I have run flats right now, but as soon as my tires wear out, I will put on non run flats. I don't have a spare and I don't want to carry a spare in my boot or back seat. Would like to know what product you can recommend to carry for flat repair. I am looking more into the spray can with some type of tire sealant as opposed to carrying a mini pump. I have a late 07 MCS built car, so i think i have the direct TPMS?

Thanks

 

Don't quote me on this, but I believe you will have problems using the spray can method of emergency repairs. I don't think you can save the tire after the stuff has been used. Slime, on the other hand, washes out with water, so it's not a problem.

I put a Wally World compressor, Slime, and a tire plug kit in my car, although I still have the run flats. I am expecting to replace them fairly, soon. BTW, I tested the compressor on a tire in a real world simulation so that I'd know how to use it, and could be sure it worked.

Don't know how much your TPMS sensors will change the above. I don't have them.

 

I did this and coupled it with a Dynaplug. Although I've never used either, it's still added comfort without taking up a lot of precious space.

 

P.S. I forgot to mention, that my husband was the one who bought the Slime/Compressor. The latter cost $20. If I'd been doing it, I would have paid more for the little kit because I've been told it will fit in the little space on the right side, under the panel. Haven't tried it. I'm using the side net for my stuff. Can't carry as much milk now.

 

I think I will keep using the runflats. I will not buy them new but I will buy them from people who upgrade to non-runflats or to bigger wheels. I will probably pay $500-800 for OEM wheels/tires package and that is not a bad deal. And I can sell the wheels I have when I buy a new set and get some money back.

 

I sure do wish MINI had brought the exhaust pipes back with a detour around the obvious place for a spare. I think that is the only complaint I have with the MINI as a car design. It could have been done so easily--instead they even sent out the earliest R56s with NO JACK or lug wrench! My MA did get me both, but I wasn't supposed to have them. They got smarter in the following months.

 

There is a jack and a wrench? where is it? I haven't checked, i think i better take a look.

 

It's in the tool kit beneath the carpet. Shown in the owner's manual, but the January cars (February too?) were actually not supposed to have them, per MINI.

 

Bending the exhaust is not the best thing for the performance.

 

I don't know about the slime stuff but it sounds good.

I can say that I have used fix a flat goop, and for the life
of the tire. I still got it plugged mind you, but I never
took the tire off and left the stuff in it. This would be
on a 14 inch non runflat normal tire.

If you carry just the fix a flat I can say never carry
just one can - sometimes you need two.

 

Which brand do you recommend and where can I get it? Walmart? Autozone?

Thanks

PS: forgot to ask, if the fix a flat canister can inflate tire too, or it just seals it from leaking more air? If that is the case, then probably having a compressor is a must.

 

Slime seems to be a popular choice. Rumor has it that Fix-a-Flat cannot be properly cleaned out of the tire.

Regarding TPMS, earlier I found a comment on their web page saying that Slime might not be able to get through the valve on TPMS systems. Now they have a more optimistic statement. Seems like they may have made changes.

http://www.slimesealant.com/index.ph...nswer_1111_loc

 

OK, so after reading the notes on SLIME and TPMS systems, I think i will get slime and a compressor. I think someone said there was one kit for only $20.00 that includes the compressor and the slime. Where do I get that?

 

Walmart has a Green Slime and compressor set for around $30.00 in a neat travel bag. It will fit perfectly in the back of the MINI on the side!

 

Thanks,

 

If you have the new sensors (easily identified by the funky looking valve stem caps), then you best not count on slime or fix-a-flat. My understanding is that the goop ruins the sensor, resulting in your having to replace it...expensive! At least that's the story I've heard from several sources. I don't know what the solution is, but I'd like to loose the runflats myself.

 

Here is what I found about SLIME:

My vehicle has a TPMS device; can I use SLiME?

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]TPMS STATEMENT OF COMPATIBILITY

As leaders in the tire care and repair industry, Accessories Marketing, Incorporated (AMI), the manufacturers of SLiME Tire Sealant wish to address the mandate set forth in the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act, passed in the fall of 2000. In response to this mandate, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that requires the installation of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) to all vehicles by September 1, 2007.

[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]From our findings, and after significant dialog with the leading manufacturers of TPMS devices, SLiME Tire Sealant [FONT=Arial][SIZE=1]will not damage[/SIZE][/FONT] TPMS devices. We understand TPMS manufacturers have conducted extensive testing to ensure their sensors remain operational after exposure to any chemical fluids that might come into contact with the sensors. This includes after market products, such as SLiME Tire Sealant. AMI has also conducted independent testing, which supports and verifies SLiME Tire Sealant’s compatibility with TPMS devices.

Currently, there are two types of TPMS devices available: Direct and Indirect. SLiME Tire Sealant’s TPMS formulation is compatible with all TPMS systems. However, it is important to note that once installed, Slime Tire Sealant may come in contact with the sensor in a way that renders the sensor [FONT=Arial][SIZE=1]TEMPORARILY [/SIZE][/FONT]inoperable until it is properly cleaned, inspected and re-installed by a tire care professional.

[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Because SLiME is a water soluble flat repair treatment, it is easily removed from the tire with water. At the time the affected tire is inspected by a tire care professional, they should clean the sealant from the tire, prepare the area and repair with a Rubber Manufacturer’s Association (RMA) approved patch/plug. The TPMS device should also be cleaned off with water to remove any sealant which may have come into contact with the device. Do not use any fine objects to ream and clean the small pressure sensor opening as it may damage the electronics. After the repaired tire is replaced and inflated the TPMS system will resume operating as normal.

Please note that SLiME is recommended as a REPAIR for all Over the Road (OTR) applications.[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

I ditched my runflats (a very welcome change) and carry in the MINI boot a ContiComfort compressor with integral tire sealant sold by Tire Rack. This sealant is said not to damage tires or rims. Also carry a Dynaplug set, along with the jack and lugwrench I insisted upon when taking delivery of the car. I have not had to use any of the above yet, but feel confident that I could repair a flat without too much difficulty. Cellphone for backup.

 

is the dynaplug needed, even if you still have the slime? and don't you have to take the tire out to plug it? I think for a small hole, it would be very difficult for me to find the hole to plug it. I just don't feel confident enough plugging the tire myself. I much prefer to just slime it, and take it to a tire repair place to do the work.

 

The dynaplug is hella easy... as long as you can find the puncture (which is usually the spot with the nail or screw sticking out ).

 

That Dynaplug system looks great. It can be real annoying using the old style plugs. I'll have to get one of these kits.

 

I suppose. However, there are a whole bunch of sports cars out there that have managed to do just fine with a bend like I'm talking about...Porsche, Ferrari, etc.

 

I carry a plug kit, slime & compressor, and a can of fix-o-flat.

Plugs work just fine on the runflats, btw.