First Flat in Thirty-Five Years

[RR - All the way]

As the title says I had my first flat on the way to church Sunday..... NO, I do not think my destination had anything to do with the flat!! Because of my past few flats I seriously considered not getting the $115 "full size" spare. Turned out I was glad I did. I drove about 100 miles on the spare with no difficulty; perhaps pulled to the right a bit. Spare was on right rear.

Tire alert worked well and I put air in the tire before and after church to get home to change the tire. This avoided all the gawkers giving mean less advice after church.

I did find that "inflation" of a tire is another victim of inflation!!! Machine took a credit card for $2.50 each time. As a person of 'Advanced Middle Age", I clearly remember it being free and an attendant checking pressure and adding for free. Now all I need is some young smart aleck telling me: "It is what it is"!!!!!!

Overall, it was not too hard to do.....

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[crgator]

Get one of these, does away with the problem of finding a working compressor: Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor

 

[TheSEARCH]

I had my first flat EVER 3 days ago. Been driving over 35 years. Mine was the left rear. I have the hybrid. So not worried being on none drive location. Yes i got the full size spare BUT full size isn't really full size. about a inch or 2 smaller diameter. By boat marina, ran over BIG plastic handle with stud. Went clop clop. Stopped Pulled it out of tire. Air rushing out. Pulled real fast to paved parking lot to change. Used jack I hoped I never would ever have to use. From now on I also carry a jack stand for extra safety,.

 

[JennyJoannSuebeeMcNash]

Flats happen. Mine happened back in June of '23 on my way into work. I called my boss and told her outside forces had deemed it necessary to not come into work that day. She was cool about it. Put the spare on and headed back to my side of town for a new tire.

Had been considering getting a new Maverick (and then a Ranger) but decided I didn't want to make any purchases so long as Ford's rates are at 7% for these particular vehicles. Instead, I bought myself a new set of tires all the way around. Ride and drive are MUCH better minus the stock tires.

 

[Scott Asheville]

Try building a new home. The contractors scatter nails of every imaginable type everywhere. I went over the area around the house daily with a fancy rolling nail magnet widget, and we still got multiple flats.

I sometimes wondered if the guys just threw handfuls of nails into the air for amusement.

 

[fossil]

I bought myself a new set of tires all the way around. Ride and drive are MUCH better minus the stock tires.

AWW, come on. You can't just say that without telling us what you bought.

 

[cyberdog]

I keep a permanent plug kit and small dual piston compressor in the truck, just like when I had my Outback. But then I also have a socket sets, jumper box, medical kit, emergency blankets, 12v Extension Cable, Wheel Chocks, Flash Light, and Work Light, just to name a few of the items. - Oh yeah, and a base for the jack that can steady it on sand/dirt and raise it 3-4 inches, making it easier to lift the vehicle in order to replace a tire.

And that doesn't even include the dog seat cover, dog restraint, and other items of that nature.

Anyone who drove an older or higher mileage car when they were young learned to always be prepared!

 

[1929]

As the title says I had my first flat on the way to church Sunday..... NO, I do not think my destination had anything to do with the flat!! Because of my past few flats I seriously considered not getting the $115 "full size" spare. Turned out I was glad I did. I drove about 100 miles on the spare with no difficulty; perhaps pulled to the right a bit. Spare was on right rear.

Tire alert worked well and I put air in the tire before and after church to get home to change the tire. This avoided all the gawkers giving mean less advice after church.

I did find that "inflation" of a tire is another victim of inflation!!! Machine took a credit card for $2.50 each time. As a person of 'Advanced Middle Age", I clearly remember it being free and an attendant checking pressure and adding for free. Now all I need is some young smart aleck telling me: "It is what it is"!!!!!!

Overall, it was not too hard to do.....

Wish I had your luck. I've experienced minimum of 2 or more flats per year for at least the past 10 years. Last time I had a flat was last month. Had it repaired at no cost at Sam's Club.

 

[JP4AZ]

I purchased a double duty: Jump starter/Compressor for my Hybrid. So far haven't had to use it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/375121650442

 

[crzy_one]

was it a Continental ProContact tire?

 

[Maui]

i had a flat too. A nail dead center in the tread. My phone informed me I had a low tire while sitting in my easy chair through the Ford app.

I reported in an earlier post that I had purchased Good Sam coverage for tire and wheel coverage. It took awhile, but it was covered 100% for replacement.

 

[RR - All the way]

was it a Continental ProContact tire?

No, it was the Michelin original that comes with the Lariat. Pleased with the tire; 18.5K miles and look almost new. Two tire rotations with oil changes. Culprit was a piece of triangular metal almost like what a glazier uses to hold glass in a window, but larger.

 

[colinl]

I am 48 and I have not had a flat on any vehicle in my household that required roadside repair or tow, ever. In my entire driving history I've only had 4 slow leaks that I can remember, and tire shops were able to patch them all successfully. Of those 4, once I was told that a puncture was not repairable and they suggested at least 2 tires (same axle) to replace, or all 4 would be the best solution. My solution was to leave and go to a different tire shop, who plugged the tire and I drove it another 20k miles or more before it was worn out.

One of the 4 repairs was in early July 2023, on my Maverick. I've done about 15k miles since then and it is not leaking. I do check my pressures cold every now and then using FordPass, so I'm certain it isn't leaking.

I do not drive tires until cord shows. I generally replace at the wear bars on summer tires, or whenever rain and snow performance is noticeably degraded on all-season, all-terrain or winter tires. (I haven't had dedicated winter tires in quite some time, though.)

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