What spare parts and fluids do you keep in the truck at all times?

[theblet]

^^ Exactly. The response is very similar to the like "that it is a brand new truck so I should not be carrying any tools". I suppose I am in the minority of drivers who still change their own tires when it goes flat and don't rely on emergency road service.

Yup. I like to be prepared as much as I can.

 

[jl13]

If you are going to a diff tire size than what your spare size should be including the spare tire in the new tire purchase.

you would think but I have seen differently. specially on wranglers - they either cheapen out or maybe their 5th wheel mount is not reinforce

 

[Idahoktm]

You never know when there is a glitch in the system that sets a fake code that puts you in limp mode. Clear the code, and go. Better safe than sorry, wishing you had it. It's like any other insurance.

Maybe, but in every case I've seen, if your truck goes into limp mode and you clear the code, it will go back into limp mode if the problem isn't fixed.

I really don't care what you carry. I was hoping learn something new about the OBDII link.

 

[Dewey]

I don't get the tire plug kits. We have spare tires. Just recently had to get new tires for my step sons truck a little sooner than planned. He had one that would leak and needed air added every 2-3 dsysm. Took it to tire shop to get fixed. Someone used a plug in it and the plug leaked. Tire shop refused to fix tire and wouldn't even remount it due to safety/liability reasons. Meaning a tire plug kits basically ruins your tire. I've never liked them, and would never use them on my car tires, even before this.

Funny you say that. I just had a tire repaired and the tire shop plugged it and said it will be fine with no worries. I don’t trust it and will be keeping that tire in the rear and skipping the normal rotation till I get new tires. I spend a lot of time driving 80+ mph on the freeway each day and blowing out a front tire would be a real bad day.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Funny you say that. I just had a tire repaired and the tire shop plugged it and said it will be fine with no worries. I don’t trust it and will be keeping that tire in the rear and skipping the normal rotation till I get new tires. I spend a lot of time driving 80+ mph on the freeway each day and blowing out a front tire would be a real bad day.

Shops that use tire plugs I will never give my business to

 

[HSKR R/T]

Maybe, but in every case I've seen, if your truck goes into limp mode and you clear the code, it will go back into limp mode if the problem isn't fixed.

I really don't care what you carry. I was hoping learn something new about the OBDII link.

Depending on what the code is, it could be something as simple as a loose hose(emissions) or loose connector. Knowing what the code is at least gives you the opportunity to try and diagnose it further to get you back on the road. Or at least know that it's not a serious issue and you are safe to continue driving. In the case I mentioned above about the code the Pulsar triggered, I knew what it was, was able to clear it's and regain my cruise control. But being able to read the codes is only as good as the knowledge of the person reading them.

Not sure what else there is to explain on the be edit of having a code reader. Obviously every person is different. I probably use mine more for viewing different gauges, just for my information, than checking or clearing codes. With the Torque app, you can configure a custom "dashboard" to display the information you want to see, in real time. Lots of sensors you can monitor that aren't available in the EVIC screen on dash.

 

[Dewey]

Shops that use tire plugs I will never give my business to

So what is the proper way to repair a tire?
I always thought for something like a nail in the tread portion of the tire a plug and patch inside would suffice. Anything in the sidewall obviously is junk.

 

[HSKR R/T]

So what is the proper way to repair a tire?
I always thought for something like a nail in the tread portion of the tire a plug and patch inside would suffice. Anything in the sidewall obviously is junk.

A proper patch done from the inside. Plugs are emergency, no other choice, gotta get back to civilization option. Or in say an ATV tire that doesn't see high speed heavy weight

 

[Dewey]

A proper patch done from the inside. Plugs are emergency, no other choice, gotta get back to civilization option. Or in say an ATV tire that doesn't see high speed heavy weight

That’s why I now carry a plug kit. For a minor repair it’s even quicker than dropping the spare.

 

[HSKR R/T]

That’s why I now carry a plug kit. For a minor repair it’s even quicker than dropping the spare.

If it's "minor" then an electric pump to top off the pressure, as needed, would be better option than a plug. If it's leaking fast enough to not do that, it's not a minor repair.

 

[Dewey]

If it's "minor" then an electric pump to top off the pressure, as needed, would be better option than a plug. If it's leaking fast enough to not do that, it's not a minor repair.

Both would be even better

 

[Idahoktm]

Depending on what the code is, it could be something as simple as a loose hose(emissions) or loose connector. Knowing what the code is at least gives you the opportunity to try and diagnose it further to get you back on the road. Or at least know that it's not a serious issue and you are safe to continue driving. In the case I mentioned above about the code the Pulsar triggered, I knew what it was, was able to clear it's and regain my cruise control. But being able to read the codes is only as good as the knowledge of the person reading them.

Not sure what else there is to explain on the be edit of having a code reader. Obviously every person is different. I probably use mine more for viewing different gauges, just for my information, than checking or clearing codes. With the Torque app, you can configure a custom "dashboard" to display the information you want to see, in real time. Lots of sensors you can monitor that aren't available in the EVIC screen on dash.

That's something I had not considered. Definitely worth bringing with me on a road trip...if I ever do one.

 

[Rlaf75]

I don't get the tire plug kits. We have spare tires. Just recently had to get new tires for my step sons truck a little sooner than planned. He had one that would leak and needed air added every 2-3 dsysm. Took it to tire shop to get fixed. Someone used a plug in it and the plug leaked. Tire shop refused to fix tire and wouldn't even remount it due to safety/liability reasons. Meaning a tire plug kits basically ruins your tire. I've never liked them, and would never use them on my car tires, even before this.

Tire plugs do not "ruin" your tires when they are installed correctly. 30+ years as a mechanic and tow truck operator I must've plugged what seems like hundreds of tires and never ruined a tire from a plug. I have seen people that don't know what they're doing ruin tires though. You'll be amazed how many plugs I had to repair because the dip$h!t that tried to plug it didn't even remove the freaking nail that was in it. They make patches that have a long stem that you push through the hole from the inside out and base is a patch you would apply like any other patch. As far as liability is concerned that would've been the way to go to get you back on the road but instead they suckered you into buying 4 tires from them. I guess that was smarter on their part. Lol

 

[Rlaf75]

If you're in the middle of nowhere, I can't think of a situation when reading a code would help fix your truck.

They aren't necessarily waiting to be used on on a new(er) ram. I carry a scan tool and a lockout kit to assist others that may need help. Clearly a lockout kit is useless for my self. If I happen to lock my keys in my truck I can't get to the lockout kit because it's under the back seat. Again it's used for assisting other. Being a mechanic I have a scan tool in my truck, one in my garage at home and one in my tool box at work.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Tire plugs do not "ruin" your tires when they are installed correctly. 30+ years as a mechanic and tow truck operator I must've plugged what seems like hundreds of tires and never ruined a tire from a plug. I have seen people that don't know what they're doing ruin tires though. You'll be amazed how many plugs I had to repair because the dip$h!t that tried to plug it didn't even remove the freaking nail that was in it. They make patches that have a long stem that you push through the hole from the inside out and base is a patch you would apply like any other patch. As far as liability is concerned that would've been the way to go to get you back on the road but instead they suckered you into buying 4 tires from them. I guess that was smarter on their part. Lol

We had been looking at new tires anyways. But they were not going to reinstall the tire and let us drive away. Did end up getting good tires for $50 a tire less than they list them for. Gotta love Discount tire price matching, plus military discount.

 

[Rlaf75]

We had been looking at new tires anyways. But they were not going to reinstall the tire and let us drive away. Did end up getting good tires for $50 a tire less than they list them for. Gotta love Discount tire price matching, plus military discount.

I would've had no problem pulling that bad plug out and using this from the inside. In fact i used a lot of these when i worked at my old shop

 

[Darksteel165]

Depending on what the code is, it could be something as simple as a loose hose(emissions) or loose connector. Knowing what the code is at least gives you the opportunity to try and diagnose it further to get you back on the road. Or at least know that it's not a serious issue and you are safe to continue driving. In the case I mentioned above about the code the Pulsar triggered, I knew what it was, was able to clear it's and regain my cruise control. But being able to read the codes is only as good as the knowledge of the person reading them.

Not sure what else there is to explain on the be edit of having a code reader. Obviously every person is different. I probably use mine more for viewing different gauges, just for my information, than checking or clearing codes. With the Torque app, you can configure a custom "dashboard" to display the information you want to see, in real time. Lots of sensors you can monitor that aren't available in the EVIC screen on dash.

Good example is my CAI fell off on my old truck a week after installing an aftermarket one and truck went into limp home mode.
I was able to quickly scan the code, see the MAF sensor was complaining about something and I opened my hood and saw it was open to the world, put it back on and properly tightened the clamp and I went on my merry way.

 

[theblet]

If it's "minor" then an electric pump to top off the pressure, as needed, would be better option than a plug. If it's leaking fast enough to not do that, it's not a minor repair.

Not if the puncture is causing a fast leak. I had this situation on another vehicle. Spare was stuck, so I had to stop and air it up every 15 minutes. If I would’ve had a plug kit, I could’ve plugged it, aired up, and been good til the tire shop. They patched it and I was good to go. It’s just extra insurance.

 

[Mountain Whiskey]

If any of you had been a carpenter or a field construction guy, especially residential, you would know that a plug kit it just a way of life. If not for these gems you would go broke buying tires. A little rubber cement really helps them seal. They work, don't leak, and in most cases last the life of the tire.

Would I put it on a track performance car? Probably not. Daily driver? Yep.

Purists need to just get over it.

 

[Belvedere]

I bought a 94 Ram years ago with 35's. Each tire had at last one 1/4" lag bolt with RTV. That guy didn't waste time on measly rubber plugs...