View Poll Results: What do you carry in your vehicle?
Full-size spare
4
20.00%
Temporary (doughnut) spare
10
50.00%
Sealant kit
3
15.00%
Nothing at all
3
15.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll
To spare, or not to spare? That is the question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 13,508
Likes: 4,963
From: DMV
To spare, or not to spare? That is the question
Made me curious. How many folks here carry a spare (full-size or doughnut), and how many folks go without one?
[...]
The elimination of the spare by automakers is not entirely an abandonment of good sense or a severe example of cost-cutting; in fact, it can benefit drivers. The primary goal is weight reduction, a crucial factor in meeting fuel economy standards.
Removing a substantial amount of rubber and steel — up to 40 pounds, according to industry experts — along with a jack and a lug wrench is a big win for engineers who are conditioned to shave ounces wherever possible. But as appealing as it may be to skip the doughnut and lose a little weight, the disappearing spare can cause headaches: AAA said that last year it had answered roadside assistance calls from 450,000 members whose cars did not have spares — a situation that can mean a trip to the repair shop on a flatbed.
[...]
Cars Lose the Spare Tire for a Leaner Ride, but It Could Cost You
[...]
The elimination of the spare by automakers is not entirely an abandonment of good sense or a severe example of cost-cutting; in fact, it can benefit drivers. The primary goal is weight reduction, a crucial factor in meeting fuel economy standards.
Removing a substantial amount of rubber and steel — up to 40 pounds, according to industry experts — along with a jack and a lug wrench is a big win for engineers who are conditioned to shave ounces wherever possible. But as appealing as it may be to skip the doughnut and lose a little weight, the disappearing spare can cause headaches: AAA said that last year it had answered roadside assistance calls from 450,000 members whose cars did not have spares — a situation that can mean a trip to the repair shop on a flatbed.
[...]
Ex-OEM King
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 17,878
Likes: 7,024
From: Minnesnowta
S2000 - donut spare
Jeep - full size spare
Accord - donut spare
I don't think the Accord or the S2000 really need to carry a spare at all times though, I'll probably take the spare out of the S2000 next year. With my luck, I'll have a flat in no time. We live in a metro area and have AAA. If something does come up, a tow is free and easy to get. The Jeep has a full size spare for off road use. Can't be stuck out there with a donut. I could probably ditch that for a daily use too.
Jeep - full size spare
Accord - donut spare
I don't think the Accord or the S2000 really need to carry a spare at all times though, I'll probably take the spare out of the S2000 next year. With my luck, I'll have a flat in no time. We live in a metro area and have AAA. If something does come up, a tow is free and easy to get. The Jeep has a full size spare for off road use. Can't be stuck out there with a donut. I could probably ditch that for a daily use too.
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From: Phoenix, AZ
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
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Tried the AAA thing when I lost a sidewall in a pot hole because repair kit. The guy that came with a hook said I needed a flatbed. Took 4 hours to get it home (3 miles), then had to rent a car until replacement came (4 days).
I now have a donut.
I now have a donut.
Registered but harmless
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,889
Likes: 1,164
From: Los Angeles, CA
The jack and lug wrench are currently missing in our lightest car, so I'd have to call AAA to change a flat tire on that car. I was thinking of dumping the spare and just carrying a can of Fix-a-Flat.
Can of Fix-A-Flat and a little air compressor. 4 lbs. instead of 35 lbs. that the donut/jack kit weights. I've only had a handful of flats and all of them have been due to a slow leak from a nail or something, which I've been able to inflate with the pump then get to a tire shop.
The exception is during longer trips. If I'm taking a trip out of town or any road trip more than 50 miles I'll pack the donut back in. But that's maybe once every 2 months or so.
The exception is during longer trips. If I'm taking a trip out of town or any road trip more than 50 miles I'll pack the donut back in. But that's maybe once every 2 months or so.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Likes: 3,489
BRZ came with a donut. I don't want to go without one.
I refuse to go with run flat tires. Awful idea all around. The inflator kit with sealant is just as bad, if you get a sidewall puncture you're still stuck.
I refuse to go with run flat tires. Awful idea all around. The inflator kit with sealant is just as bad, if you get a sidewall puncture you're still stuck.
[QUOTE=Costco;16131941I refuse to go with run flat tires. Awful idea all around. The inflator kit with sealant is just as bad, if you get a sidewall puncture you're still stuck.[/QUOTE]
Werd. Run flat tires are heavier than regular tires as well, which cancels out any weight savings. Possibly even worse than a spare since a spare is static weight and heavy run-flats are rotating mass.
As far as the inflator kit goes - you're totally correct on the sidewall puncture. It's a risk I'm willing to take however. Sidewall damage typically happens because of heat from under inflation or slipping a tire off an uneven or unfinished road and damaging it on the asphalt/rocks/etc. Both of those are avoidable. Not that they can't happen, but it's much less common than a nail or glass.
Werd. Run flat tires are heavier than regular tires as well, which cancels out any weight savings. Possibly even worse than a spare since a spare is static weight and heavy run-flats are rotating mass.
As far as the inflator kit goes - you're totally correct on the sidewall puncture. It's a risk I'm willing to take however. Sidewall damage typically happens because of heat from under inflation or slipping a tire off an uneven or unfinished road and damaging it on the asphalt/rocks/etc. Both of those are avoidable. Not that they can't happen, but it's much less common than a nail or glass.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
Werd. Run flat tires are heavier than regular tires as well, which cancels out any weight savings. Possibly even worse than a spare since a spare is static weight and heavy run-flats are rotating mass.
As far as the inflator kit goes - you're totally correct on the sidewall puncture. It's a risk I'm willing to take however. Sidewall damage typically happens because of heat from under inflation or slipping a tire off an uneven or unfinished road and damaging it on the asphalt/rocks/etc. Both of those are avoidable. Not that they can't happen, but it's much less common than a nail or glass.
As far as the inflator kit goes - you're totally correct on the sidewall puncture. It's a risk I'm willing to take however. Sidewall damage typically happens because of heat from under inflation or slipping a tire off an uneven or unfinished road and damaging it on the asphalt/rocks/etc. Both of those are avoidable. Not that they can't happen, but it's much less common than a nail or glass.
Hopefully you'll never need it. But if you do, your tire guy will hate you
registered pw
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,859
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From: south central pa
i avoid cars with these.
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,120
Likes: 4,430
From: Mooresville, NC
I carry a plug kit in my cars. I have plugged two different tires. One of them I used for another 5000 miles with the plug in it with no leak. Small spray bottle of soapy water in the kit to find the leak. Pair of needle nose pliers to remove anything stuck in the tire. Lighter to mealt the top of the plug once it is in.
Ex-OEM King
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 17,878
Likes: 7,024
From: Minnesnowta
I carry a plug kit in my cars. I have plugged two different tires. One of them I used for another 5000 miles with the plug in it with no leak. Small spray bottle of soapy water in the kit to find the leak. Pair of needle nose pliers to remove anything stuck in the tire. Lighter to mealt the top of the plug once it is in.
I should get one for the other cars and ditch the spare entirely. Especially for around town use.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 23,362
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From: Los Angeles
CTSV,TL, Audi Q7 & A5SB
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 600
From: NYC / LI
CTS-V - OEM sealant canister / inflator, plug kit, mini compressor.
Q7 - Runflats, no option for spare or would have purchased it and replaced runflats. It rides surprisingly smooth for having runflats, but I know it would ride so much better if I could put regular tires on it.
TL- spare
Q50S - came with OEM runflats and the option for factory spare and jack kit. So my son replaced the runflats with Michelin A/S 3+ and what a difference they made..
Q7 - Runflats, no option for spare or would have purchased it and replaced runflats. It rides surprisingly smooth for having runflats, but I know it would ride so much better if I could put regular tires on it.
TL- spare
Q50S - came with OEM runflats and the option for factory spare and jack kit. So my son replaced the runflats with Michelin A/S 3+ and what a difference they made..
Banned
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,905
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From: MTL, Canada
The only thing that makes me tolerate now having a spare is having live readout pressure. I didn't have that 'luxury' with my Bimmer and it made all the difference in the world to be notified in advance. Being stranded on an urban highway with nowhere to go is not only annoying - it is dangerous. Run-flats have their merits and clearly evolved since 2006 or so.