Spare Wheel Delete

[David Cullen]

hi guys and gals
Just a thought i would like to share with you all to get feedback and information ;-)
today i took down my spare wheel to check its condition and the underside of the car, the wheel looked the worst for wear, it looks like it was never used, ever

it still had its stickers on it also

i went to detach the umbilical chord and found that the rubber around the valve was very weak and perished so used two plyers to try and support the neck while trying to detach and

didnt work out too well lol so if i needed it it was no good either way...

ok so, easy enough fix but it got me thinking, do i need the spare?
how often do i get a propper flat? once in a blue moon
the main thing i have to deal with is a slow puncture in which case i carry a 12V pump with me anyway ;-)
there is also a spray can you can get which inflates the tire for a short period of time, just carry that....
blow out - never had one cos i always keep an eye on the tire condition
the rack is easy enough to take off, less weight = better fuel consumption
what do you guys recon, am i just being a lunatic? ))
interested to hear your thoughts
thanks
Dave

 

[t-tony]

If it was me I'd bin the lot Dave. No one fits a spare these days because your Insurance will most likely provide a breakdown service for only a few £'s per year.

Tony.

 

[David Cullen]

so im not being silly then? there might be some merit behind my madness lol

has anyone done this?

another thing that i was thinking was about stock wheels and after market wheels and how most people have changed their wheels and thus their wheel size, ergo, would the spare be suited to the new wheels? or if you put it on would it mess with the speed sensor?

 

[t-tony]

mess with the speed sensor?

The way I understand it Dave, is that the rolling circumference of the space saver spare is the same as the normal road wheels, so should not effect the speed sensors at all. Obviously though the width of the tyre is greatly reduced and hence should only be used up to 50 mph.

Tony.

 

[David Cullen]

yes the circumference is to match stock which is what? 16" with 50/60 wall? so with everyone changing either wheels to 17 or 18 and walls to 45 or 50 whats the margin? will the sensor not pick up that one wheel is rotating faster or slower than the others?

 

[t-tony]

If it does it may put the light on if it doesn't it won't. There will be some discrepancy but I don't know what it is likely to be. TBH. The ABS only picks up when a wheel stops rotating, ie locked so I can't see an issue.

Tony.

 

[David Cullen]

cheers Tony, i guess i am looking at it from my previous experience when i ran 17 with 50 wall on the back and 45 on the front and the car wanted to run away with itself, remember that one? i thought it was throttle :-/

 

[Rudyrov]

I took out the spare and its plastic holder about 2 months ago.
I will most likely not put it back unless I am going to take a long trip.
This also seems unlikely because the car is small and not made for lugage.

 

[David Cullen]

so you think its a good idea Rudyrov ;-) notice better MPH acceleration? handling? anything?

 

[Rudyrov]

I havent noticed anything except perhaps a few less rattles over bumps in the road, On a race track you might notice it slightly because you have reduced the weight hanging off the back of the car.
I do think the rear of the car looks ever so slightly thinner because the tire carrier and tub arent visible.

 

[oldcarman]

As long as the circumference of the tire is the same, the sidewall, tread width and rim size don't come into play at all so should be no sensor issues! JIM

 

[David Cullen]

i wounder if a diffuser might beef it up a bit Rudyrov ;-)

Agreed Jim but i wonder how many people overlook that when changing wheels or tires.... just a heads up for everyone ;-)

 

[ZTec]

If you still run the standard wheels on your car and you decide not to carry your spare, Sod's law says you will need it.

 

[Rudyrov]

Hi David C, If you are referring to a valance or spoiler for the rear to give it more fullness, I think I like the thin or light appearance in the back.

 

[miller1098]

Put another exhaust on there that will fill the hole

 

[Grumps]

I've ditched mine as it had never been off the rack and looked completely knackered. This subject ran on .net last year and got quite heated (for.net lol). I can't stand space savers anyway. My parents had a car written off due to a spacesaver. I'm gonna remove the cage when I get a minute. My breakdown cover comes out if I have a puncture or blowout but check with your own as some will charge if you don't have a spare and should.

 

[MAURICE THE MARTIAN]

I've ditched mine as it had never been off the rack and looked completely knackered. This subject ran on .net last year and got quite heated (for.net lol). I can't stand space savers anyway. My parents had a car written off due to a spacesaver. I'm gonna remove the cage when I get a minute. My breakdown cover comes out if I have a puncture or blowout but check with your own as some will charge if you don't have a spare and should.

Understand wot yr sayin.Dave.
But I would keep the spare and buy a new one.All these gunk thingies r ok but in practice no kop. If yr up a mountain or down sum french country rd with no fone reception yr f*cked .iv gone tother way an baught a spare for mine.At least I can get to the nearest town shud a blowout occur.
Just my opinion[emoji89]
Ps just avin brekki .an goin for a lie down round the pool.[emoji41]

 

[Cooper]

I removed mine and installed a NO2 tank and injector system and made enough room for the additional exhaust setup as well.

Just dreaming... hahaha

 

[Grumps]

Understand wot yr sayin.Dave.
But I would keep the spare and buy a new one.All these gunk thingies r ok but in practice no kop. If yr up a mountain or down sum french country rd with no fone reception yr f*cked .iv gone tother way an baught a spare for mine.At least I can get to the nearest town shud a blowout occur.
Just my opinion[emoji89]
Ps just avin brekki .an goin for a lie down round the pool.[emoji41]

Are you plastered yet moz!

 

[bertiejaffa]

My A5 has had its space saver used 4 times in the last year, each time has been in the evening or on sundays when the garages are closed. Breakdown will only take you so far... then you're stuffed. If the wheel was in the passenger seat then lose it... slung under the car out of the way then keep it / replace it... you will hate it when you need it and don't have it