Spare Tire Questions

[Dooltd]

I'm not too concerned about a spare. I've ridden a motorcycle for fifty years and never had a flat.
Maybe Elio will offer run-flat tires and a tire pressure monitoring system as an option.

 

[electroken]

My wife's 2011 Kia Optima doesn't have a spare. Instead it has a fancy version of fix-a-flat. The marketing guys call it the "mobility kit".

It's cheaper and weighs a lot less than a spare tire, both very important if Elio is to meet their price and mileage targets.

 

[HHH]

I'm not too concerned about a spare. I've ridden a motorcycle for fifty years and never had a flat.
Maybe Elio will offer run-flat tires and a tire pressure monitoring system as an option.

Lucky you! I've had two motorcycles and two punctures and currently have an extremely small puncture. A puncture on a bike tire requires the tire to be replaced, as any repairs are considered emergency only.

Tire busters for cars have told me not to use tire goops as they ruin the tire for permanent patch repairs. With the special tires to be installed on the Elio, I'm left to wonder whether a plugged tire can be used for the remainder of its tread life, or if if the spare replacement is a bottle of tire goop.

 

[carzes]

I wonder if there is room next to the back tire to slide a narrow space-saver up in that area? It would have to be on the lug side of the wheel so as to not interfere with the swing arm...BTW, why didn't they put the rear wheel lugs on the curb side? Then, if you did have a flat on the back, you would be further away from traffic.

Uugh! THIS is how the great gas-cap debate of 2014 got started.

 

[carzes]

Lucky you! I've had two motorcycles and two punctures and currently have an extremely small puncture. A puncture on a bike tire requires the tire to be replaced, as any repairs are considered emergency only.

Tire busters for cars have told me not to use tire goops as they ruin the tire for permanent patch repairs. p.

Funny how people who want to sell you tires can't FIX anything. I have plugged a cycle tire and would not hesitate to patch one either. It won't explode. I'm not riding 200 mph, and WORST case is it'll go flat again. And tire goop don't "ruin" the tire, it's just a mess to deal with. I'd understand if they wanted to charge extra for the repair, but if they can't handle it find someone who can. It's tires, not rocket engines.
Then again, if you are the type who'll wreck your car if you get a flat, maybe best to just get new tires. Weekly. Or even better don't drive.

 

[Mark Ambrose]

Neither of my two Miata's had spare tires. Just a DC compressor and a can of fix-a-flat. Never bothered me. I think spare tires are an anachronism from the 1920's when driving on the unimproved roads at the time was an adventure. Spare tires are gone from cars just like ash trays and cigarette lighters.

 

[Smitty901]

Neither of my two Miata's had spare tires. Just a DC compressor and a can of fix-a-flat. Never bothered me. I think spare tires are an anachronism from the 1920's when driving on the unimproved roads at the time was an adventure. Spare tires are gone from cars just like ash trays and cigarette lighters.

Almost 100% in agreement. I do not carry a spare on any of my motorcycles. If you keep good tires on you are unlikely to have many issue.
A small simple plug kit will fit most. Other wise 1800come get it works.

 

[ET Elio]

AAA. I've had 3 flats in 25 years of driving, but two happened on the highway, which was disconcerting. Not a blow out off the rim, and thankfully closely set exits allowed me to get off the highway. Still a white-knuckle experience to not damage the rim.

 

[wayne kemp]

With people being so spoiled now days do you think they would change a tire.
When is the last time you saw someone changing a tire? Me neither.
Cell phone and AAA or another roadside assistance company phone number is all that most want.

 

[carzes]

Neither of my two Miata's had spare tires. Just a DC compressor and a can of fix-a-flat. Never bothered me. I think spare tires are an anachronism from the 1920's when driving on the unimproved roads at the time was an adventure. Spare tires are gone from cars just like ash trays and cigarette lighters.

I think you're right on the money. tires and roads have gotten good enough that the odds of a flat tire are not that much more than the odds of any other mechanical breakdown. we don't carry a spare fuel pump or ignition module, why a spare tire? as long as you have good rubber, you'll probably be fine. if you run on old bald recaps like I do, then you know what you're getting yourself in for and plan accordingly.