gtc

<center><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2107/1808837831_a57966f7ce_o_d.jpg"></center><p>A funny thing happened on my way to work yesterday... I thought I would stop by the gas station to check my tire pressures.

I don't usually do that, and that sort of attention to detail gave me a sense of self satisfaction that really felt good - it improves gas mileage and increases the overall social benefit by reducing emissions - I felt like I was being a good citizen and helping to spare the air, make the world greener, all that good stuff.

Suddenly one of my tires starts shooting air out uncontrollably and goes totally flat before my very eyes. Apparently, the air valve broke and couldn't keep air in anymore. I didn't know that sort of thing could even happen until this morning.


So sitting there with my 3700lb paperweight feeling pretty stupid, I got towed on a flat bed truck to the dealership in San Francisco...

<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2387/1809684782_122cff9598_o_d.jpg" />

A few months back a gentleman posted that his transmission broke down and stranded him on the side of the road. He mentioned he felt stupid... and now I know exactly what he meant. There is something really asinine feeling about having such a cool car that can't move and the smug smirks of the people who drive by in their economy cars that CAN move.

Has this happened to any of you guys? The tyre system the car comes with can't help out with punctures over 5mm in diameter, doesn't help with air valve problems, and if the puncture is outside the fixable area then its time to be stranded.

I want to get a spare tire and put it in the trunk... does anyone know if this is a viable option?

Victoryroad

and mounted the tire to carry in the trunk as a spare. Two shock cords tie down nicely (diagonally) in the trunk. Also got a small jack and a torque wrench. Yes, it means very little extra space in the trunk, but there is still room enough for packages/luggage. The extra 60 or so lbs. in the trunk do not bother me and I doubt that anyone could detect the extra weight just from driving the car on public roads.
In my case, I mounted a winter tire. Today I traded the RS4 for a newer car, so when I get organized will put the stock RS4 wheel with mounted Dunlop WS tire/TPM, the 3 other Dunlop WS (not mounted) and the MagnaFlow exhaust system on the AW Marketplace.

brianja

what did you get?

Bob W.

...like I did.

gtc

Haha, I can imagine someone tinkering with that stuff on the side of the road. Haha.

absoluteis

But I think I overlooked something.. Our cars dont come with a jack and wrench ???

gtc

But the spare tire at home is definitely better than not having it because it can take up more than a week for the tires to be ordered from Tirerack.

absoluteis

I would have driven home, gotten the spare, brought it back out to the car.. and then slapped myself silly when I discovered there was no jack ! LoL

Damn Im glad I read this thread ..

So what kind of wrench do I need?

Bob W.

dude, I went out of my way to park in a hidden place just to avoid the embarrassment.

Bob W.

not that a wrench by itself would do any good...