Rocket_man

But BMW puts run-flats on those cars that will at least keep you going, the RLX does not have run flats. You have to hope your fix-a-flat can get you going again, or call a tow truck and have the car brought to a tire shop (if one is open at that time), or park it somewhere and call a cab.

Over all the years I've owned cars I've only had one failure that left me stranded. That was nearly 20 years ago. If I count flats as another failure that could have left me stranded I'd probably add 3 or 4 to that count. But a flat has never left me stranded because I've always had a spare. This is simply a cost cutting measure by manufacturers. Now they are trying to convince you that a spare is an option that you need to pay additional for. I personally don't like this trend.

db22

All the designers of the RLX were told to save weight to get the MPG and power to weight ratio up. When someone suggested the "no spare" path the team had a winner. Then the bean counters looked at it and one of them suggested that we sell a spare as an option. The whole group concluded a win win situation and they are still patting each other on the back while you are walking along a desolate road trying to reach the nearest cell site.

Rocket_man

That's about right! And the marketing guys will tell you how much more storage room you have in the trunk.

db22

So it's Win Win Win!

I think that its to make room for the optional McLaren KERS system which adds 179 HP to the hybrid version.

gbriank

Yeah, but BMW uses run-flats. They have similar characteristics to a spare (50mph for 50-100miles). Therefore, no spare is needed. Downside? Report I just read suggested owners of RFTs replace their tires on average 6,000 miles (or more) earlier than a standard tire.

TSX69

So I have been thinking about getting the spare tire kit after 1 flat that took the tow truck an hour to come get, and a more recent flat tire scare.

Does anyone know how much it weighs? More specifically, will it lower my MPGs? I assume it will assist with weight distribution but that is something that has never bothered me before.

$500 just seems like an awful lot for a spare. Would getting run flats when time for new tires be a better option?

Also, does anyone know whatever happened to Collin?

Thanks!

wilspainar

I bought a spare kit on ebay from a '16 Honda Odyssey. Cost me $150. It fit in my wheel well ok. Just an option you may want.

pgeorg

This is the part number for the spare tire kit, that includes everything you need except of the spare tire: 06421-TY2-A13ZA $117

06421-TY2-A13ZA | Acura SPARE TIRE WHEEL KIT - Bernardi Parts

The part for the spare tire is: 42751-BRI-093 $191

42751-BRI-093 | Honda TIRE SPARE 57MD7TEMP - Bernardi Parts

Much cheaper......Maybe your dearer's parts department can match those prices.

HTH

AP8ESQ

I have the spare kit in my SH. I don't know what it weighs but it is negligible in comparison to the weight of the car itself. If I had to guess I would say 60 pounds total (with insert, jack, etc.). My mpg are basically dead on to epa with summer blend (about 29.5 combined) and last tank was 27.5 mpg (still on winter blend) fuel.

i havent used the spare butlike some others just like knowing it's there instead of the box and fix a flat...

TampaRLX-SH

Ditto. I have the spare tire kit as well as being a 6'3'' bruiser. My mileage is spot on with the EPA ratings.

neuronbob

It's more than just the spare. It's also a new foam insert, jack, and other tools. I found it worth the money for peace of mind and am thankful that Acura offers it as an option.

No appreciable change in my (not good compared to others here) fuel economy.

I posted a whole install thread with part numbers here:

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...t-30-a-928860/

Just spend the money. You won't be sorry.

Colin hasn't posted here as much. Wish he would!

Scott in AZ

There's no question in my mind that a spare tire/wheel is better than not having one, but the need for a spare is a lot less than it used to be.

With tire pressure monitoring, mobile phones, GPS, Uber, and higher quality tire manufactuing; all introduced in the last few decades, the trade-off in cost, space, and weight is a different equation than it was in my 1988 VW Jetta. Plus, I'm (and we're all) a little wiser than 1988, and can afford to maintain my car more conservatively. I start getting twitchy to replace tires at about 3/8inch of treadlife remaining!

I guess it boils down to the type of driving you do. If mostly less than an hour from home, in accessible areas, then the sealant/compressor setup is adequate. If you spend a lot of time on the road, for example in the barren desert between PHX and Palm Springs like I do, then a spare makes a lot more sense. I'll probably get a spare kit for mine, but I don't consider it an urgent priority.

(Hope I didn't just jinx myself!!!!!)

fsmith

Two additional points about the spare tire kit, without which I never leave home:

1. The real issue, IMHO, about the spare kit, is damage to the sidewall of a tire. If you damage the tread, the sealant and pump that comes with the car, work great. If you sustain damage to the sidewall, as can happen all too frequently from potholes here in the great Notheast, you will be dead stopped and waiting for a flatbed, not even a tow. If you are traveling, you may not even get to your destination.

2. The spare tire kit also includes a safety bar that is installed to keep the tire from slamming into the battery pack.

neuronbob

Fsmith has both points correct. The second point is one issue I noted in my install thread linked above with pictures.

TSX69

Decided to cancel my appointment. $500 still just seems like a lot. Plus, I never drive far and am on main roads & highways all the time so I do not think that safety is an issue.

Granted, that 1 hour wait for the flatbed was annoying. However, I tried changing a tire once before and it was not pretty.

I think that I will skip it for now but for my next car I will add it at purchase. I probably will not mind paying for it as much when it is lumped in with the total cost ...

TampaRLX-SH

Of course everyone decides for themselves and have different priorities. But to add another perspective: If you contact roadside assistance and need a flatbed, the response time is likely to be longer than calling for a road ranger to change your tire for the spare. You need not change the spare yourself with roadside assistance, but you are likely to get a response faster from the dispatcher for mounting the spare.