Never buy Good Year tires
#31
Lexus Fanatic
it's not only about cost - with small cars consumers want all the space they can get and most are totally willing to trade the compromise of the donut or runflats.
#32
Lexus Fanatic
I don't see what you are getting at....it makes no difference. A full-sized spare is the same as simply having five regular tires on a vehicle instead of four. That means that auto manufacturers simply have to order 20% more regular tires (and produce 20% more regular wheels) for their production run. Just simple math. In fact, tire manufacturers would probably be eager to do so, as their production levels would increase.
That I also don't agree with. The manufacturers use that as an excuse, but, given the lower-profile nature of today's tires, which counteracts the larger wheel-diameters, it would not take up that much more space to use real spares. And when you are talking about even the average economy car, today, weighing upwards of 3000 lbs. or more, I also don't see where a few extra pounds in the trunk makes that much difference. I fully understand the arguments that have been made for the elimination of real spares.....I simply don't buy them.
You don't actually understand the arguments at all or you would have understood that.
IMO (and from several years' experience with my Subaru Outback)...a good AWD system and decent all-season tires will usually eliminate the need for winter tires, though, of course, it doesnt' hurt to have them.
Due to several factors, it's not as much of a space-compromise as a lot of people think.
#33
Lexus Fanatic
You don't understand economies of scale. Doing that would be an ENORMOUS cost to the manufacturer. Lets say including a full sized spare vs a doughnut spare costs the manufacturer $150 per car, which is low, Multiply that by the vast number of these cars that are built and sold. Its a HUGE cost.
You don't actually understand the arguments at all or you would have understood that.
Totally wrong. AWD does nothing to improve braking or steering traction, which is the benefit of winter tires. Very dangerous thinking.
Then you should be a car engineer. Sounds like they desperately need you
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-15-18 at 03:20 PM.
#34
Lexus Test Driver
I would avoid keeping a full-size spare in your trunk. It will add extra weight, which will take a hit on your longterm mpg's. It will also not be secure, and can fly around in a sudden stop or car accident. And it will also smell up your trunk if it's a new tire and not below the donut storage area. A compact car is not really made to haul around a full-size spare.
You can definitely drive on the highway with a donut. Just don't do mega speeds.
Most people do not change their own flats. I wouldn't either if out on the road, as the dirty hands would get on the steering wheel, door handle, and anything else that's touched- not good for any car.
Michelins are consistently excellent tires. Cost a little more, but worth it.
Overall, I think you are better off with the temp spare and 4 regular tires and rims that always match. If you get a flat, just use the temp spare until your next day off when you can get the damaged one fixed or replaced.
BTW, every single flat tire I've ever gotten was due to a nail or screw. And every single one of them was pluggable, negating the need for a new tire. You just can't drive on the low or flat tire, or it will be destroyed.
You can definitely drive on the highway with a donut. Just don't do mega speeds.
Most people do not change their own flats. I wouldn't either if out on the road, as the dirty hands would get on the steering wheel, door handle, and anything else that's touched- not good for any car.
Michelins are consistently excellent tires. Cost a little more, but worth it.
Overall, I think you are better off with the temp spare and 4 regular tires and rims that always match. If you get a flat, just use the temp spare until your next day off when you can get the damaged one fixed or replaced.
BTW, every single flat tire I've ever gotten was due to a nail or screw. And every single one of them was pluggable, negating the need for a new tire. You just can't drive on the low or flat tire, or it will be destroyed.
#35
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"The age of run flats" is the key lol, I have no spare and no run flats in the Pacifica.
Its the kind of thing that isn't an issue until its an issue. If I'm out on a country highway with my family and young kids and I have a catastrophic tire failure that can't be fixed with the supplied fix a flat and inflator...thats a problem...if my wife is out with the kids and has the same thing happen someplace...thats a problem...what does even AAA do if they can get to you? They don't carry spare tires. The van would have to be towed somewhere to get a new tire, it runs 20" wheels, how likely is a gas station in southern WV going to be to have a tire that size in stock? There aren't even many options on TireRack...what am I going to do with two 3 year olds while I wait for a tire in the middle of nowhere?!?
"You don't miss spares at all", until you need one then I promise you that you will lol
Its the kind of thing that isn't an issue until its an issue. If I'm out on a country highway with my family and young kids and I have a catastrophic tire failure that can't be fixed with the supplied fix a flat and inflator...thats a problem...if my wife is out with the kids and has the same thing happen someplace...thats a problem...what does even AAA do if they can get to you? They don't carry spare tires. The van would have to be towed somewhere to get a new tire, it runs 20" wheels, how likely is a gas station in southern WV going to be to have a tire that size in stock? There aren't even many options on TireRack...what am I going to do with two 3 year olds while I wait for a tire in the middle of nowhere?!?
"You don't miss spares at all", until you need one then I promise you that you will lol
Good thing I never go rural... lol
#36
Lexus Fanatic
"The age of run flats" is the key lol, I have no spare and no run flats in the Pacifica.
Its the kind of thing that isn't an issue until its an issue. If I'm out on a country highway with my family and young kids and I have a catastrophic tire failure that can't be fixed with the supplied fix a flat and inflator...thats a problem...if my wife is out with the kids and has the same thing happen someplace...thats a problem...what does even AAA do if they can get to you? They don't carry spare tires. The van would have to be towed somewhere to get a new tire, it runs 20" wheels, how likely is a gas station in southern WV going to be to have a tire that size in stock? There aren't even many options on TireRack...what am I going to do with two 3 year olds while I wait for a tire in the middle of nowhere?!?
"You don't miss spares at all", until you need one then I promise you that you will lol
Its the kind of thing that isn't an issue until its an issue. If I'm out on a country highway with my family and young kids and I have a catastrophic tire failure that can't be fixed with the supplied fix a flat and inflator...thats a problem...if my wife is out with the kids and has the same thing happen someplace...thats a problem...what does even AAA do if they can get to you? They don't carry spare tires. The van would have to be towed somewhere to get a new tire, it runs 20" wheels, how likely is a gas station in southern WV going to be to have a tire that size in stock? There aren't even many options on TireRack...what am I going to do with two 3 year olds while I wait for a tire in the middle of nowhere?!?
"You don't miss spares at all", until you need one then I promise you that you will lol
It is indeed an issue. I had a flat with my Verano a couple of years ago, right in the middle of the big Fairfax Corner parking lot (you probably know where it is...a few miles southeast of Chantilly where you bought your Pacifica). I was just getting ready to park and go eat, when the low-pressure-emergency light came on for 10 PSI in the left rear tire...turns out I had picked up a BIG piece of jagged metal, which ruined the tire....too big a gash to be patched. So, even with the temperature near freezing with a wind, I quickly found a parking space, got out the jacking tools, put on the temporary full-size spare, and checked the required 60 PSI with the portable air-compressor I always carry with me. Yes, the car still had the Buick Roadside Assistance in effect (which is good for 4/50), but I didn't feel like waiting around for the service-truck (or getting towed), and it gave me a chance to bring back some of my old tire-changing skills. Then, being hungry, I went inside to eat. I made it home OK....and got a brand new tire the next morning.
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-15-18 at 05:16 PM.
#37
Lexus Fanatic
Oh yeah I can totally see your point and agree its one of those situations when you just wish you had a spare. This is my first car with run flats, but I wonder if you can really get a blowout anymore with them. How likely is the tire going to rip apart? Im not being facetious here, its a legitimate question
Good thing I never go rural... lol
Good thing I never go rural... lol
I agree with you about needing a spare, not that every car should have a full sized spare.
#38
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by SW17LS
I agree with you about needing a spare, not that every car should have a full sized spare.
#39
Lexus Champion
Make sure the hole in the flat tire is patched from the inside, not "plugged" from the outside of the tire. Plugs fail.
#40
Lexus Fanatic
I always remember that Sopranos where AJ says call the auto club, and Tony says in our family, we change our own tires.
I do believe knowing how to change one's own tires is a requisite to driving, however, it seems that it's no longer legal in many places. My colleague said he began to change his tire on the shoulder of the turnpike and a trooper told him to stop what he's doing and get back in his car. This is for his safety.
Anyhow I contemplated that spare tire in the trunk thing but quickly abandoned it, when I switched the 335i from the RE050A runflats, to Pilot Super Sport non runflats. Didnt Toyota once put runflats on the Sienna, no spare, then non runflats, no spare? And they stated the % of those who use a jack and spare today is non-existent.
I've paid notice, it seems like everybody and his mother uses the HFT 3 ton steel low pro jack (even those tire shops in W Phila). What a good business for HFT, I love mine. And I did get that Dewalt 20V XR impact wrench too...
I do believe knowing how to change one's own tires is a requisite to driving, however, it seems that it's no longer legal in many places. My colleague said he began to change his tire on the shoulder of the turnpike and a trooper told him to stop what he's doing and get back in his car. This is for his safety.
Anyhow I contemplated that spare tire in the trunk thing but quickly abandoned it, when I switched the 335i from the RE050A runflats, to Pilot Super Sport non runflats. Didnt Toyota once put runflats on the Sienna, no spare, then non runflats, no spare? And they stated the % of those who use a jack and spare today is non-existent.
I've paid notice, it seems like everybody and his mother uses the HFT 3 ton steel low pro jack (even those tire shops in W Phila). What a good business for HFT, I love mine. And I did get that Dewalt 20V XR impact wrench too...
#41
Lexus Fanatic
That's what they are (now) saying, but I'm not convinced. I've had literally dozens of plugs, in a number of different kinds of tires and different tire-brands, driven hundreds of thousands of miles on them, and I have never had one fail. Of course, I've never had a patch or plug done on the part of the sidewall above the tread pattern...that is risky, and, yes, can fail....in that case, you need a new tire. Most shops won't patch the sidewall area (due to flex) and tires won't pass a state safety inspection that way. But I'm not convinced that patches are as necessary as often as they are now saying....it adds time and labor, and allows the shop to charge more for a simple tire repair. It can also mess up the balance/runout if the shop doesn't keep the balance machines calibrated correctly (not all of them do)....after a dismount and inside patch, the tires have to be re-balanced, and the tire-pressure sensors re-installed correctly, or the tire PSI indicators won't work. Given a choice, where feasible (and, of course, sometimes inside patches are actually needed), I'll take a simple plug any day.
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-18-18 at 10:42 AM.
#42
Lexus Fanatic
That's what they are (now) saying, but I'm not convinced. I've had literally dozens of plugs, in a number of different kinds of tires and different tire-brands, driven hundreds of thousands of miles on them, and I have never had one fail. Of course, I've never had a patch or plug done on the part of the sidewall above the tread pattern...that is risky, and, yes, can fail....in that case, you need a new tire. Most shops won't patch the sidewall area (due to flex) and tires won't pass a state safety inspection that way. But I'm not convinced that patches are as necessary as often as they are now saying....it adds time and labor, and allows the shop to charge more for a simple tire repair. It can also mess up the balance/runout if the shop doesn't keep the balance machines calibrated correctly (not all of them do)....after a dismount and inside patch, the tires have to be re-balanced, and the tire-pressure sensors re-installed correctly, or the tire PSI indicators won't work. Given a choice, where feasible (and, of course, sometimes inside patches are actually needed), I'll take a simple plug any day.
I've even plugged tires in the no zone, not the sidewall but the edge of the tread. What I've found is this doesn't work on a front tire, it will leak. But it may be just fine on a rear. Also, even on the rear, it may need to be redone when it's close to the edge. That is zero help on vehicles with a staggered setup like my BMW. I will say I bet the indie got a laugh when they mounted my new Michelins on the BMW. They would have seen all the plugs when they tossed the tires.
I basically agree with what you are saying and plugs. To me, it's like transmission fluid. I never really had a car with an automatic transmission, so like many online, I found the ChrisFix to be the best source of info I could find on the do I change it, do I flush it, do I drain and fill, is it burnt, is it dirty, blah blah blah. There is no substitute than to touch something with your bare skin to be able to appreciate it. I feel the same way about plugging tires. Do you build your shed to withstand a category 3 hurricane in MD? Our friend did and the bro in law said it was really overkill. Is patching better? You bet. Do plugs routinely fail? Nope. If it's a road hazard warranty covering? You bet I want a patch. If I am DIY? You bet I use a plug. Right this instant, none of our cars have a plug. But over the last 20 years? They have had many. my .02
#44
Lexus Fanatic
#45
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
So Good Year Riddance to the Good Year (Goodyear lol) Eagle RS-A tires and hello to my new Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires. Was gonna get them installed at Costco (where we did our Matrix tires) but the next service appointment was 2 weeks away. Sadly I missed the Michelin $70 rebate as that ended 8 days prior. Oh well. I ended up getting them done late in the evening at the Toyota dealer where I get my cars serviced, they actually price match tires but they were actually cheaper than Costco or Canadian Tire.
Now all four of our vehicles are riding on Michelin tires ❤️ Seems like MXV4 are highly rated and the new MXM4 tires are also great but they were an extra $45 per tire.
Lets knock on wood that I have no more flat tires.
Now all four of our vehicles are riding on Michelin tires ❤️ Seems like MXV4 are highly rated and the new MXM4 tires are also great but they were an extra $45 per tire.
Lets knock on wood that I have no more flat tires.