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AAA, or any other road service doesn't mean much if you don't have a spare of some type.
I have road side service for some time via Chrysler on the new Pacifica, but all they will do is tow you in for a limited number of miles I am sure.
Over the years I have found that finding the source of the leak and removing it if it's still there and using that patch kit I carry or fix-a-flat works fine.
I have also had to replace tire valves from time to time.
I really hate being stranded and in the desert where we live it's a long ways from town to town.
In the 35 years I've been driving, not once have I gotten a disabling flat.
It's always nails, causing slow leaks. Generally I wake-up to a flat in my driveway, and the nail head is visible. Then I pump it up, and drive to the shop; leaving nail in.
Auto shops also sell plug kits, a better alternative to the mess fix a flat creates for the tire shop.
They work great for small holes, until plugging can be done from the inside of tire.
But the guy from AAA can get that nut off, and he doesn't mind doing it. With no spare he's going to have to tow you to a place that is probably closed at least 12 hours a day, and then if it's a bad blow-out and you need a new tire, you'll have to wait until a tire store opens to get the right size and brand.
Them why not carry two spares? Or a whole set?
Eventually you gotta weigh what’s actually necessary. Yes if you have a blow out it’s gonna be a bad day. So would having an accident of any kind. If blowouts are common for you, then you have the choice to buy one, but it’s not required. For my Pacifica, not having a spare, means I get a vacuum cleaner. I use the vacuum cleaner more often than the spare.
I just put a full size tire and rim inside my car mine you i drive a pickup and a suv so it may not work in a sedan or a coupe through both of them do have spare tires through
Most people will not have a flat in the lifetime of their car if they replace tires at the right time. So why carry the weight? Why pay for an additional tire and wheel? For those that do pick up a nail or other debris, a typical AAA response or tow truck driver will simply patch and refill the tire.
AAA doesn't patch tires; they'll put the spare on, or tow the car.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bfrabel
The odds of having almost any other type of mechanical failure are not much worse than having a tire blow out, but people don't usually drive around with spare transmissions or alternators or water pumps or other spare parts and tools with them "just in case", do they?
Talk about ridiculous.
I've had quite a few flats in my lifetime, and most of those tires wouldn't have been able to be patched. Several times I've had flats on busy highways. Compare that to the time a transmission has conked out (none), time the alternator has failed (once, fortunately in my driveway), time the water pump has failed (none).
All the maintenance in the world can't predict when you're going to drive over a nail or screw; careful maintenance can help prevent mechanical failure.
So much for your "logic".
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunbiz1
In the 35 years I've been driving, not once have I gotten a disabling flat. .
I wish I'd had the same luck. But I haven't. So I carry a spare tire.
I’m glad they finally got over the spare tire requirements. Especially for sports cars, you can now design a car without worrying where to stick the spare. A Corvette’s design would be all messed up if it required a spare. There’s no place to put it unless the trunk space was cut in half.
AAA doesn't patch tires; they'll put the spare on, or tow the car.
Actually, that depends. AAA contracts with different towing places. Some of them will do it. Happened to us recently... 4 brand new tires. Ran over the hook of a bungee cord. It got buried deep in the tread, and the tire went flat. AAA sent out a local contractor, who offered to patch the tire right there on the side of the road. He did a good job at a reasonable price. No spare and no temporary spare. I did keep one off the four original tires. Now I'm hunting for a wheel to mount the tire on so we will have a spare.
I bought a new Kia Soul 6 years ago. There was no spare. I didn't keep the car long, and bought a Nissan. It came with a spare tire. So I'm wondering will the spare be a thing of the past soon. If so when I buy another car, the dealer will have to sell me the spare and accessories. I won't drive a car without a spare tire. Personally I don't feel it should be allowed to sell a car without a spare.
I bought a new Kia Soul 6 years ago. There was no spare. I didn't keep the car long, and bought a Nissan. It came with a spare tire. So I'm wondering will the spare be a thing of the past soon. If so when I buy another car, the dealer will have to sell me the spare and accessories. I won't drive a car without a spare tire. Personally I don't feel it should be allowed to sell a car without a spare.
What do you care if anybody else has to have one? If you want one, buy one.
[quote=Ziggy100;52159225]What do you care if anybody else has to have one? If you want one, buy one.[/QU
I guess because I care about people. Most people that is, though there can be exceptions.
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