So, not having a spare tire losses some of my peace of mind. What are some solutions to deal with not having a spare. I bought a small air compressor that I can use in the car, but what do you use to repair the hole in the tire? Best solution? Hopefully speaking from experience with multiple products....

 

Spare tire is too big and I took the run flats off. They suck. Awful ride and wanted better tires.

 

AAA or roadside assistance.

 

....for when I blow out. I need something for a small patch or a small nail hole.

 

You can buy a Slime kit, but it will only work for small punctures. My solution is to carry a donut spare, it rides behind the passenger seat standing up. I also have a slime spair tire kit with compressor. You can pick one up at Wallyworld for $15.

 

For all but two incidents in 52 years of driving additional air kept me going until I got home or to a tire store for a plug plus an internal patch. The other two times I installed the spare and continued on.

I've had one slow leak in 4.5 years of driving MINIs on non-runflats.

 

We offer a donut style spare that is great and fits int he back of the MINI without taking up space off a full size wheel.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/mini-spare-tire-wheel.html

I keep one in my car anytime I go out of town, good piece of mind.

 

You can get a patch kit. I carry one, but have not had to use it.

 

Bought a donut spare from Way after a valve stem failed. No tire repair kit could remedy that dilemma. Prior to that PITA I was running on luck. I keep it permanantly in the boot never wanting to repeat that event.

 

I bought a Seat Delete Kit, then a spare 17 inch rim on ebay and new tire to match. I built a bracket to mount my spare to the seat delete cover. Safe, easy and I never needed a back seat anyway !

 

I carry a tire repair kit: http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece...kit-45183.html

Also a small compressor: http://www.harborfreight.com/12v-100...sor-69284.html

And a can of Slime Quick Spair Tire Inflator.

Slime also sells a tire repair kit called "Slime 1034-A T-Handle Tire Plug Kit".

With these three items I feel fairly confident I'll be okay without a spare. In my 25 years of driving I have only had slow leaks and have been okay with only a compressor.

 

Nobody has mentioned it yet, but if you do carry a spare wheel, it probably won't be much use to you unless you have a jack and a lug wrench too.

 

It's also my understanding that on most Minis you can only install the spare on the rear due to brake caliper clearance, meaning that if you have a problem with a front tire you must move the rear wheel to the front then install the spare on the rear. Fortu6if you jack the front up using the Jack point, the rear raises also.

 

My MCS came with RFT's and a jack/lug wrench. What's up with that?

 

Heh, true true.

I ended up taking out the jack and lug wrench for more space and less weight.

I keep a can of slime in the car at all times, but when I go somewhere far, I bring along my donut with jack/lug wrench.

 

Unless you want to replace the tire, DO NOT use "slime". Using that garbage makes the tire unrepairable (patches won't stick, also throws the tire out of balance), so a small nail hole has just turned the tire to junk, costing you a new tire.

 

Thanks for the link to the compressor. Question: It appears that you have to hold the nozzle onto the valve. Is this correct?

 

I carry the exact same compressor. It works well. You're supposed to screw the hose onto the valve stem while the compressor is running. Apparently it's hard on the motor to start while it's pushing against the pressure of an inflated tire. I've done it both ways and it works, but I try to do it the correct way if I remember.

 

So, it'll screw on without twisting/binding the hose, then it'll seal and hold?

 

Yes, the threaded part that attaches to the valve stem is brass and rotates independently of the yellow plastic hose. Once attached it seals and holds and you can let go of it and transfer air. The other end of the hose has a quick release coupling which looks just like those on large compressors, so I guess you can use other hoses and accessories if you wanted to but I don't see the point since there's no tank with this compressor. It's really well built and a great design but it is a little expensive in my opinion, especially for Harbor Freight. I got mine on sale or had one of the 20% off coupons they send in the mail. Oh yeah, the power cord is plenty long to reach all the tires but of course you need to pass it through the left side of the car for the left tires, and right for right. It comes with little adapters to inflate basket ***** and stuff, and a decent zippered carrying case with handle. There's a gauge built in but I never trust them. I think it's reasonably close though.