Hello,

I dreaded this moment and it finally came... On my way to a vacation with my wife the right front tire goes flat. I am in the middle of nowhere and place all hope on the "tire filler" in the truck that I have never used (my SRT has 6,700K on it) Once I got it set up and hit the switch the foam started leaking out of the hose where it is crimped by the metal. White jiss everywhere and still a flat tire. I had to get a 100 miles tow to the nearest dealership, which of course, has to order the tire. Three questions:
1) can I use A Mercedes SLK "donut" spare?
2) How can I make sure the tire filler is functional before I need it?
3) Any other alternative tire fillers that might work with these low-profile Michelin pilot PS 2s?

Thanks.

Paulius

 

What happen to you is really terrible. Don't know why DCX didn't allow for a spare, even a donut. The SLK donut should work.

 

From my limited research so far it seems most late model Mercedes have the 5 on 112mm bolt pattern (also some Audi's and others). I intend to find the tallest minispare (donut) and put it in my trunk with a homemade tire cover.

See: http://www.ronalusa.com/cars.html

 

Let me know if you find one. I've been looking for one for some time now.

 

Thanks guys. When I return from this "vacation" I will visit a local Mercedes dealer and see what I can dig up. I do not want to go through this again.

Paul

 

I had a Ford Crown Vic minispare and tried it today. I took some old lug nuts and drilled them with 1/2" bit to use as spacers for the long lug bolts. Carefully mounted the wheel (the bolt circle is a mm or so different) and then drove it a little. It drove smooth. I checked torque before and after and it did not change. I think this will work just fine for short slow emergency runs with no damage to lug bolts. The tire diameter is approx. 23" which will fit flat in the trunk floor of the coupe.
Alternately there are minispares for ML series that have the correct bolt pattern but are approx. 29" diameter. (some on eBay now).

 

Thanks for the suggestion. It feels good knowing there is a community of Xfers that can teach me a thing ot two.

Paulius

 

Let us know what you find out, we will be heading to the Chrysler Nationals this year, my biggest worry is a flat.

 

Hello, Has anyone actually tried the Mercedes "minispare" for ML 350, 430 and 320 to see if it does indeed fit our cars. If it does it seems a small price for the added security. The ones on ebay seem to be going for $70, delivered. The other big question, will it fit into the coupe's rear hatch space? If anyone knows, please post. Thanks.

 

But even if the donut fits in the trunk, what will you do with the full-size wheel and the flat tire that you remove when you make the change?

 

That's a great, practical question - what to do with the flat. I'm thinking since it's an emergency, that the solution doesn't have to be pretty. Do you think the deflated wheel/tire would fit in the open hatch with the hatch door roped down? If that would work, as inelegant as it may be, it would be preferable to being stuck. What do ya'll think? I don't want to have to deflate and try to stuff a wheel/tire just to find out. Thanks.

 

Should fit, just take the measurements and angle the flat tire and rim into the hatch the right way. Ya gotta do whatcha gotta do...

 

of course, if you have a Roadster...

 

... or your trunk already filled with bags or other goodies for a long weekend...

 

If that were to happen, you would just have to strap it to the outside of your trunk lid. Just make sure you carry something to protect your paint finish.

 

After the debacle of this past week I would bury the flat/rim in the woods and come back for it later: unless I have room in the front seat.

Paulius

 

The other option is; after strapping it on your car, stop at the first town you come across that has a UPS/FedEx facility and ship it to your house.

 

Maybe you could carry a folded up shipping box already made out with the appropriate postage and drop it off at the nearest post office...

 

An update on the search for donuts:
I checked with an Audi shop in the neighborhood and they said 17 inch donut would run me $175 for the rim then another $40 for the tire. I think I'll be visiting a few junk yards first...

Paulius

 

Maybe your passenger could hold it outside the passenger window. If you carry a nice soft foam pad in the trunk that could keep it from scratching up the side of the car. Personally I'd call AAA and just wait out that free tow truck...