The Importance of Carrying a Full Size Matching Spare Wheel & Tire

[Nothing]

Oh WOW. Glad your run flats did what they were supposed to do. My pothole was probably about the same and same speed, but I was on OEM 19s and luckily I was maybe 1000ft from home. I wouldn't have made it any further, especially without wheel damage.

If you have limited wheels and you want to keep them a long time, six isn't a bad idea. The tires though you'd run into the same problem with tread depth mismatch. It's a shame not even a compact spare fits under the stock floor.

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[Sporky McGeuschky]

Oh WOW. Glad your run flats did what they were supposed to do. My pothole was probably about the same and same speed, but I was on OEM 19s and luckily I was maybe 1000ft from home. I wouldn't have made it any further, especially without wheel damage.

If you have limited wheels and you want to keep them a long time, six isn't a bad idea. The tires though you'd run into the same problem with tread depth mismatch. It's a shame not even a compact spare fits under the stock floor.

Thanks.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that extra thick sidewall on the Run Flat kept the wheel from cutting gravel and tar.

 

[Evox787]

Thank God you’re okay, and it looks like the car didn’t suffer any damage beyond the tire. From the picture, the wheel doesn’t appear to be damaged, which is really great news! The frustrating part about this car is that when you lose a tire, you have to call a tow truck since there’s nothing in the back to help you change it. And if the car isn’t going on a flatbed truck, the tow guy might need to move the other tire too! Ask me how I know He’ll look at you like you don’t know how to work on cars, wondering why you bought a car like this .

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Thank God you’re okay, and it looks like the car didn’t suffer any damage beyond the tire. From the picture, the wheel doesn’t appear to be damaged, which is really great news! The frustrating part about this car is that when you lose a tire, you have to call a tow truck since there’s nothing in the back to help you change it. And if the car isn’t going on a flatbed truck, the tow guy might need to move the other tire too! Ask me how I know He’ll look at you like you don’t know how to work on cars, wondering why you bought a car like this .

DISCLAIMER: [Not a real mechanic. Unpaid actor. Do not attempt.]

"Hi, I'm Sporky McGeuschky. I don't actually work on cars, I just play like I do on civicxi.com ."

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Tuesday, May 26th, 2026.
I'm home safe now.

So for @jtlctr and others wondering ...

It’s amazing that potholes like that even exist. Like how long must have it taken for it to get to meteor crater status?

...
In Houston and other areas along the US Gulf Coast, the ground is very low, flat, damp, and soft.
That is a great combination to cause the ground to shift, not only side to side, but also in elevation. Potholes have always been a problem in Houston, but mostly on lower and slower roadways that are not major thoroughfares.
This is the first time that I have seen such a pothole on a high speed freeway in Houston.

Big City Government, ammiright?
What year is it? 2026, you say?

Pot Holes on major freeways? We promise we'll get to them.

FIFA World Cup City, you say?
But, but, muh World Cup!

Call me cynical, but...
Methinks Big City Government already has its priorities straight in 2026.



That being said, even though I am truly a bit cynical, I am glad that @jtlctr asked the question:

Where are the 7 highway department shovel leaners to spend 5 hours filling the hole? Not that it will do any good, but you should report that hazard. Shit, there are probably a couple of missing children down there!

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Update.

I just called 311 Houston and got transferred to TXDOT, where I reported the pothole.
A representative said that this pothole has been previously reported and that a crew will be patching it Tomorrow! , Wednesday, May 27th, 2026.

 

[Nothing]

Damn! That sucks. Smart thinking having the spare though! I am driving to upstate NY in a couple of weeks and I decided it was finally time to buy the spare tire kit, though I only have a little donut spare which isn’t ideal, but better than being stranded. It’s amazing that potholes like that even exist. Like how long must have it taken for it to get to meteor crater status? Where are the 7 highway department shovel leaners to spend 5 hours filling the hole? Not that it will do any good, but you should report that hazard. Shit, there are probably a couple of missing children down there!

Takes about 2-3 rains and a bunch of Tesla SUVs, HUmmer EVs, and semi trucks on the same stretch of parkway to dig up to 10 potholes. Every single year, very predictable - don't drive on the left lane going east and don't drive on the middle lane going west. Both directions! I always ask why they can't just make the entire stretch concrete... Of course that'll put some people out of work.

 

[dwag88]

Update.

I just called 311 Houston and got transferred to TXDOT, where I reported the pothole.
A representative said that this pothole has been previously reported and that a crew will be patching it Tomorrow! , Wednesday, May 27th, 2026.

I am not a lawyer, but I do work with tort claims. If the DOT knew about the pothole before you hit it, you should check Texas state law. The DOT is generally allowed a "reasonable" amount of time to fix the pothole once they become aware of it. If that "reasonable" timeframe had already passed when you hit the pothole, you could have a valid tort claim. But again: I am not a lawyer.

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

I am not a lawyer, but I do work with tort claims. If the DOT knew about the pothole before you hit it, you should check Texas state law. The DOT is generally allowed a "reasonable" amount of time to fix the pothole once they become aware of it. If that "reasonable" timeframe had already passed when you hit the pothole, you could have a valid tort claim. But again: I am not a lawyer.

Thanks. Yeah I suppose I should take the car to get it inspected for any potential damage. Not sure what could have happened exactly.
I'm thinking of maybe an independent collision center instead of the dealership.

Any alleged, of course, definitely non legal, advice there?

 

[dwag88]

Thanks. Yeah I suppose I should take the car to get it inspected for any potential damage. Not sure what could have happened exactly.
I'm thinking of maybe an independent collision center instead of the dealership.

Any alleged, of course, definitely non legal, advice there?

You would need to present a quote for repair of the damages caused by the pothole. At a minimum that's a new tire, but I'll be shocked if that wheel isn't also out of balance now. Get reasonable quotes. You can go ahead and get repairs. Then submit your claim. Worst case scenario they determine they couldn't have fixed the pothole before you hit it, and you are no worse off than today. Best case scenario, they have to reimburse you for the damages.

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Received my Honda scissor jack kit.

 

[jtlctr]

Received my Honda scissor jack kit.

Woah! You got the murder edition jack! Mine is just zinc coated.

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Woah! You got the murder edition jack! Mine is just zinc coated.

I didn't know there were different Editions!

Now I wonder if Honda is gonna release a Special Edition Box Set some day...

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

I emptied out my trunk to see about utilizing the space underneath the trunk / boot floor for the scissor jack set and tools.
HA!

This space is criminally shallow. I'm pretty sure that pothole on 610 was deeper than this.

I am able to fit one really BIG part of my tool kit under the floor, though...

Nice and secure.

So there's that.