So this morning I was driving to the airport and got a flat tire in my '99 996. I have changed tires a million times when doing my brakes, suspension etc but this was my first flat on the freeway. I got the spare tire on with ease and in no time flat (did not want to miss my flight).

Issue: When I went to put the flat tire and wheel in the trunk, it would not fit.

The entire trunk was empty of everything and it would still not fit. I tried to put it in the back seat but it would not fit. The only option was to put the wheel in the passenger seat BUT I had a passenger and luggage. I had to leave the wheel on the side of the road and come back for it.

Am I missing something here? Is the only option to put the flat tire and wheel in the passenger seat, or is there some trick I am missing?

Thank you to anyone who can shed some light on this for me.

 

you aren't missing anything. that's partially why 997 didn't come with spare. the front tire may fit in the rear seat, especially if you have a cabriolet. keep a garbage bag in the trunk so you can put the old tire in there.

hope your wheel is still there when you get back! they aren't cheap.

 

Thank you and the wheel was NOT there when I got back. Luckily I called CalTrans and got ahold of the work crew who picked it up.

 

Happy to hear things worked out. A few months back I had the same issue. To my surprise, the defective wheel did not fit in the front trunk. Luckily, I was a few yards from a freeway turnoff. Threw it in, and left the trunk partially open. I slowly proceeded to the tire shop just a few blocks away. But, here is the lesson learned. Half way there, my under inflated spare could not take the short trip, and eventually began to shred. It had been sitting in my trunk for 12 years. I never thought of checking the spare tire air pressure (60 psi). A costly blew out, and an additional cost to replace the spare wheel (OEM: $600+, Ebay $300). Folks, check your spare tire pressure ASAP. I bet over half of you all will be under inflated.

 

You are very right. Two weeks ago I leaned on the spare while unpacking groceries and realized it had gone completely flat. Good thing I went ahead and inflated it!

 

that is what the little electric air pump is for. if you dont have one, buy one, they are not that expensive. cheap insurance. JB

 

That just happened to me rrrrruben! Got a flat on the highway, put spare, spare got shredded because of low pressure. It was on my rear right. A very expensive ordeal. two new tires plus a spare. luckily found one on ebay for $49.
Now, I have 19" lobsters forks and running 305 tires. I was able to fit it on the back seats. (inside a garbage bag btw)
+1 on the electric pump suggestion...

 

I believe the air pumps were OEM. as the cars are sold/bought they tend to disappear.

also, you can fit a breaker bar in the trunk section with a 19mm fitting, too. $25 for both items. lets you get the lug nuts off easily - especially after the mechanic screws them on with a power wrench rather than adjustable lug wrench. Nothing like struggling to loosen the lug nuts on the side of the road, in the rain, at night.

JB

JB

 

Oh, yes. One other tool is absolutely essential. In the standard tool kit there is a bar that screws into a lug hole in the brake hat. this is essential to hang the wheel on so you can find the other holes to screw in the other lug nuts. putting a new wheel on in the dark is almost impossible with out it. make sure it is in your tool kit.

and a good flashlight also helps.

I have been there on the side of I-95 in NJ, and it is a real help to have all the tools with you.

JB

 

great advice all around. thanks!

 

Im able to fit a 315/25/19 in the back if i fold down one of the rear seats.

 

RWD 996's came with a fully inflated temporary spare, so they didn't come with an electric pump. C4's and C4S' came with inflatable spares so they came with an electric pump. The trunks on RWD 996s are bigger than AWD versions, so I think a regular tire will fit there.

I agree with everyone about checking your spare tire pressure. It's a real pain to do, however, because of the cover and the fact that the valve faces away from the trunk opening. That's why I bought this thing called Chek-a-Spare, which permits you to check the tire pressure remotely. I bought one for each of my cars since they all have very hard-to-get-to spare tire valves.

http://www.getagauge.com/accessories.cfm

 

full size will not fit in a C2 NB

 

Luckily for me, one of my room mates recently purchased an electrical air pump. Definitely saves on runs to the gas station for air pressure adjustment.

 

Walmart sells electric air pumps for $6.99. I have it in my trunk just in case I need it for emergency.