Spare Tire

PopinJohn · Aug 1, 2013

Story on news yesterday was lady whose new car recently
purchased had a tire failure one night. She called AAA to
help, when the wrecker arrived, the driver was going to install
the spare tire. So far, so good.
Opened the compartment and found a small tire patch kit
instead of even a donut tire. Brand new car.
Wound up calling for a roll-back wrecker to haul the car to a
repair shop.
When confronted, dealer said most new cars no longer had a
spare to help meet EPA gas mileage quotas.

retired farmer · Aug 1, 2013

Them people in Washington D.C. get dumber every day.

old · Aug 1, 2013

Yep and they say technology is getting better. Back in the 60s they had cars that got 30 plus MPG but now that they have to have all that smog stuff etc your lucky to get 25mpg. I own 2 older cars that get around 35-42mpg and are a good 20 plus years old. Oh well sooner or later it will come back and kick some one in the back sides

Chris(WA) · Aug 1, 2013

What cars got 30 plus MPG in the 1960's?

ShadetreeRet · Aug 1, 2013

They will be serving ice cream you-know-where before I will drive without a spare. That being said I will add this, the majority of drivers today wouldn't know how to change a tire if they did have a flat. And another thing, did you know that many vehicles today, especially SUVs have different size tires on front and back?

old · Aug 1, 2013

Renault Dalphine and the R8 and R10 for 3. The Simpca also got around that Shoot even the old Ford Falcon with the 6 cylinder got around 30 plus and I could list many many more and yes many where small but hey they got you back and forth to work etc.

old · Aug 1, 2013

Yep and I still say to get a drivers license a person should have to be able to check ALL fluids as in oil coolant brake. They should also be able to change a tire and do a light check which should be done by every body once a week or more

Owen Aaland · Aug 1, 2013

My 1960 Renault Dalphine will get over 40 if you have a strong enough tail wind. My 96 Saturn SC1 gets about 40, weighs twice as much, and has about 4 time the horse power.

My 1955 Olds Delta 88 would get about 17 if you drove carefully.

Dean · Aug 1, 2013

Good question.

There were VERY few cars made in the 1960s that would get 30 MPG highway at normal highway speeds.

Dean

Athol Carr · Aug 2, 2013

I had an MG 1100 sedan (transverse engine) in California 1965-1967 that did 40 mpg at 25 mph or 70 mph, wasn't big but had more room in the backseat than s Ford Falcon, the door weren't as thick!

Dick2 · Aug 2, 2013

Daughter went with a youth group from church on a weekend retreat. On the way home, one of the vehicles had a flat tire - she was the only one of a dozen people that knew how to change a tire!

GVSII · Aug 2, 2013

(quoted from post at 20:14:10 08/01/13) They will be serving ice cream you-know-where before I will drive without a spare. That being said I will add this, the majority of drivers today wouldn't know how to change a tire if they did have a flat. And another thing, did you know that many vehicles today, especially SUVs have different size tires on front and back?

Many would not know how to R/R the tire but even more wouldn't know how to patch it either!

Sprint 6 · Aug 2, 2013

I was told by our GM sales rep at the dealer that GM was going to start eliminating spare tires on cars over $40K. Their studies had show owners of cars above the $40K mark were unlikely to change a flat themselves and more likely to have some sort of roadside assistance membership. I know the new GMC Acadias don't come with a spare, had a person in our town find that out the hard way at 10pm on a Saturday.

ohiojim · Aug 2, 2013

even if you had a spare, good luck getting those lug nuts loose the way they ratchet those things on there and the wrenches they put in the vehicles

showcrop · Aug 2, 2013

(quoted from post at 22:21:31 08/01/13) I had an MG 1100 sedan (transverse engine) in California 1965-1967 that did 40 mpg at 25 mph or 70 mph, wasn't big but had more room in the backseat than s Ford Falcon, the door weren't as thick!

I had the same car badged as a Morris in '68-69.

Royse · Aug 2, 2013

(quoted from post at 06:52:08 08/02/13)

(quoted from post at 20:14:10 08/01/13) They will be serving ice cream you-know-where before I will drive without a spare. That being said I will add this, the majority of drivers today wouldn't know how to change a tire if they did have a flat. And another thing, did you know that many vehicles today, especially SUVs have different size tires on front and back?

Click to expand...

Many would not know how to R/R the tire but even more wouldn't know how to patch it either!

Not unless there's an app for that. :roll:

mkirsch · Aug 2, 2013

(quoted from post at 19:29:23 08/01/13) Them people in Washington D.C. get dumber every day.

Assuming the dealer wasn't talking out his a$$ to cover up the fact that he was doing something crooked.

"Government" is a convenient scapegoat these days. It can be used as an excuse to cover up a lot of dirty dealings.

Dealer could just be ordering in the cars without spares, and pocketing the $50 on each one. When caught with his pants down, "The gubmint made me do it!"

Bret4207 · Aug 2, 2013

Plymouth or Doge had one called a Colt in the 80's that would get 40, think it was a rebadged Mitsubishi. Dodge Omni would get pretty close to 40 and that was driving like a demon. My old Duster w/slant 6 would push 30 if you were being good. Moms 67 Chevy Chevelle wagon would push 30 on a trip if you tried, or so they said. Had a Sunbeam Alpine that would push 40.

farmer boy · Aug 2, 2013

The list of cars that get 30mpg today is a mile long. 2006 Corolla can get 41+ at 55mph. Camry can get 35+ at 55mph. Same for Civic and Accord. Then there's Kia, Hyundia, Chevy, Ford. They all have at least a few cars that get 30+ mpg. Lets not forget the Jetta/Golf/Passat TDI. 50 mpg at 55 mph. That's not just a rumor, it actually happens. These are good sized cars with a good number of creature comforts, not some stripped down econo-box. Granted, they are small compared to a 1960's sedan, but the mileage #'s don't even come close.

old · Aug 2, 2013

Ya people seem to think they have the have a big SUV or Caddy to be happy but then pay out the nose for the filling of the tank. I'll stick to my 2 Corolla's that get up to 42MPG

RN · Aug 2, 2013

Chevy van for road trips to church events - replaced spacesaver with full size spare, large 4 way wrench instead of little folding tool kit model, 2 ton compact hydralic jack instead of scissors. Takes up space that could be used for potluck cooker- but no complaints after second flat. also carry little Harbor Frieght 12v airpump and it works for tires on cars, air mattress, cycle tires. Couple people in church starting to carry some of the same gear after I gave a little 'what has happened on road?' quiz. One of the young ladies in choir has hit 3 deer and gotten out of couple speeding tickets, one of the wives has had some things happen but husband takes care of them- that is his job seems to be a common response by married women. RN

dhermesc · Aug 2, 2013

Care to guess why the government is the catch all for everything wrong? Maybe its because they are involved in everything. From the mileage in my car to the transmission not having a dipstick (yes that is because of a government regulation), from the light bulbs I can use to the amount of water I can flush a **** the government is involved.

The big issue for cars are the new mandated fleet mileage requirements - the easiest way to up the mileage is to cut weight. Why do you think the new Impala (a whale of a car) comes standard with a 4 cylinder? How long do you think you will be able to buy a full size pickup with a V8 engine? There is a reason the big 3 have improved their V6 engines - pretty soon it will be the option instead of the base engine.

DaninKansas · Aug 2, 2013

I say ALL drivers (not just old folks) should be required to pass the basic roadside DUI test before they get a DL. The test is to check for impairment in general (not just alcohol). Basic coordination tests, ability to think and respond to basic commands. If you can't pass it you have no business driving.

Dick L · Aug 2, 2013

Dixie's 04 has a plug kit a can of tire fix and a battery powered air compressor back of the front seat. Least that is what the book says. I have not bothered to take things apart to see.

EricInSEI · Aug 2, 2013

I read about that same thing on WCPO's website, as a consumer article, under "Doesn't That Stink?".

ss55 · Aug 2, 2013

Some high end cars are factory equipped with run-flat tires, they carry no spare tire. A spare tire and wheel are still optional equipment on most pickup trucks.

You can still order a new car about any way you want one, or have the dealer add the options you want. If there is space in the car for a full size spare, you can probably buy a spare tire for it from the dealer, if you really want one.

I carry a small 12 volt air compressor in my vehicles, I very rarely need to use one. The spare tires in those vehicles are all still new. Those spare tires have been carried around for 100's of thousands of miles but have never been needed. The compessor makes it easy enough for me to limp 50 to 100 miles to home or into a town with a tire shop. I then get the tire fixed the next morning.

I agree the tire patch kit is a waste. The glue in them will get old before most are ever needed, if anyone knows how to use the kit.

The cost savings of elliminating spare tires is substantial. The car makers and the new car buyers save $100+ per car between them. Plus and the increased gas mileage for most consumers ($50 to $150 over the life of the car) multipled by 50,000 to 500,000 cars made per year in any model is a lot of money saved. That works fine for 98+% of new car buyers. The remainder still have the option to buy a full size or compact spare tire for $25 to $50 more than what it would have cost if a spare tire was factory equipment. I'd buy a new car without a spare tire. I'll still buy the optional spare on a pickup though.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 2, 2013

I always gots my spare tire wif me. Sigh...

T in NE · Aug 2, 2013

Had a 96 Plymouth Breeze with the 2 liter (small) 4 cylinder. Got around decent, and if I kept it under 70, used the right grade of gas, it would get 35-45 MPG, depending on which way I was headed. Always better Cleveland-Columbus than Columbus-Cleveland.

But that was back in the day when Chrysler was the leader in aerodynamics.

I think everyone tweaks their aero info to fool the EPA formulas anymore. They have had 30+ years to figure it out.

old · Aug 3, 2013

Yep going west to east seems to get better mileage then going east to west. But most of the time the winds blow going east from the west so when yu drive west your bucking a head wind

Eldon (WA) · Aug 3, 2013

(quoted from post at 21:22:44 08/02/13) Had a 96 Plymouth Breeze with the 2 liter (small) 4 cylinder. Got around decent, and if I kept it under 70, used the right grade of gas, it would get 35-45 MPG, depending on which way I was headed. Always better Cleveland-Columbus than Columbus-Cleveland.

But that was back in the day when Chrysler was the leader in aerodynamics.

I think everyone tweaks their aero info to fool the EPA formulas anymore. They have had 30+ years to figure it out.

We bought a new Chevy Beretta (2.2L, 5 speed) in 94 that got 42 mpg right off the lot on a 3000 mile trip. It increased to 45 mpg in the next couple of months. My brother was selling Amsoil, so I decided to use it in this car....my wife worked 7 on 7 off at a hospital and I was self-employed so we would put up to 35,000 miles on the car a year camping across the western USA. Very cheap at $1 a gallon gas back then! Chevy had an "intake problem" recall on it forever, but I did not take it in.
I sold it after my wife got a company car, 124,000 miles and only 4 oil changes! Only expense I had other than gas and oil was a battery, one set of tires and front struts. Sure wish I would have kept that one....

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