Elimination of the Spare Tire
09-14-12, 10:19 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Elimination of the Spare Tire
Just wondering how you guys feel about the current trend to substitute a "Mobility Kit" for a spare tire, even a mini spare. I realize manufacturers like BMW and other makers of higher priced vehicles install run-flat tires, which, in a way, is a valid excuse for no spare.
This came to mind when going with a buddy who is looking for an inexpensive hatchback or CUV that gets good fuel economy. I mentioned the Ford C-Max to him because it is small, looks good, has many standard features and gets 47/47 mpgs. In our region, none has been shipped to dealers yet, but at least on paper and with good reviews, he was very excited about the prospect of test driving one and ultimately buying one. He picked up a brochure and looking at the page with specs, he noticed there is a "Mobility Kit" in lieu of a spare. The kit includes an air compressor and can of tire sealer.
He asked for my thoughts. I suggested I check with Ford Customer Relations to ask if a spare, even a mini spare could be purchased and stored under the panel in the rear of the car. I was told "No, that's where the batteries are located." I suggested to the Ford CR rep that Ford has a major winner in the C-Max, but I don't think potential customers will be willing to chance getting a blowout or a situation where some debris in the road cuts the tire and there is no spare and the "Mobility Kit" cannot repair the tire.
Manufacturers seem to be going to great lengths to reduce weight for better EPA fuel economy numbers. Elimination of the spare tire seems to be a real safety hazard IMO.
This came to mind when going with a buddy who is looking for an inexpensive hatchback or CUV that gets good fuel economy. I mentioned the Ford C-Max to him because it is small, looks good, has many standard features and gets 47/47 mpgs. In our region, none has been shipped to dealers yet, but at least on paper and with good reviews, he was very excited about the prospect of test driving one and ultimately buying one. He picked up a brochure and looking at the page with specs, he noticed there is a "Mobility Kit" in lieu of a spare. The kit includes an air compressor and can of tire sealer.
He asked for my thoughts. I suggested I check with Ford Customer Relations to ask if a spare, even a mini spare could be purchased and stored under the panel in the rear of the car. I was told "No, that's where the batteries are located." I suggested to the Ford CR rep that Ford has a major winner in the C-Max, but I don't think potential customers will be willing to chance getting a blowout or a situation where some debris in the road cuts the tire and there is no spare and the "Mobility Kit" cannot repair the tire.
Manufacturers seem to be going to great lengths to reduce weight for better EPA fuel economy numbers. Elimination of the spare tire seems to be a real safety hazard IMO.
09-14-12, 10:28 AM
#2
run-flats are not a valid excuse IMO. The tires are super uncomfortable, I would rather have a spare donut in my trunk.
I understand carmakers desire to make their cars lighter, but I would rather have a little extra weight but have a spare donut. Besides, whenever the car will be track, im pretty sure all the spares will be removed from the car.
I understand carmakers desire to make their cars lighter, but I would rather have a little extra weight but have a spare donut. Besides, whenever the car will be track, im pretty sure all the spares will be removed from the car.
09-14-12, 10:31 AM
#3
I picked up a '13 Elantra sedan for my son recently and it has a 'mobility kit'.A friggen Elantra!I didn't feel comfortable with that so I bought a oem compact spare kit complete with tire mounted for $225 on Ebay.
Ridiculous how a economy car can come without a spare.
However,Canadian Elantra's have a spare tire.
I can see if the vehicle has run flats,maybe then a mobility kit is ok,maybe.
My ES had a full size spare and matching alloy wheel.Seems that's thing of the past.
Ridiculous how a economy car can come without a spare.
However,Canadian Elantra's have a spare tire.
I can see if the vehicle has run flats,maybe then a mobility kit is ok,maybe.
My ES had a full size spare and matching alloy wheel.Seems that's thing of the past.
09-14-12, 10:49 AM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Same, BTW, with the loss of protective body-side mouldings and the substitution of hood prop-rods for hold-up springs/struts. Those of you who follow my auto reviews are no doubt familiar with my comments in them on those issues.
Like most new cars, my Verano didn't come from the factory with side-mouldings, either.....so I got aftermarket ones on a roll, carefully measured and cut them, and stuck them on myself with the peel-off/stick-on adhesive. I will not own a car without them...period.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-14-12 at 10:54 AM.
09-14-12, 03:14 PM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
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09-14-12, 03:18 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
Yes, cars are in fact lighter without a traditonal spare tire/wheel (somewhat less-so with the temporary spares/donuts), and it (sometimes) adds to available trunk-space. But the true reason for eliminating them is obvious.......................
Same, BTW, with the loss of protective body-side mouldings and the substitution of hood prop-rods for hold-up springs/struts. Those of you who follow my auto reviews are no doubt familiar with my comments in them on those issues.
Like most new cars, my Verano didn't come from the factory with side-mouldings, either.....so I got aftermarket ones on a roll, carefully measured and cut them, and stuck them on myself with the peel-off/stick-on adhesive. I will not own a car without them...period.
Same, BTW, with the loss of protective body-side mouldings and the substitution of hood prop-rods for hold-up springs/struts. Those of you who follow my auto reviews are no doubt familiar with my comments in them on those issues.
Like most new cars, my Verano didn't come from the factory with side-mouldings, either.....so I got aftermarket ones on a roll, carefully measured and cut them, and stuck them on myself with the peel-off/stick-on adhesive. I will not own a car without them...period.
09-14-12, 04:19 PM
#9
Advanced
Thread Starter
But then you lose a lot of cargo capacity and where do you buy a jack that is guaranteed to work on that vehicle, unless you buy a hydraulic jack and lose the other half of the cargo space.
09-14-12, 05:04 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
09-14-12, 05:07 PM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
09-14-12, 05:19 PM
#15
I have run flats on my car, and there is not even a day goes by that I don't think about replacing it with regular tires since they ride very very bad! But since I can't find a spare tire solution with my car, I am just debating either get stuck with the stupid tires, or just take my chance and truely enjoy the better ride/handling a regular tire can provide.