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I ended up saying that I thought the spare tire inflator kits were probably the best compromise solution, and that I did not find the dinky compact spare to be much better a choice than the inflator kit, considering the expense and viability of the spare.
Personally, ideally, I'd love for cars to be designed with a full sized fifth wheel and tyre as a part of the purchase design.
I ended up saying that I thought the spare tire inflator kits were probably the best compromise solution, and that I did not find the dinky compact spare to be much better a choice than the inflator kit, considering the expense and viability of the spare.
George - I have to strongly disagree with your opinion of the dinky compact spare. While I also would prefer a full-size spare, the dinky compact spare is the only thing between a side-wall puncture and one's ability to continue a trip without a tow, a situation that I have been in more than once. I like the inflator kit as a way to avoid a tire change in case of a tread puncture, but I would not travel any distance without the dinky spare. And the full-size spare is not likely to return. Just my take on it (which has also not been requested by Acura).
George - I have to strongly disagree with your opinion of the dinky compact spare. While I also would prefer a full-size spare, the dinky compact spare is the only thing between a side-wall puncture and one's ability to continue a trip without a tow, a situation that I have been in more than once. I like the inflator kit as a way to avoid a tire change in case of a tread puncture, but I would not travel any distance without the dinky spare. And the full-size spare is not likely to return. Just my take on it (which has also not been requested by Acura).
I would have to agree fsmith! First thing i have done with my last three Acura's, is to buy the spare tire kit. I do not like to sit and wait on the side of the road at 11-12 at night for hours, when i can be on my way in 20 minutes.....
I would have to agree fsmith! First thing i have done with my last three Acura's, is to buy the spare tire kit. I do not like to sit and wait on the side of the road at 11-12 at night for hours, when i can be on my way in 20 minutes.....
Even if you choose not to change the tire yourself in 20 minutes, waiting for the AAA guy to change it still means you can get where you are going the same day instead of spending the night in a motel waiting for the closest dealer or tire store to open!
Amazing, got this survey in the email yesterday (hadn't checked).
"Would you purchase another vehicle with a Tire Sealant & Inflator Kit (TSIK) with Roadside Assistance instead of a standard temporary spare tire?"
They didn't have my answer until the next page, so I said "no". My actual answer is that I would, but there must be a spare kit available as an option. I've pulled over to repair many flats in my time. The last time was five years ago. In fact, I've had quite a run with no flats.
However, I road-trip across the U.S. on a regular basis and I'm not sitting at the side of the road for two hours, in Middle of Nowhere, Colorado, waiting for Roadside Assistance to bring the wrong truck (our cars need to be flat-bedded) if I have a flat. 15 minutes at the roadside is much preferable.
I don't have a flat that often, but I just don't want to take the chance of traveling out of my immediate area, which I do regularly, without backup protection. And even when driving locally, the bad Northeast winter we just had gave me the delightful present of a totally destroyed tire and bent rim from a mile-deep pothole, and I was able to get to a meeting after a tire change, and then get a new tire and straightened rim the next day. No spare would have ruined my day totally.
I'm also of the opinion that "better safe than sorry" applies to having a spare tire onboard. It has been 25 years since I've had to use a spare tire, but I was really glad I had one for that incident of a sidewall puncture.
If Acura is looking for opinions, my two cents would be that it should be a nominally priced dealer installed option. I understand the appeal of not having one for weight savings etc. but owners who want one "just in case" shouldn't be fleeced.
I'm also of the opinion that "better safe than sorry" applies to having a spare tire onboard. It has been 25 years since I've had to use a spare tire, but I was really glad I had one for that incident of a sidewall puncture.
If Acura is looking for opinions, my two cents would be that it should be a nominally priced dealer installed option. I understand the appeal of not having one for weight savings etc. but owners who want one "just in case" shouldn't be fleeced.
I hope i get a survey. I have had two side wall punctures since i got the RLX. After the first , involving a multi hour wait for a flat bed, I bought a spare. The second one was changed in less than thirty minutes by Acura Roadside service.
Acura should supply a spare as standard on all their vehicles !
I'm hardly a slacker when it comes to driving. I've got close to 23,000 miles on a car that I bought in October 2014.
And I'll be damned if I can understand where and how you guys are getting so many punctures.
:-(
I just wouldn't want to carry around the weight of a spare tyre if I don't need it, and I wouldn't want the cost to be added to MSRP necessarily, either.
Now, if cars were still being designed to incorporate a full sized fifth wheel and tyre, I might consider that as worthwhile. You're also extending the life of the other tyres by having a fifth wheel in rotation.
But, I'm old. I remember when this was a part of life.
No survey, but I purchased the spare tire kit for the RLX after bending a wheel on the RL. Potholes are evil.
I also purchased a set of winter tires and wheels for the RL, but without TPMS. The sensors were out of stock at the time. In the RL, without reading the sensors, the traction control cannot be disabled. I would image something similar with the RLX. I still have the snow set and will mount them up someday.
I hope i get a survey. I have had two side wall punctures since i got the RLX. After the first , involving a multi hour wait for a flat bed, I bought a spare. The second one was changed in less than thirty minutes by Acura Roadside service.
Acura should supply a spare as standard on all their vehicles !
Well, it should at least be an option. There are folks like my wife who won't change a tire to save their life. (In her case, she says that's what I'm there for. OK, dear. )
I did get the survey. I'm of the opinion that the spare tire should be standard. I have had unrepairable tire punctures at least once in 4 out of my last 5 cars. Even if it is AAA putting on the spare, it is still handy to have. I don't have the spare tire kit installed yet, but I will before too long.
I may have to just buck up and get the spare tire kit. I also think it should be standard. What if you blow a tire and you aren't in range of a cell phone tower? I think it's a fairly inexpensive insurance policy.
I was able to finagle the dealership in giving me the kit in the TLX I had.. no such luck in this one.
10-10-2015, 10:15 PM
OK, dear. 
)
