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Is it really necessary to carry a spare tire?!?

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Old 04-30-2008 | 02:27 PM
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Is it really necessary to carry a spare tire?!?

Since gas price is skyrocketing like there is no tomorrow these days..

has anybody here taken out their spare tire to reduce some weight?


That spare tire with steel rim seems really heavy.. but i am not sure how much gas (in %) can I save by not carrying a tire around

is there any mathematicians here that can chime in?!??!
 
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Old 04-30-2008 | 02:33 PM
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come on! buy a yaris
 
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Old 04-30-2008 | 02:35 PM
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Theoretically you can save money on gas due to less weight, but how much you save better be enough to offset the cost of having your car towed in the event you get a flat or bent rim.
 
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Old 04-30-2008 | 02:37 PM
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I havent carried mine around in three years...because there is a sub / amp there now...

but, If i would leave to travel further than anyone family member is willing to drive, I would put it back in...

4 years roadside assistance...i plan to use it at least once!
 
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Old 04-30-2008 | 02:44 PM
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well. in my case.. i have CAA roadside assistance.. so free towing for me in case of emergency..
and plus i take TTC to work everyday .... my car is more like my weekend toy for fun...

so here i am just wondering if it is really worth the effort to take out my spare tire...

i too realize that it won't save me a lot of gas.. i'd be better off just simply go easy on the pedal...

i jus wanna see if anybody has ever done this before...
 
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Old 04-30-2008 | 03:14 PM
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I know chances are you will not need it, BUT, I would rather put the donut on and limp home rather than have some yahoo tow it or working on it, or worse yet have to leave your ride in a less than desirable place while you are off getting the flat fixed.
If you are racing it on a track , thats a different story, save all the weight you can.
 

Last edited by GEE35FX; 04-30-2008 at 03:21 PM.
  #7  
Old 04-30-2008 | 03:48 PM
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^ +1.

dumb thread. keep the spare. reducing ~30-50lbs (roughly 1% of total weight) will not suddenly turn the G into a gas-mizer. the spare could save your butt one day though...

how often do you have rear passengers? if not often, take out the rear seats.
 
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Old 04-30-2008 | 03:50 PM
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I like donuts

How much gas can you really save by removing the donut?? Not much & ain't worth the trouble. Best way to save gas is to lighten up your right foot...which is pretty hard with the G
 
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Old 04-30-2008 | 05:53 PM
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If this is the case, than why even bother with taking the spare tire out? How much gas will you really use if you drive the G only on the weekend?



Originally Posted by Smartidiot
well. in my case.. i have CAA roadside assistance.. so free towing for me in case of emergency..
and plus i take TTC to work everyday .... my car is more like my weekend toy for fun...

so here i am just wondering if it is really worth the effort to take out my spare tire...

i too realize that it won't save me a lot of gas.. i'd be better off just simply go easy on the pedal...

i jus wanna see if anybody has ever done this before...
 
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Old 04-30-2008 | 06:06 PM
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I don't have a spare.

I do carry a portable air pump and a puncture repair kit.
 
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Old 04-30-2008 | 06:40 PM
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Lol... what happens when the spare gets a flat??
 
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Old 04-30-2008 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Dakkerz
Theoretically you can save money on gas due to less weight, but how much you save better be enough to offset the cost of having your car towed in the event you get a flat or bent rim.
+1.....Your saving will be minimal but the inconveneince of a flat tire immense.
Keep it in the trunk.

C.
 
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Old 04-30-2008 | 08:15 PM
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To Carry or Not....?

My concern is this, I'm out in the middle of nowhere and have a flat with zero
cell signal....It could be a long walk....Ouch! Yea, I have AAA but without
a spare and cell signal what good is it? I'll keep mine in the trunk, thanks
 
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Old 04-30-2008 | 09:22 PM
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Originally Posted by canucklehead
how often do you have rear passengers? if not often, take out the rear seats.

LOL ...... only drive with 1/3 tank
 
  #15  
Old 04-30-2008 | 09:35 PM
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What about that compressed spray tire sealant stuff in a can? IIRC some of the BMW's (Z4?) came with a can of that stuff instead of a spare. I was thinking light weight battery @ 15lbs, lose the spare and replace with a can of that stuff and change out the 04 sedan mid-pipe for 05-06 mid-pipe should save 100+ lbs of weight.
 


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