Re: [DML] No spare?

[Stephen Rice <stevedmc@xxxxxxxxx>]

For what its worth, I carry a full size spare along with a fire
extinguisher.  To me it doesn't make sense sitting on the side of the road
for an hour waiting for a tow truck.  In that hour people will approach
you.  Being approached by complete strangers on shoulder of the road in the
middle of nowhere at night is not safe in my opinion.

A few weeks ago I was traveling from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to the
Nashville area.  About half way into my trip the tread separated on one of
my rear tires that was purchased less than three years ago.  The tire had
plenty of tread yet was a cheap made in China Primewell tire.

I made sure I had control of the car, steered onto the shoulder, and
replaced the tire with my full size spare.  Despite what people will tell
you, what was left of my rear tire and rim fit nicely in the trunk space.
I was able to close the bonnet with no problem at all.  The whole thing
took me about 5 minutes and I was on my way.

I then stopped at the nearest exit, about 5 miles away, did a visual
inspection and made a few phone calls.  The nearest city with tire options
was 50 miles away.  Had I relied on AAA they would have towed me to the
nearest tire store and I would have to wait for them to order something.
Just because a tow truck can arrive in an hour, it doesn't mean your car
will be back on the road in an hour.

I drove my car at interstate speed for 50 miles until I made it to
Pepboys.  I could have continued my trip on my full size spare but I simply
didn't trust the rest of the tires.  I had the full set replaced and I was
on my way.

I had a commitment to be at an event for 8pm in the Nashville area for
someone that was paying to rent my car.  Had I waited for AAA I never would
have been able to keep my obligation.

And yes, I do carry a fire extinguisher in my car despite my question about
the necessity of having one.  Frankly I don't understand how one can say a
spare tire is stupid, yet a fire extinguisher is not.  Every car has the
potential for problems whether it be new or old.  Being responsible and
preparing to be able to take care of yourself is your choice.  If you want
others to be responsible for you, then that is your choice.

David T, its now your turn to share your wisdom.

-Steve Rice
DMCToday.com
#165410

On Fri, Jul 26, 2013 at 5:52 AM, Michael C. Babb <mcbabb@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> My daily driver is a Pontiac G8.  On the base model there is a spare
> included.  On the higher end GT and GXP's they still have the space for a
> spare, but they were not included with the car. AAA is my "spare" Much
> safer than trying to work on tire changes on the side of a highway in
> rush-hour traffic.
>
> Michael
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 11:45 PM, <deloreanernst@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > **
> >
> >
> > Just read an article online that many carmakers are abandoning spares as
> > standard equipment. Last time I had a "real" flat, meaning a blowout, it
> > was on I-95 near DC in my son's car. The donut spare was what got us all
> > the way to South Jersey, on a Saturday night when no service place was
> > open. I'm keepin' the spare in the D. BTW, it's a good idea to check and
> be
> > sure it's not flat. I still have the original rubber on mine... (gulp)
> but
> > it is sealed to the rim to prevent air loss.
> >
> > -Wayne
> > 11174
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Michael C. Babb
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
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