MX-5 OC Forum

 Hi

I am new to MX5 ownership and the owners club. Bought my first MX5 a couple of weeks ago and discovered that there is a temporary puncture repair kit instead of a spare wheel. I am interested to hear from anyone who has used the kit, and their views about how straightforward it is. I travel some busy, badly lit A roads early (6 - 6.30am) most mornngs, and in the unfortunate event of a puncture,  was wondering if the repair procedure is as easy as it seems in the manual?

Many Thanks

Kev

I would use something other than the sealant that comes with the car as this renders the tyre unusable, Slime (linked below) has good results and can be cleaned out of the tyre to repair it, have seen it used effectively on a friends MK3 Z Sport.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slime-60089-Quick-Emergency-Repair/dp/B002ZBWKDC/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1323459110&sr=8-8

Sealants can only seal a small puncture, no use at all if you hit something causing real damage to the tyre. 

 Hi Kev, same situation I found myself in having just bought one also. Check your sealant bottle as it is probably out of date like mine. I bought a large Holts sealant instead. I also bought another alloy and tyre which I keep in the garage as it won't go in the boot easily. Not very convenient I know but I can at least give wife or kids a ring and ask them to bring it to me or take it to her if she's driving. The tyre size isn't the easiest in the world to get either so doing that gives a bit of breathing time whilst fixing the punctured wheel if a tyre has to be ordered. 

 Hi Rich

Some good advice. I will more than likely do as you suggest - spare wheel in the garage, and check and replace the sealant if necessary.

Many thanks 

Kev 

 Thanks Ian

I will check out the link and replace the current sealant, with the 'Slime' product

Many thanks

Kev

 Thanks Marpar

Yup, fingers crossed that I don't have a real big one miles from anywhere!

Thanks again

Regards

Kev

We have a spare full size wheel and tyre in the boot of our mk3

a bit of a tight fit, but has got us out of trouble a couple of times

Total disaster - when I badly damaged a low profile tyre and wheel on my original mk3, I had to be brought back 100 miles on the back of recovery waggon.  A spare wheel in the garage would not have helped as my wife and I were on holiday!

One of several reasons that led me to rapidly trade the Mk3 for, ultimately, the Mk2.5 which I now drive and which at least has a spacesaver. 

patnav:

We have a spare full size wheel and tyre in the boot of our mk3

a bit of a tight fit, but has got us out of trouble a couple of times

My Mk3 was a 2.0 Sport with 17" wheels and no way could you get a full size spare in the boot, I tried that without success.

 Yup, times move on and I get the distinct impression we're not expected to change wheels at the roadside these days. I'd be very careful in partic on a motorway and am not sure if it's actually illegal, a passing copper could insist you called a breakdown service if he felt you were in danger I think. That said I can only remember 4 in 40 years which I changed myself and none I called for help with. My son's done his own twice now as he has trouble keeping to the black stuff and I've told my daughter not to even try, not that she doesn't understand how but she would struggle with what can be quite a physical job. We all have breakdown cover and wouldn't hesitate to call them.

y0ungn1ck:

My Mk3 was a 2.0 Sport with 17" wheels and no way could you get a full size spare in the boot, I tried that without success.

Mine too, I made a half hearted pass at it then realised I'd have to let it down to try some more. I think it might go in flat then you'd use the supplied compressor to blow it up before fitting.

Nick
So, when you have a puncture and you're on holiday .... where do you put the full size punctured tyre on wheel?

VO5Jo:

Nick
So, when you have a puncture and you're on holiday .... where do you put the full size punctured tyre on wheel?

Dr. Eunos

VO5Jo:

Nick
So, when you have a puncture and you're on holiday .... where do you put the full size punctured tyre on wheel?

Hi Jo,

This thread and your steel wheels have given me a cunning plan for the 17" brigade. The steels are 16" and with a normal tyre will just fit in the boot according to patnav.

What size/width rim is it and what size tyres do they have as standard? Could we get smaller tyres (how small can we go?) for a steel wheel then spray the thing yellow  and use it as a space saver?

I'm fairly sure the damaged full size wheel will go in deflated otherwise it's back on the navigator's lap as Taff says