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      05-24-2011, 09:41 PM   #1
509trooper
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Run Flat Emergency Kit

I was thinking of purchasing a portable air compressor, one that will plug into one of the vehicle's power adapters along with a plug kit. My rationale is that with the temporary fix, there is less chance of damaging the wheel.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Also, is there a flash light made that can be recharged or powered off a vehicle power adapter?
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      05-24-2011, 09:56 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 509trooper View Post
I was thinking of purchasing a portable air compressor, one that will plug into one of the vehicle's power adapters along with a plug kit. My rationale is that with the temporary fix, there is less chance of damaging the wheel.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Also, is there a flash light made that can be recharged or powered off a vehicle power adapter?
Not sure about the compressor. I have definitely seen them, but have no experience. As far as the flashlight, check out Streamlight's rechargeables - they last forever.
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      05-24-2011, 10:55 PM   #3
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I picked up a very compact kit at a Super Target. It had slime (quoted as safe for tpms system) a small 12v compressor. It was very reasonable in price. It's now in the back storage compartment of my X3
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      05-25-2011, 01:24 AM   #4
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I carry a small kit that includes a few fiber/rubber plugs, a tube of rubber cement, and a Slime COMP02 compressor. It works well and is one of the few low-cost, very small compressors that is reliable.

See:
http://www.amazon.com/Slime-COMP02-1...6304037&sr=8-7

Slime also sells the COMP03 which includes a flashlight. Have never seen one in the flesh, so can't say if it's any good.

I did publish a review of the COMP02 on Amazon.com

With the BMW's built in TPMS, there is really no excuse for destroying a a fully deflated run-flat tire by driving any distance, unless you have a gigantic cut that deflates it instantly.
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      05-25-2011, 01:50 AM   #5
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They should just have given us a spare wheel, thats my biggest dislike on the X3
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      05-25-2011, 08:29 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by inamik75 View Post
They should just have given us a spare wheel, thats my biggest dislike on the X3
A spare wheel with a tire attached would have been even better!
Sorry, couldn't resist.
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      05-25-2011, 08:38 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus7 View Post
A spare wheel with a tire attached would have been even better!
Sorry, couldn't resist.
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      05-25-2011, 05:32 PM   #8
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I have one that I bought for my E90 from Wal-mart. I purchased it when I went to the regular tires. It works very well. I have just got my 28i in today. I traded my E90 in on it and I plan on keeping my pump.
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      05-25-2011, 06:05 PM   #9
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Has anybody used Slime? How did it work, and what was the process?

My intent is plug the tire as soon as a puncture is detected to avoid damage to the wheel and possibly get the tire repaired.
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      05-25-2011, 06:29 PM   #10
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I could be totally wrong here, but I think I decided against similar products before runflats because they said something like their use would/might make it impossible to repair the tire. Encounter that on any of the packaging?
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      05-25-2011, 08:20 PM   #11
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Isn't the purpose of run-flats to be able to get to a tire store or dealership? Are you not supposed to be able to drive at 50 mph for 200 miles if necessary?
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      05-25-2011, 08:28 PM   #12
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Yes. Have done so. Great.
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      05-25-2011, 08:38 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brutus1 View Post
Isn't the purpose of run-flats to be able to get to a tire store or dealership? Are you not supposed to be able to drive at 50 mph for 200 miles if necessary?
Yes, but... At that point the tire MUST be replaced. I was hoping that by patching the tire ASAP it might be ultimately patchable
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      05-25-2011, 08:39 PM   #14
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Don't think so.
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      05-26-2011, 12:58 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 509trooper View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brutus1 View Post
Isn't the purpose of run-flats to be able to get to a tire store or dealership? Are you not supposed to be able to drive at 50 mph for 200 miles if necessary?
Yes, but... At that point the tire MUST be replaced. I was hoping that by patching the tire ASAP it might be ultimately patchable
I've heard that most tyre repair centres won't repair run flats because there is no safe way to detect side wall damage
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      05-26-2011, 06:57 AM   #16
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Lightbulb Spare Tyre

If you look thru the owners manual, you will find the specs for a temporary use spare. It is in the section where wheel and tyre sizes are shown for the various models. Curious.
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      05-28-2011, 12:20 AM   #17
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For the F25, Is the TPMS system based on wheel diameter and rotation (ABS based), or is there a sensor on the wheel?

I was told by my Dealer's parts department the slime would wreck the TPMS.

So, does anybody know the real answer?
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      05-28-2011, 02:37 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by torzeck View Post
For the F25, Is the TPMS system based on wheel diameter and rotation (ABS based), or is there a sensor on the wheel?

I was told by my Dealer's parts department the slime would wreck the TPMS.

So, does anybody know the real answer?
Your dealer is correct.

2011 X3s use a transmitter in each wheel for the TPMS. Previous X3's (after 2006) also use a transmitter, but the frequency was changed in 2011 so previous units will not work with the F25. Slime will damage the TPMS system and will also make the tire impossible to balance. It should not be used on a X3 unless you are planning on replacing the tire and TPMS transmitter. F25 TPMS transmitters are available from Tire Rack at $45 each. The Tire Rack units are the same as those supplied by BMW. I have (4) in my winter tires and they work fine with the TPMS.
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      05-28-2011, 04:19 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vrrooom View Post
If you look thru the owners manual, you will find the specs for a temporary use spare. It is in the section where wheel and tyre sizes are shown for the various models. Curious.
does it show where to put it in the car, for i didn't see any space for it.
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      05-28-2011, 06:19 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus7 View Post
Slime will damage the TPMS system and will also make the tire impossible to balance. It should not be used on a X3 unless you are planning on replacing the tire and TPMS transmitter.
So, where would this leave a slime fixed non-runflat? Would a standard tyre also need to be replaced or could it later be patched at a tyre shop?
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      05-28-2011, 09:47 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bustofa View Post
So, where would this leave a slime fixed non-runflat? Would a standard tyre also need to be replaced or could it later be patched at a tyre shop?
Slime is strictly an "emergency" repair. Presumably, one might fine someone who would remove the stuff, but it's designed to stick to rubber and hardens so is not easy to remove. Runflat tires have an additional inner liner layer that is much like a very thin inner tube. It's easy to damage and scraping off the Slime would certainly put it at risk. It would be a very time consuming (expensive) job. To achieve a lasting balance, all of the goo would need to be removed. Most tire repair shops won't touch a tire that's been "Slimed", not to mention the destroyed TMS transmitter.

Tire manufactures usually recommend that tubeless tires are repaired by using a "mushroom" plug from the inside that fills the hole and patches the area around it. No sidewall repairs are allowed.

Personally, I've used rubber-coated fiber plugs installed wet, coated with fresh rubber cement on small (less then 3 mm) nail holes without a inner patch and have never had one leak or pop out. This type of repair must be done by carefully cleaning the hole with a small rattail file and using a plug installing tool, but can work and be safe. If the plug does loosen, at worse, all that will happen will be a fairly slow leak with the TMS warning of low pressure. I think an "external" plug kit and a portable compressor (Slime makes a nice one) is a much better solution then Slime, but that's just a personal opinion.
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      05-28-2011, 09:55 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by inamik75 View Post
does it show where to put it in the car, for i didn't see any space for it.
You can put a couple of them on the roof, Paris-Dakar Rally style.
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