No spare wheel?

Ultrasonic

Ultrasonic wrote: »

The difference in fuel economy from doing this really is pathetic. You might find this interesting:

http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/greenlings-how-does-weight-affect-a-vehicles-efficiency/

I thought I'd put some real numbers on this. Using the combined economy figure in the above link for 5% weight reduction and scaling for the actual weight loss from removing a spare wheel (which I took to be 20 kg) I get the following:

For my car (a diesel Octavia):

20kg is a 1.33% reduction in its 1500 kg mass, which corresponds to a 0.56% improvement in fuel economy. If I do 10,000 miles a year and average 55mpg, then that would reduce my annual fuel bill of £1148 by £6.43.

For a petrol car weighing 1250 kg and averaging 45 mpg for the same 10,000 miles, the £1353 annual fuel bill would be reduced by £9.09.

For me, these are amounts of money I'm very happy to pay for the benefit of having a proper spare should the need arise.

Gloomendoom

Ultrasonic wrote: »

For me, these are amounts of money I'm very happy to pay for the benefit of having a proper spare should the need arise.

And me.....

vikingaero

I concur. For the sake of ten quid I'd rather be in a position to say to the kids:

"It'll only take 15 minutes to change the flat with the spare and we'll be on our way to the seaside."

almillar

Not me, as I say I'd rather carry an air compressor and gunk. Weight, no matter how insignificant, will affect fuel economy AND performance. And yes, I should also go on a diet!
As I say, if something goes wrong with my tyre that the above can't fix, a roadside repair will be the least of my worries. I don't think blowouts are common enough to carry another tyre.
Just last week I got a massive puncture, including a loud bang, at 50mph, giving a hole in the tyre you could fit a pencil through. Got home OK, wouldn't fill with air, and had to replace the tyre. No spare used. Would have been handy, and less of an emergency, but fine by me.

vikingaero

almillar wrote: »

I don't think blowouts are common enough to carry another tyre.
Just last week I got a massive puncture, including a loud bang, at 50mph, giving a hole in the tyre you could fit a pencil through. Got home OK, wouldn't fill with air, and had to replace the tyre. No spare used. Would have been handy, and less of an emergency, but fine by me.

Surely blowouts are rarer than slow punctures where the tyre picks up a nail/screw and you come back to it and spot the flat tyre?

I've never had a blowout, have hit potholes or road debris, had 5 years without a puncture and in the last 2 years have had 5.

Ultrasonic

almillar wrote: »

Not me, as I say I'd rather carry an air compressor and gunk. Weight, no matter how insignificant, will affect fuel economy AND performance. And yes, I should also go on a diet!

Fair enough, although I'd be impressed if anyone really could notice any improvement in performance (0-60?) from removing a spare wheel! Just possibly in a very light little roadster, but I'd suggest there is no chance in a family hatchback.

Out of interest what did the compressor and 'gunk' cost? Just wondering how far you need to drive to break-even.

Just last week I got a massive puncture, including a loud bang, at 50mph, giving a hole in the tyre you could fit a pencil through. Got home OK, wouldn't fill with air, and had to replace the tyre. No spare used.

How did you get your car home?

Exemplar

Our new Audi A1 didnt come with one. But it did come with 3 years roadside assistance which covers tyres, even in Europe.

Ultrasonic

alcot33uk wrote: »

Our new Audi A1 didnt come with one. But it did come with 3 years roadside assistance which covers tyres, even in Europe.

What does the tyre cover actually give you? Do they transport your car to a tyre fitting centre and pay for a replacement tyre? What happens outside of, generously, 8:00-18:00?

greatgimpo

alcot33uk wrote: »

Our new Audi A1 didnt come with one. But it did come with 3 years roadside assistance which covers tyres, even in Europe.

Let's hope your mobile gets a signal then. You don't live in Norfolk, do you!

Exemplar

Ultrasonic wrote: »

What does the tyre cover actually give you? Do they transport your car to a tyre fitting centre and pay for a replacement tyre? What happens outside of, generously, 8:00-18:00?

Full cover. They attend and either repair/ replace on the spot. Very, very good cover. My boss had a Panamera with the same cover and he used it a few times and they arrived very quickly..