form would be like driving on solid tyres. If I had a choice between runflat or normal the normal tyres would win everytime.

Run flats are evil. Expensive and very noisy.