Results 1 to 10 of 14
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13 September 2011 #1
Frank Administrator
- Join Date
- 30 Jul 2010
- Location
- USA - Netherlands
- Posts
- 7,901
- Saab(s)
- previous: 2006 9-3, 2001-06 9-5, 2011 9-4X
Spare wheel/tire - and not having one
My 9-4X doesn't have the $250 spare wheel/tire option so it has a kit with a tire sealant and air compressor. I like the safety feel of a spare tire but I can't remember having any major tire failure other than a slow leak from a nail or other sharp object.
Have you ever needed your spare wheel/tire for anything other than a slow leak? Does that tire sealant do a pretty good job? Is the soare tire/wheel a relic from the old days when tire quality wasn't as good as it is now? I think I'll carry a tire repair kit like I had with my motorcycle because I don't really like to put that tire sealant in a tire that can still be repaired.
I never really heard any good stories about run-flat tires so I am glad the 9-4X doesn't use those.
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13 September 2011 #2
Mike Moderator
- Join Date
- 30 Jul 2010
- Location
- Rochester, New York, USA
- Posts
- 1,985
- Saab(s)
- Saab-less
I was following my parents and they had a pop-up camper in-tow. One of the camper tires delaminated and the treads flew off. Luckly camper had a spare, and we threw that on. That's the only time where a sealant wouldn't of worked. I've had a slow leak myself, but sealant would have fixed. My brother once pinched up against a root when we were camping, putting a big 2 inch slice down the side. Again, a spare would of been the only thing to fix it.
I know most cars with run-flats have nothing. No spare, no sealant, not even a lug wrench.Free SaabWorld Stickers
"Sometimes it is better to travel than it is to arrive." - Robert Pirsig
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19 February 2012 #3
- Join Date
- 19 Feb 2012
- Location
- Cincinnati, OH
- Posts
- 1
- Saab(s)
- 2011 Saab 9-5 Aero AWD
Get a spare tire!
Picked up a left over 2011 9-5 Aero yesterday. While making the 230 mile drive home the tire went out and we were stranded on the side of the road (no tire places open on Saturday night/Sunday). Tried using the sealant but it looks like it was too late. Needless to say, I'm getting a full sized spare and jack for the car.
Never had a tire problem before and thought I'd be fine without even a donut but I was wrong.
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20 February 2012 #4
Frank Administrator
- Join Date
- 30 Jul 2010
- Location
- USA - Netherlands
- Posts
- 7,901
- Saab(s)
- previous: 2006 9-3, 2001-06 9-5, 2011 9-4X
I really should get one as well. With a previous 9-5 purchase, I was driving from CA to MI and got a puncture somewhere in North Dakota on Saturday evening. Good luck finding a tire shop like you mentioned. I had a donut but you don't want to drive too long on those.
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20 February 2012 #5
Jeffrey Master SaabTech/Moderator
- Join Date
- 25 Oct 2010
- Location
- Point Pleasant, PA
- Posts
- 1,316
- Saab(s)
- - 86' 9KT - 95' 9K Custom CS - 06' 9-3 Combi - 07' 9-7X Arc - 08' 9-3 Convertible - 08' 9-3 TurboX -
Well - for the 9-4X install - have fun. I had to install the kit in an SRX one Saturday @ work - what a joke. I hate how these cars don't come with one anymore.... I too would ensure I had one if a car I owned was not equipted.
On a plus side - those air compressors are kick ass tire inflatorsEuropean Motor Services, LLC - Point Pleasant, PA 18950 - www.europeanmotorsvc.com
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20 February 2012 #6
Had tires go where sealant wouldn't fix it. Some shops won't work on tires with sealant in them, safety or PITA, depending on the shop.
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20 February 2012 #7
Jeffrey Master SaabTech/Moderator
- Join Date
- 25 Oct 2010
- Location
- Point Pleasant, PA
- Posts
- 1,316
- Saab(s)
- - 86' 9KT - 95' 9K Custom CS - 06' 9-3 Combi - 07' 9-7X Arc - 08' 9-3 Convertible - 08' 9-3 TurboX -
Many tire "sealants" have PROPANE in them - so when a tech reams a metal reamer through the tire past the cords - it could spark and ignite killing the tech. I refuse to touch them unless it has slime - then I just don't like to deal with it.
Install your spare tire, don't waste time trying to "seal" a flat people - just have a spare and learn to change it or have AAA membershipEuropean Motor Services, LLC - Point Pleasant, PA 18950 - www.europeanmotorsvc.com
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21 February 2012 #8
Jared The young one
- Join Date
- 05 Aug 2010
- Location
- A little town in Indiana
- Posts
- 580
- Saab(s)
- 2003 Saab 9-5 ARC ( and care-taker of a '98 900SE)
I've had to use my spare FOR a small leak. It went totally flat after awhile an I don't have an air compressor. I had to put the spare on the car while I took the wheel down to a tire shop to get a new tire put on. I say get a spare.
I don't drive fast...I fly slow
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21 February 2012 #9
I've actually had a quite a few punctures over 4 1/2 years with my Saab, but I haven't had to use my spare yet. '
Having a spare is a safety net, I guess. I wouldn't be comfortable with just a can of Fix-A-Flat.
I've had at least one garage tell me they wouldn't repair a tire if sealant had been used on it.
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24 February 2012 #10
Todd Saab Fan
- Join Date
- 06 Aug 2010
- Location
- Johnstown, PA
- Posts
- 34
- Saab(s)
- 2006 9-3 Aero VTuner Stage 0
I've had a tire blowout on me on the highway. The outside sidewal had completely seperated from the tread. No way sealant would have fixed that.
I ditched the donut in my 9-3 and bought a junkyard G6 wheel and put a decent used tire on it. I didn't want to be stuck on the highway with a donut and have to do 50 or get stuck with it on a drivewheel in the snow. Small price to pay for some peace of mind.
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