Totally agree on ditching the sealant kits—had one fail on me last winter, and it was a nightmare. Now I keep a full-size spare and a decent jack in the trunk at all times. Also, good call on the breaker bar; those tiny factory wrenches are a joke when you're freezing your fingers off at midnight. Curious though, anyone here ever tried run-flat tires instead? Heard mixed things about ride comfort but seems like they'd save some hassle...
Run-flats seem convenient on paper, but honestly, they're not always worth it. Had them on my last car—ride felt noticeably harsher, especially over potholes. Plus, replacements were pricier and harder to find. I'd stick with your spare-and-jack setup... less comfy maybe, but reliable.
"ride felt noticeably harsher, especially over potholes."
Yeah, that's been my experience too. Run-flats are great in theory—no need to pull over immediately—but the trade-offs can be annoying. If you're stuck again, here's what I'd suggest: first, check if your insurance has roadside assistance (many do, even if you didn't explicitly add it). If not, AAA membership is pretty reliable. Saved me once when I blew a tire near Nashville... took about 45 mins but got me rolling again without hassle.
Had a similar experience last summer—blew a run-flat near Louisville. Thought I was golden till I realized how rough the ride was after. Ended up calling AAA too, but man... waiting on the shoulder with semis flying past ain't fun.
Man, run-flats are great in theory till you're actually driving on one. Had a buddy swear by them until he shredded one near Nashville—said it felt like riding a shopping cart down a gravel road. Personally, I stick with a spare tire and a jack in the trunk; old-school, sure, but at least I know what I'm getting into. You guys ever ditch the run-flats after an experience like that or just keep rolling the dice?
