flat tires - warning and question

["Daniel P. Saulnier" <dps@xxxx>]

I got a flat tire last night and would like to share some insights:
1) The spare is very old. It looked great, and when I put it on the car
and lowered the jack, everything seemed fine. After driving 3 feet,
however, all the pressure leaked out. Bummer at midnight on a work night.
2) No amount of coaxing will enable a rear tire to fit into the trunk. The
only place it will fit is the passenger seat. If you get a flat, you have
to choose whether to abandon your tire or your passenger. Fortunately, I
didn't have a passenger. But I did have a large towel (which I recommend
for everyone's 'emergency tools' kit) to protect my NEW leather seats from
the tire.
3) AAA is a wonderful service, and if you ask, they will send a flatbed.
The driver stopped off for a disposable camera, and used up all the film on
my car.

I also have some questions. Does anyone know if the spare can be fixed?
May it just need to be pulled from the rim and remounted? If so, can any
tire place do this? Also, when I got home it looked like the alignment
between the rear fascia and the stainless quarter panels had shifted
(although it was dark, and I was tired, so I could be wrong). Has anyone
experienced this after towing?

Dan.
VIN:05804



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