Red6

I agree with everything you said. There are some weird things seen on the highways. I am sure you experienced a lot of bizarre things during your career.

I guess my wife and I have lived a charmed life. We travel a good bit and go to Florida and other southern states multiple times a year. Over the last 20 years, we have probably traveled to Florida more than a dozen times and have never had a flat. We have experienced only 2 flats in those 20 years. One just 2 weeks ago when my wife curbed a tire avoiding another car that had drifted over into her lane. The other one happened in 2011 in my own driveway after having our roof replaced after a storm. Roofers had roofing nails everywhere and while they tried to pick most of them up, it only takes one to flatten a tire.

That is not to say that I have not hit a few things during our travels. Potholes, pieces of metal and all types of other trash. But luckily, no flats. I think today's tires are pretty tough and durable. (other than the sidewalls!)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Speaking of tires, at one time, the Corvette needed a different tire at each corner. There were front tires and rear tires, and there were tires for the left side and tires for the right side. Is that still the case?

melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country

There was a long spell when Chrysler cars, and perhaps others, were left-threaded on the left-side wheels. Somehow, the stresses on the wheel exert a counter-clockwise torque on the lugs, and presumably vice-versa on the right side. The one time I had a wheel come loose it was on left; I wonder if anyone has gathered statistics on this.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

Had two ‘76 Subaru’s back then. Spare tire was on top of the engine attached to a shelf that came off of the cowling. Stopped at a gas station for gas one day. Young attendant raised the hood to check the oil & noticed the spare. He looked at it & realized it was designed that way. Asked me why. I couldn’t resist; I told him that Subaru’s were designed to be a race car as well as daily driver, and that the spare tire was kept over the engine to keep the tire warm for better traction if it needed to be used. He believed me and said: Wow, what an ingenious idea. I didn’t have the heart to tell him differently.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Sounds about right.

JoeBiker Loc: homebase: Houston, TX

> Tires today are much better than years ago

Depending on your definition of years ago, I haven't had such luck. Ten to Fifteen years ago, I had two cars that had low profile Continental tires (it was what they came with from the dealer). Of the 8 tires, I had 5 blowouts while driving (and no can of fix-a-flat was going to fix that). Towards the end, I could recognize the vibration starting (oh, no, here we go again...), and pull off the road before it actually blew (just a big bubble on the side of the tire). Fortunately, in those days, cars came with full size spares. I no longer buy Continental tires, even if they aren't low profile.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

Noooo - THAT is when you find a local tire store and have your flat fixed! OR - if needed - buy a new tire.
I always get road hazard insurance when I get a new car OR new tires. That comes from a national chain with stores just about everywhere. Even my Tucson Hybrid does NOT have a spare - rather there is a tire inflation kit with fix-a-flat sealant goo. That Might handle a small puncture, but not a sidewall blowout. For those I'd call my insurance company who will arrange towing to the nearest repair facility.
During my 15K miles service check, the technician found a gash on a front tire sidewall . No clue what caused it - but I took it back to the tire store - they agreed it was NOT repairable - so for $40 (the cost of tire insurance on the NEW tire), I got a brand new $200+ Michelin replacement.

jinx

We had to limp to an exit off the interstate and find a place to buy and mount a tire. There was a big hunk of tire missing from our tire. I had insurance but cell phone had no service and the police office arrived as we were putting things back in the trunk. Ah, memories and not all of them good.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

I too have some stories to tell - but NOT today.

Lucasdv123

Firestone has been having blowout sales since the introduction of their 500 series tires.i bought a 5x8 trailer at a local tractor supply and when I left I noticed the trailer was bouncing all over the place .stopped and got out to check. First of all I could turn the lug nut with my hand.they had also placed the nuts with the flat side in instead of the cone so the tires were off centered. I took it back immediately and demanded to speak to the manager. I told him the kids putting them together needed some training and a new cordless drill with some balls.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I agree. A flat on the highway is a destroyed tire before you can even pull over. The compressor and fix a flat is useless and now you are stranded in a very dangerous place for quite some time depending on weather and time of day.

Lucasdv123

Why the hell does DOT even allow an auto maker to sell a car with a compressor and a can of never leak. I guess people who buy a new car every 2 or 3 years know that if they want a spare tire they have to pay for It but for those of us who only buy a new car every 10 to 15 years won't know about the spare for quite some time.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

We have an Expedition - the spare is mounted UNDER the vehicle suspended by a winch lowered by a crank through a hole in the back of the car. More ons built this with the inflation tube up against the bottom of the vehicle - so you can't even check the pressure or re-inflate the spare without dropping the tire. There is a special place in He double hockey sticks for the more on who designed that.