kenRDX2019

I heard A-spec trim doesn't equip with spare tire and tools. is that true? or is this extra need to be pay.

Wander

True, and yes it's extra cost. I think it's about a few hundred bucks for everything if you get the tire from a tire dealer and not from Acura. But the hoist, rim, and tools can be purchased from Acura at reasonable cost.

Here's a thread with more info.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-rdx-...dvance-974362/

EFR

Correct. While I hate the thought of buying the spare and tools, which I did, the thought of having some 'green slime' and a compressor is far worse. So now, I have both a spare and the slime/compressor kit. Hopefully I will never get to use either.

Burger Steak & Eggs

My A-spec has a spare and tools.

NooYawkuh

I have the donut spare, which I've already used. But if you shoot that goop into the tire, assuming it works and assuming the tire can be repaired, doesn't that crap have to be thoroughly cleaned out of the tire? I've heard from tire guys it's an immense pain in the ass and they hate the stuff.

AdoptDon’tShop

My dealer included it with the purchase of the car, but it did not come with it. I heard that they do in Canada, but not the U.S.

Wander

As long as it's a pain in their ass and not mine, what does it matter?

BS aside, there are different flavors of the stuff, but clearly it's the current trend, whether or not tire techs like it.

Having said that, you'll have to pry my spare out of my cold frostbitten fingers.

NooYawkuh

Or, you can sit in the care with the heat on waiting for AAA.

kenRDX2019

Can't believe only the A-spec trim level doesn't equip with spare tire when other trims does. Not most of us have AAA or towing under their insurance.

ssacuraho

Then you, good sir, are Canadian.

Starseer

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think SH-AWD comes with spares, while FWD has the pump+sealant.

Edit: found this in the press release kit:

Wander

True, but at that point, I might as well be sitting in a Jeep enjoying its superior infotainment system.

IIRC my last Jeep had a full-size spare. For those occasions when AAA response and/or travel to a shop might take days, not hours.

But don't worry, I do keep gloves in my car. And hat, boots, and emergency blanket in winter. I learned to drive in MN ( which explains a lot, actually ).

And if I were traveling into the backcountry with my RDX, I would probably pack tire goop and a pump in addition to the compact spare. And a tow strap, but that's another issue.

I believe only AWD equipped RDX's come equipped with compact spare ( except A-Spec ).

kenRDX2019

Yes all the AWD trim levels equipped with spare tire and tools except A-spec. Not sure why not a standard equipment when this is safety feature.

Ludepower

Acura must like canada.

Spare tire, power folding mirrors and heated steering wheel comes standard on the A-spec.

dukeh62

Great info here, thanks. Question: For those of you who have installed the spare on your A-Spec, is the tire inflated while mounted under the car? Or does it need to be inflated before driving?

shivercool

Yes, all trims in Canada come with spare tire. What they remove the spare tire from the A Spec in the US?

Wander

It is inflated. But it doesn't hurt to check the pressure once in a while.

I don't think they steal it in the middle of the night. They don't install it in the first place. Or the hoist and the tools.

But you never know. Maybe they steal the auto folding side mirrors too.

GW208

We've only had our car for a month now but I like to check the pressure now and then also. When I went to check the pressure though, the tire is mounted with the valve stem facing up. Does anyone know if there is a good reason it needs to be this way or can we flip the tire so the stem is down? I hate to think we have to lower the tire just to check the pressure.

Wander

The spare rim isn't symmetric because of the offset, and it's a bit easier to raise it like a dome rather than a bowl. This puts the valve up. But I don't think it will explode if you raise it the other way, it will just be a bit tricky to get it seated snugly so it doesn't rattle.

It doesn't hurt to lower the thing once in a while, because that is an opportunity to spray some lube on the cable so it doesn't seize from corrosion. Sucks to try to lower the spare and fail cuz the hoist is seized. Mostly an issue for us stubborn folk who sometimes hang onto cars a long time, and also a much bigger issue if the vehicle sees road salt than if it doesn't, but if you are actually going to the trouble of checking the thing, you might as well do it right.

GW208

[QUOTE=Wander;16508733]The spare rim isn't symmetric because of the offset, and it's a bit easier to raise it like a dome rather than a bowl. This puts the valve up. But I don't think it will explode if you raise it the other way, it will just be a bit tricky to get it seated snugly so it doesn't rattle.

Okay, that makes sense, thanks.

Farcus

If I want to install both the OEM hitch and the spare tire setup, would they both fit on my 20 RDX A-SPEC SHAWD?

This is my current cart on OEMAcuraParts.com:

1. Trailer Hitch Cover, A-Spec Product ID: 08L92-TJB-200C Quantity 1 $73.50
2. Trailer Hitch Trailer Hitch Product ID: 08L92-TJB-200 Quantity 1 $185.50
3. Trailer Hitch Harness (No Hfa) Product ID: 08L91-TJB-200 Quantity 1 $140.00
4. Temporary Kit Temporary Kit Product ID: 06421-TJB-A50 Quantity 1 $217.40
5. Cap, Spare Tire *NH900L* (Deep Black) Product ID: 83305-TJB-A00ZA Quantity 1 $1.16
6. Lid, Tool Box *NH900L* (Deep Black) Product ID: 83307-TJB-A00ZA Remove $7.06 Quantity 1 $7.06
7. Tire, Temporary (T155/90D17) (101M) (Kenda) Product ID: 42751-KEN-001 Remove $109.95 Quantity 1 $109.95

Subtotal Amount: $734.57

Bruno Rheaume

Correct, I just bought a 2020 A Spec in Quebec and it comes with the spare tire. Perhaps the gooe kit would freeze solid in -30F temperature ?

russianDude

Its totally nuts that in US AWD aspec does not come with spare tire and you have to buy it separately. Yet spare tire is standard in SH-AWD Base model !? Where is the logic here?

I had to install tire myself, its a messy install as you need to remove cargo plastic internals.

russianDude

maybe because people in canada know how to change a flat tire, in US most people call for help

Waetherman

All I know is that when a tire shredded on a rental last year, no amount of “green goo” would have fixed that. I had a donut that I rolled to the nearest rental station and traded for a replacement, but I was damn glad I had some kind of spare rather than sitting on the side of the road for hours with my wife and young child waiting for a tow. I will never buy a car without a spare of some sort, and shame on Acura for shorting some buyers that essential safety feature. Especially when it’s so easy to include.

russianDude

Dont forget that the stuff you spray inside to do temporary repair usually makes your tire unrepairable and it should be thrown away. An expensive proposition for something that could be repaired. Another reason not to use the spray can.

snovarev

I installed the spare tire last Friday on my A-spec and it was an easy 30 min job.

007Acura

I installed this myself too. Was a pretty easy straight forward process. Hardest part were the screws for the cargo hooks. I’m glad I ordered a #3 Phillips from amazon for $7 bc it would have been difficult without it.

russianDude

Those damn hook screws... Mine were crazy over-tight, I believe its a defect from factory, they dont need to be tightened that much at all. I stripped one of my screws out, cost me few hundred bucks to fix it professionally

Anyhow, I added my spare tire in the winter, and now for the first time I lowered it, I am glad I did, it had bunch of salt from winter hidden under the spare, so I washed under the tire, sprayed WD40 on metal above it and cleaned the spare rim.
I highly recommend cleaning under spare tire few times a year, especially after winter, otherwise it could rust, and this is also a good time to lube mechanism and check spare tire pressure.

rdxny

I just did the spare tire install in my Aspec, not hard... (I had a #3 Phillips). I'm wondering why they say to toss (and buy new ones) the tool cover, and the small plastic cover for the hole where you lower the tire. The original fits fine, they are just plastic covers. The kit doesn't come with the new ones.

russianDude

I thought that original tool box cover will not fit because of the newer toolbox, but I never tried, I just bought new one.

russianDude

the only difference is that cap has words “spare tire” 😀. Otherwise its identical

rdxny

well, I can remember where the tire release is If I start to forget, I'll put a piece of tape with "spare tire" on it
The tool kit cover fit fine... Thanks...

russianDude

I threw away the old tool box lid, the new one has a picture of a jack, so I am assuming the difference in the picture only.

russianDude

Its good that its cheap, otherwise its a wasteful purchase, you dont need it unless you have amnesia or give your car to your wife, which will call for help anyway

D-RDX

Thanks for posting the numbers and confirming the install. I can’t believe they didn’t include a spare on the a-spec. I (unluckily) seem to get at least 1 flat tire per car, so I assume this RDX will be no exception. I will be ordering the kit shortly from Curry Acura since they’re local.

For those who’ve installed, any pointers? Do instructions come with the kit? Thanks in advance.

russianDude

be careful not to strip screws that go into straps (4 of them). Mine were overtightened like hell, and they are soft and will strip easily.

D-RDX

Thanks! I have been doing some more searching and stumbled across a few more threads, as well as the Acura installation instructions. Looks pretty straight forward as long as I can make it through those super tight screws.