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Other Technologies That Will Need To Adapt

Kuda

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Now there's some good news!:)

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D.D.Bwana

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At Wal-Mart they drive your car over a pit then change the oil from underneath. (I believe Jiffy Lube is the same.) Hate to think what will happen when the first mechanic drives an Elio over the pit and the rear wheel falls in. What other dangers lie in store for a three wheel car in a four wheel society?


Moderator Commnet: Merged from redundant thread
 
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outsydthebox

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At Wal-Mart they drive your car over a pit then change the oil from underneath. (I believe Jiffy Lube is the same.) Hate to think what will happen when the first mechanic drives an Elio over the pit and the rear wheel falls in. What other dangers lie in store for a three wheel car in a four wheel society?

LOL, Yes, some training will be needed. Some one posted a pic, a while back, (of the P3 or P4) actually getting the oil changed. The photo showed it pulled in, (over the pit) from the exit side. This method left the rear wheel on solid ground.
Another method would be to make a "dolly" that the rear wheel will ride in, with outrigger wheels.
 

goofyone

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At Wal-Mart they drive your car over a pit then change the oil from underneath. (I believe Jiffy Lube is the same.) Hate to think what will happen when the first mechanic drives an Elio over the pit and the rear wheel falls in. What other dangers lie in store for a three wheel car in a four wheel society?
Here is a very simple solution to a frequently asked question and it involved no new technology just a little thinking. This photo and caption were posted on Facebook this morning by Joel Sheltrown, Elio Motors VP for Government Affairs.
Every once in a while, some one will say: "How would you change the oil in an Elio?" This is the P3 getting serviced at Quaker State location in West Branch where they just had me pull in the opposite end. Biggest problem you'll have is having to wait for the employees to get their picture taken.
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carzes

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I've been considering the fact that the rear tire will be constantly traveling in "no man's land" that is not swept clear of road debris nearly as much as the traditional tire paths, therefore it is the most likely of the 3 wheels to be punctured and also the most difficult to change, If it is even possible to do so on the road side. Not the best situation. I think they should look into a non-pneumatic rear tire if there is anything at all that will give close to an acceptable ride and tune the rear suspension to deal with it. The rear tire does not need as much traction as the front tires, like in most FWD cars it's just supporting weight and "along for the ride". Not entirely of course, it has to have some lateral traction for cornering but compared to the fronts it's pretty much just getting towed around.
Not really any option to the traditional pneumatic tire that will give good mpg and performance, else we'd probably already be driving on them. Can't see that the center strip of the road will be that much worse for puncture debris, never had trouble with my bike. The rear tire shouldn't be too hard to change, just remove the rear cowel and take off the lug nuts/bolts like any other. But there is no spare to change to anyway. I read something about a patch kit I think, 'course you'd have to be carrying a pump too. Stradling road debris will take a little more calculation in a tail-dragger design.
 

carzes

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Anyone thinking the traction of the rear tire is less important than the front has not tried snow and ice with bad rear traction on a front wheel drive. Without good lateral traction on the back you'll find yourself spinning around on even light curves. With only one tire to grip on the back this might bethe Achile's heel of the Elio in snow and ice. A new snow tire design might be needed.
 
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