Anyone EVER had a flat tire on their 348 / F355

We used to have them flatbedded into the dealer routinely with flats.

Not having a spare was not a great plan.

 

I drove my 98 Berlinetta home from Orlando (600 miles) without a single issue and experienced a flat tire as I was turning into my subdivision. As a result, I:

1. Upgraded my AAA membership to PLUS (increased towing from 3 to 100 miles)
2. Purchased a full-size spare (front rim) which sits comfortably down in the trunk area

Although most of my luggage space is now gone, I feel a bit more secure driving on long trips. I have already used the towing to flatbed to my local dealer at no cost after an issue with the shift actuator (ah, the price of F1 admission).

As always remember to check the air pressure in the spare often along with the other four tires. I will probably stow a low-profile Corvette jack up front at some point also.

Hope this helps someone down the road.
Ken

 

Yes.

I used to carry a plug kit and portable compressor. Used it once, and it was a lifesaver.

 

Got a fat ass nail in my rear passenger side tire 2 weeks ago. Luckily I noticed it when I got home, heard a loud hissing noise coming from the rear. Must have picked it up on the street near my place.

Shop couldn't patch the tire due to low tread so it gave me an excuse to by 4 new tires

 

Never.

[knock on wood]

 

Yes. Picked up a nail. Luckily made it home & had the tired plugged.

I have AAA+, but getting stranded just sucks. I think a plug kit & compressor is in order

 

So has anyone used the Ferrari can of "fix a flat" ?
My car did not come with one but I am tempted to buy one just in case.
The resale price of the factory original can of fix a flat could be sold here, and then you could buy a spare, socket wrench, jack and handle

 

I still have the can of that stuff that came with my 355 but it says it expired like a decade ago so I'm not sure I'd depend on it.

 

I have that can, too . . . I wouldn't use it, but I'll keep it as an artifact.

Anyone have a flat kit with compressor they like? I was thinking about buying this: Amazon.com: Slime 70004 Power Spair 48 Piece Tire Repair Kit: Automotive

I know there are some who advise against using the goo, but frankly if I had to get home I'd use the goo and whatever else. While the goo mucks up the tire, if I ever had a puncture I'd get a new tire anyway. Would you really continue to run on a tire with a repair?

 

Yep. On Insterstate 10 south of Phoenix. Didn't have my phone and the tire was destroyed. Walked a couple miles through the desert to a gas station (I was lucky as there are very few stations in the area). All I could think of was the movie Family Vacation when Chevy Chase was all delirious walking through the desert. Flatbedded it home.

 

About 5/6 years ago...

I had a rear blow out on me during a rally through the mountains. There was a sharp piece of SOMETHING in the road... it tried my best to avoid it but it caught the rear passenger tire and tore the tread away!?!? Part of the tire took a very small chunk out of the bottom of the rear bumper and put a few scratches on the fender, but the damage was just cosmetic. I could have driven the car home if I had a spare.. the fix a flat was NOT going to do the job. Had it towed straight to the shop instead and fixed within a few weeks.

I guess these cars are not as delicate as everyone thinks they are...

Bonus points for pix? How about VIDEO!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssuqZkDbPow

 

I never have, but I was lucky enough to purchase a spare wheel in case I do.
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I have that exact set-up. It looks just like that...sitting in the storage unit.

if I get a flat, I am screwed and calling AAA. Given the % chance of that versus freed up space in the car I can live with it.

Now that I have said that out loud...I'll get a damn flat this weekend...just watch.

 

Lol, it will happen now you mentioned it.

Mine sits are home also. But I am very lucky in my very small town it's only 5 minutes home to get the spare and a jack/tools to replace it.

So it's all good, no point keeping it in the car unless I decide to go on a long drive out of town which I have done in the past, but forgot to take it. That was a 250 km return trip.

Will definitely remember it for next time.

 

Long story but yep, right after I bought mine actually. I drove it from my place in FL up to my place in DC at 'normal' highway speeds. Once I got up north I it out to the mountains early that weekend for some fun driving and actually got called in by the only other car in the park at the time, so the park police chased me down and kicked me out for hooning. Later that day I went to a big outdoor party, met a cool girl, and while driving her home I suffered a blowout on my left rear tire while gently pulling away from a light. When the tire blew I pulled into a gas station and figured I'd just pump it up with the emergency air kit that comes with the car, but as I was spraying it, I noticed the foam was coming out of the back of the tire. The tread had completely separated from the sidewall, so I definitely dodged a bullet. Had that happened on the highway or while blasting around the mountains I probably would have had a much shorter life. On the bright side, we were only a few miles from the local Ferrari dealership, the girl's dad was friends with the owners, and I got stuck at her place

Lesson learned though.. always check the tread on the inside of the tire. The alignment was set up with loads of camber, so the tread looked great on the outside edges, but the inside edge of the tire was completely worn though.

 

probably a stupid question but which wheel would you use? I am assuming the front as it would go on the rear better than the rear on the front? Now watch me get a flat this weekend since I'm going on a 300 mile trip

 

If you plan on using the front wheel on the rear if you get a flat back there, have you test fit it on the rear? I think the rear caliper sticks out a little further than the front. I may fit fine, but I would hate for you to get stuck out in the sticks with a flat and find out it doesn't quite fit. You might need a spacer.

 

I've had a flat tyre twice on the 348.

Both times I used the "gunk" spray (or whatever it's called) and got home.

It's messy stuff and can mark the paint on the alloys.

The tyre guys hate the stuff.

I've also got a 360 spare wheel. Unfortunatly i forgot that i have very large calipers so propbably won't fit.
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Thanks Rob for the site good price ordered one for my daughter as well. Taking a 1800 mile road trip in august to victoria and thought it would be added insurance.