While looking at some cattle to my right (why would I do that?) the rear left side of the car went… KA BAM, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD. I immediately pulled over and jumped out of the car to find a flat tire. Quickly knowing what to do, I set a Highway 40 record for changing to the spare (the jack that comes with the car is a good design). I got going down the highway to find a more convenient place to handle my situation.

The tire is sidewall was damaged so I cannot repair with the kit I have, I have to buy a new tire.

Found a rest stop about five miles down the road, I had to keep it way below warp speed (it's tough watching the big rigs pass me). I am 180 miles from civilization and we all know how readily available tires are for these cars. When I got out the car I could see the spare tire was low, so hooked-up my portable air system.

Then I went online to find the nearest tire shop. I found Big O tires in Yukon just west of Oklahoma City. They did not have my Goodyear Eagle F1’s tires but were able to get Michelin Pilot Super Sports. So I am now replacing both rear tires (Need to have them match) and I will send the good tire (only 4000 miles on the set) back home.
It was only 160 miles down the freeway at less than nominal speeds but I made it.

Any idea as to what caused the flat?

Glad that its a "minor" issue.

Good luck, safe travels.

Mark

Sorry to hear about the flat, glad nothing else happened, though. Kinda stinks having to buy a whole set of rears, but at least you're not marooned in the nethers of OK. Let's hope the other two hold up through AR. Is the whole set on 4000 miles old or just the rears? That's very strange to have a tire go like that so early. Did you hit something or was it just a blowout?

so then the question becomes, where did you store the flat tire after putting on the spare? was there still enough room in the frunk or did you have to put it in the passenger seat?

are you traveling solo or do you have a passenger with you?

Just made a pit stop at a rest stop, I am still in OK. I got back on the road a couple hours ago, now trying to makeup time.

I had to put the suitcase in the passenger seat to make room for the flat tire in the frunk. Not sure what cut the tire but there is a notch in the outer lip and inner lip of the wheel. Whatever it was cut right through the tire. I should of gone back to figure-out what it was but other things on my mind. Any way, new set of rears on my other Goodyear F1 is being shipped back home via UPS.

Well at least you'll have them scrubbed in well before you get to where you're going. What are you planning to do when you get back, provided you don't have any issues with the fronts? Are you going to buy another set of F1s for the rear or switch the whole set over to Pilots and save the three usable used tires?

I will buy another Goodyear F1 and put them both on after I wear-out the Super Sports. I always go through the back set way before the fronts.

For Sale... Nothing down $150 a month on approved credit. Any takers?

I made my destination (Springdale AR) for this leg of the road trip... Not sure where I will end-up tomorrow, but it will be north of Arkansas.

Nice posts!

Figure this one:-

Wer eine Reise tut kann was erzaehlen!!

Solution later :)

Does it have Litronics on it? :D

Widely traveled people are never short of stories!

Good morning 986 forum. Today my goal is to make it across the border of Michigan into the small town of New Buffalo. I will be crossing Missouri, Illinois, and a small part of Indiana. Always an adventure!

It is HOT here in Springdale... Record high temperatures are hitting this area. It was 111° just down the road at Fort Smith and 109° here in Fayetteville. Arizona heat has nothing over the temperatures here when you add this humidity.

Reflecting upon yesterday’s flat tire fun… I have made this trip a couple times over the years. Although it’s been quite a few years since the last time I’ve made the journey. The big difference now is that I am pack’n a Blackberry and computer with broadband card. While sitting in Nowhere Oklahoma yesterday, I was able to search the web for tire retailers and then make a phone call (Sprint coverage has been great the entire route so far). At the other end, the Sales Associate did a warehouse search and within minutes I had a set of tires lined-up. What would I have done 20 years ago? Probably find the nearest town, grab a phone book and make a few hundred phone calls, and then wait a few days to get the tires delivered.

you will enjoy Illinois. Our heat index today is going to be 115!!! Have a great travel day.

Enjoying being a long for the ride with you on your adventure! I dream constantly of some seriously long Porsche road trips. Someday....

:D
"Who takes a trip can tell something"
:D

Well done!

I made it to New Buffalo Michigan… Sorry I did not post earlier today, I was eating-up some road and stopped only to refuel. I will take some pictures tomorrow of New Buffalo Harbor and post tomorrow. Also on tomorrow's agenda is to head further north to Traverse City (about a four hour drive from here).

I will give Missouri an “A” for maintenance of their highways (except in St. Louis). One of the best freeways I have ever driven on was Highway 44, thumbs-up.

The car is running great and I like the feel of the new Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, they seem to dampen the road a little more than the Goodyear Eagle F-1’s.

Below is a picture I took today while going over the Mississippi River.

Good morning, I will be hitting the road in about 5 minutes headed further north to Traverse City MI. As I metioned in my previous post here are some pictures of New Buffalo, Michigan.

No snow in MI?? :D

Looks like a great trip so far other than the tire mishap... your next plan should be to do the route home while avoiding the interstates and enjoying the backroads :cool:

Made it to Traverse City Michigan today (no there is no snow) and have clocked 2,780 miles from California to here. The Boxster now has 216,035 miles on it.

Woot! Congrats on completing your trip! :cheers: Enjoy your time there and I look forward to reading about your return trip home!

Cheers

Mark

Wow 216K miles..... that's impressive..
What did you change on the car in those miles? Clutch, IMS, AOS.. etc

Thanks
Sasha

Yep, AOS twice and not let's forget the top, windshield, headlights, oil cooler, brakes, coils, O2 sensors, MAF sensor, RMS, flywheel, and water pump.

Hope you're having a good time, Jäger. How many of those 216k are yours? That's amazing (take that VW) :rolleyes:

I have put approximately 185,000 miles on it since I purchased back in 2005.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

DUDE!

Well that's getting your money's worth.

Say, since you're road tripping and taking pictures all throughout, why not contribute to the Boxster Picture Game Thread I just started up today? It might be very easy for you to accomplish some of the tasks since you're travelling all over the place.

:cheers:

when do you start your return trip?

Good for you. Drive it like the Dr. intended!!

The car was born to rev forever! Seriously, I bet you have changed the engine twice to get that sort of mileage – or changed the oil every 1,500-2,000k.

I also say you are a teacher or a professor to be able to afford some, what appears to be, switched on quality time!

Can you describe the engine history and condition please, what type of work involved if any, oil choice & change freq, driving style, petrol/octane selection (habits!), etc...

that is very impressive already

I start back this Sunday... I have been driving all over northern Michigan this past week.

-Daily driver
-Have not taken to the track
-Original motor
-Purchased car in 2005 and it had just over 30,000 miles
-Change the oil every 3500 to 4000 miles - Mobil 1
-IMS bearing upgrade at 210,000 miles (LN Engineering), no other major upgrade or rebuild

so you seriously just got the IMS bearing done before this trip? wow...

Yea, I must have installed it correctly... I now have over 7000 miles on the new bearing assembly.

On The Road Again
 

Going back to California... I had a great time in Michigan. Photo of JägerMobile parked next to Grand Traverse Bay, the west bay (Traverse City has two bays).

Michigan Speed Limit
 

Remember when the speed limit was 55?

Balloon Ride
 

Balloon rides in Missouri

Way too much fun! Be safe.

Tell me more about that glass window top when you have time. My 98 is ready for a new top.