First flat/tire change

[MisterGT2]

Fun times in the mountains---
Had a flat on my way over a mountain pass going home from skiing--I got a gash in the sidewall apparently. The air pressure warning came on and indicated the air pressure was dropping to zero in the front passenger tire. Hadn't paid much attention to the jack and donut other than to make sure there was both. I couldn't find the second piece to the handle for the jack. It worked just fine but took a little longer than otherwise to lift and lower the car. Other than almost losing a couple lug nuts in the snow, it went fine. The spare was holding only about 30 lbs of air, but 30 psi seemed a little soft for such a small tire and I was worried about damaging the rim in a pothole. Using my compact pump, I got it up to 50psi (it takes up to 60max) just to feel more comfortable driving, but I realized I've never had to drive on a donut spare before. Is it common to leave the spare at the same psi as the other tires, or do you usually pump it up more than that? I stayed at 50mph or below, but that wasn't hard because the conditions and traffic called for slower speeds anyway.

I just got the car last month, and the Pirelli Soto zeros need to be replaced soon anyway. I had already ordered new tires to be installed later this week, so this is "the best time" for this to happen. I would've liked to wait until the summer to get a pair of summer tires, but the tread was getting low anyway, and my shop told me that the tread depth on the front and the back was different enough to be concerned about damaging the awd components. This is my first awd car so it's news to me. I'm going with continental extremecontact all seasons, since I don't want to buy 2 sets of tires within the next 2 months. I'll probably get winter tires in the fall but it'll be fun to see how different the all seasons feel in the snow.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Now, that's a story of adventure in the snow that isn't very common. You did everything right, especially boosting the psi of the donut.

The AWD endangerment is BS. The difference in OD is negligible with tread wear differences, front to rear. I've jacked up my car at that exact point and only once: but to be able to reach under there to refasten a missing undercarriage panel attachment. No flats yet in over 50,700 miles (just knocked on wood as I typed that ).

 

[Stephen Brubaker]

Hi. I don't like flat tires ether. I got lucky last fall when I was replacing my summer wheels and tires with my winter ones. I noticed a nail in the left rear. It was hardly leaking, that was why I didn't notice it before. Took it in to get fixed in the spring. When I took it to get fixed, found that the tire had 2 nails in it. The good news was they were fixable.

 

[General_Roberts]

Monday I was ran off the road by a F150 that wasn't paying attention. I rammed the curb to dodge the vehicle and thankfully it was enough to avoid a accident but in the process I scraped the rim and blew the tire. So now my car is on the donut as well.

 

[JSolo]

This seems appropriate......

Edit: Re spare PSI. I believe it says you need to have the spare at 60PSI to support the weight of the vehicle. Good idea to check the it at least a few times a year. I usually do in the spring and fall. Should probably check in the summer too as psi is likely to increase due to higher temps.

 

[D.J.]

This seems appropriate......

Edit: Re spare PSI. I believe it says you need to have the spare at 60PSI to support the weight of the vehicle. Good idea to check the it at least a few times a year. I usually do in the spring and fall. Should probably check in the summer too as psi is likely to increase due to higher temps.

Max PSI for the spare is 60psi - there is no minimum or recommended.

I have not read any "recommended" pressure for the spare - other than many people's opinions to keep at the max psi.

 

[JSolo]

^^In the door panel it says recommended 60 psi.

 

[D.J.]

^^In the door panel it says recommended 60 psi.

Sweet

So 60psi it is.

 

[GPhenom]

I need to check mine. It appears a little low and I'm riding on a donut until at least Tuesday.

 

[MerlintheMad]

^^^Kia says to only go c. 50 miles on the donut to the nearest repair center. They say that, of course, to cover their butt, so that someone who drives for days on the donut until it fails and causes an accident can't sue them.

 

[rpoffen]

Monday I was ran off the road by a F150 that wasn't paying attention. I rammed the curb to dodge the vehicle and thankfully it was enough to avoid a accident but in the process I scraped the rim and blew the tire. So now my car is on the donut as well.

Did the guy stop, or just keep going? Technically that is still a hit and run even if no contact was made.

 

[D.J.]

Did the guy stop, or just keep going? Technically that is still a hit and run even if no contact was made.

Must be different in different parts of the world.

 

[General_Roberts]

Did the guy stop, or just keep going? Technically that is still a hit and run even if no contact was made.

He kept going. I contacted the police and because no contact was made there is nothing they can do. I live in North Dakota which is a no fault state and because the damages was around $800-$900 (2 new tires, 1 rim, and alignment) both the police and my insurance said its not worth pursuing charges. I opted to not get a new rim so now I ride with curb rash and cost a total of $430. It just sucks, I'm sure I would have fought harder if there was damage to the suspension. I could have gone through insurance but they said they would have risen my rates and I have a $500 deductible anyway.

 

[rpoffen]

Always wonder if insurance is really worth it unless there is major damage. They nickel and dime it either way.
Next time, maybe let him hit you if the choice is between that and a solo accident.

 

[General_Roberts]

Always wonder if insurance is really worth it unless there is major damage. They nickel and dime it either way.
Next time, maybe let him hit you if the choice is between that and a solo accident.

My reaction is to strong to not swerve out of the way. I definitely would have had more damage if he hit me. At around 30 mph F150 Vs Stinger I think its safe to say the F150 would do a lot of damage.

 

[rpoffen]

My reaction is to strong to not swerve out of the way. I definitely would have had more damage if he hit me. At around 30 mph F150 Vs Stinger I think its safe to say the F150 would do a lot of damage.

Guess I forgot the