When I changed to my Mk3 I contemplated selling my old Neptune 18" spare from my Mk2.

 

I decided to keep it for the new one, bought the jack etc. and put it in the boot last weekend.

 

Long story short, on the M5 yesterday afternoon the TPMS warned me of an o/s/r deflation so I slowed down and parked up on the hard shoulder and as I did so the tyre blew.  Sure enough a flat tyre with the sort of damage that the standard 'foam and pump' wouldn't fix.

 

Coincidentally, there was a Royal Mail lorry with a o/s/f puncture also on the hard shoulder so I used him as 'cover' whilst waiting for the AA.  Must have been something on the road surface.

 

Lessons learned:

1) Get a spare wheel even if it's a space saver;

2) Set up the TPMS properly and take notice of it when it alerts; and

3) Quality roadside assistance is worthwhile - the AA man was a hero, there's no way I would have risked changing a tyre where he did!

 

New tyre needed which is a pain as there was 6mm of tread on the Potenza but the process of changing to Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics has started.

?

Why were you waiting on the AA, did you not put in the Tyre & Spare incase 'you' had to change it,

or did you forget the Wheel Brace?

 

He should have not risked changing the tyre where he did if you would not have with the protection of a HGV behind you, even with a van and a flashing beacon, 

you should have been moved to a place of safety.

I had all the kit, but was I prepared to take the personal risk to change it in that location? No. 

 

When I phoned the AA I advised them of the location and hazard and suggested it may need to be moved it to a place of safety.  They obviously decided not to so it was their call.

I had all the kit, but was I prepared to take the personal risk to change it in that location? No. 

 

When I phoned the AA I advised them of the location and hazard and suggested it may need to be moved it to a place of safety.  They obviously decided not to so it was their call.

 

I've been in that situation as a passenger of a car - no way in h*ll was I changing, or allowing anyone else to change, an offisde tyre on the motorway at night.  RAC job - they've got a big orange van with lots of flashing lights to use as cover.

 

I suppose for some people the foam is fine but it gives me the willies thinking about being up in the highlands etc at night on a weekend with a blowout and no spare.  I don't like the space savers but they're a good bit better than goo - stuff shouldn't be allowed in my opinion.

Absolutely with you on this. I must confess whilst I have the nouse to change my own wheel if I absolutely had to, I have roadside assistance and would generally always take advantage of it under such circumstances.

I got a rapid deflation early one morning during peak travel on the M23 near Gatwick travelling up from the south coast to Oxfordshire for work.

The flat was rear drivers side, leaving me very exposed to slow lane traffic even well pulled over onto the hard shoulder. The weather wasnt great and I was in a shirt and trousers.

Skoda Assist had someone with me within the hour and was on my way after about 15 mins. Yes I could have probably changed it in the same total amount of time but id have gotten wet, filthy, placed at some risk of getting clocked by something travelling on the slow lane.....worst case I might have had trouble getting the car jacked and the bolts undone.....the scissor jacks supplied arent great and neither are the wrenches. Certainly not going to drive around with a trolley jack or torque wrench :-)

I think its all a bit macho to suggest as a man you should really be changing your own....for me its about whats safe and practical...also its a service that comes with the car or otherwise in most cases your insurance policy thats also costing you money so not sure why you wouldnt use it.

The key thing of course is having a full or spacesaver spare in the first place...the foam is crap, only works on the most basic of punctures and serves to potentially what could be a perfectly repairable tyre anyway.

Also reference the TPMS it is generally v reliable and from experience youd be foolish to ignore it. Mine went off on the A23..advising of the correct wheel....i for a second or two considered just driving on but my better judgement led me to pull the car over. I heard the hissing as soon as I opened the door and it was completely flat within a minute or two of stopping.

Edited 30 October, 201510 yr by pipsypreturns