How many take out spare/jack for street driving?

[dennis]

I wanted to just see how many nsxers drive daily without their spare tire and jack?

After 9 years and 58K miles,I've only used it once, it goes add some weight..
If I pick up a nail, I can always use the flat filling stuff, I don't plan on repairing the stock yokos.Right?
Dennis

 

[Number9]

The spare, brackets, tools, pump weigh some 40 lbs or so. A cell phone to call the Acura Care # or AAA only weighs a couple of ounces and accomplishes the same results. Ergo, I don't carry the spare/tools in either the NSX or the Dinan M3.

 

[MAJOR STONER]

I drove around for two days on a rear flat until the sidewall cracked. Good to know if you are in a jam.

 

[westernb4]

I agree with these comments; however the front spare, I believe, is part of the front impact safety system, and I'd hesitate to remove it for that reason.

 

[cojones]

Originally posted by westernb4:
the front spare, I believe, is part of the front impact safety system, and I'd hesitate to remove it for that reason.

Is this true ??
Most track "advice" I've read/heard suggests removing the spare whilst on-track. Is this bad ?

#############

Kind of academic -- I don't carry the spare because it doesn't fit my brake kit; it also doesn't fit under my scooped hood.


[This message has been edited by cojones (edited 28 April 2002).]

 

[nsxlr8]

I took all that crap out the first day I got the car and would never even consider putting it back in.

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

Originally posted by westernb4:
I agree with these comments; however the front spare, I believe, is part of the front impact safety system, and I'd hesitate to remove it for that reason.

This has yet to be verified. I would think the impact should be better without the spare tires in place. As modern car are build with crumple zone, and the absent of spare tires could make it crumple better other tan pushing the spare tires to the steering column ad possibly pushing the steering towards you.

OCTJMO, ICBW


[This message has been edited by Andrie Hartanto (edited 28 April 2002).]

 

[Jimbo]

I can understand taking out the spare and the tools for the track...but for the street?

Why would 40 lbs matter for the street?

-Jim

------------------
1992 NSX Red/Blk 5 spd #0330
1991 NSX Blk/Blk Auto #3070 (Sold)
1974 Vette 454 4 spd Wht/Blk
Looking for 76-79 Honda Accords

 

[POWERED by HONDA]

The spare tire holder/bracket has to be worth something in an impact? Or am I wrong to assume that?

I am currently driving around without the spare tire but leave the bracket there...

... then again, I only drive the car on weekends and the reason I leave the spare tire removed is so I can access the battery to plug in the on-board battery maintainer.

 

[nsxtasy]

I leave the spare IN the car whenever I'm driving the car on public roads. If I get a flat, I may need it. Also, I believe that you are less likely to have a problem if you are more prepared for that contingency.

I remove the spare for track use. I don't care all that much about weight savings. But I've found that the forces on the spare generated on the track have a tendency to loosen the wing nut that holds the spare down (eventually to the point that it loosens up easily even after a short street drive) as well as the bolt at the top of the vertical upright. The rubber protectors on the ends of the horizontal cross-piece also tend to fly off so I remove them for track use as well.

I do not know for sure, but I can only guess that the designers assumed that the spare was IN the car when they were designing, analyzing and testing the NSX's performance in collisions.

 

[David]

I took all that junk out about an hour after I bought the car. By the way, if anyone in Austin wants the spare, you are welcome to it.

 

[rcarlos]

Does it help keep the battery from moving if the holder fails?

 

[LJSB]

If you get a flat and use the spare, where will you put the flat tire? Not the trunk. You could fit it inside the car but, I doubt it would fit with a passenger. I think your best bet is a repair kit and/or cell phone. (I do leave the stock spare in place though)

 

[rcarlos]

The flat tire can be carried in the trunk.

 

[Number9]

Originally posted by rcarlos:
The flat tire can be carried in the trunk.

Perhaps if you brute force it. No thanks. My 99-Z rear wouldn't readily fit in the trunk.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by Number9:
Perhaps if you brute force it. No thanks. My 99-Z rear wouldn't readily fit in the trunk.

The stock size wheel and tire combination DOES readily fit in the trunk. If I recall correctly, you need to tilt the tire at an angle, with the edge of the tire in the far end of the trunk, shove slightly, and the rest of the wheel/tire will drop into place. No brute force needed.

I don't know if it matters if the outside surface of the wheel is on the top or the bottom, but I always place it on the bottom, to protect it (as well as to use the space on the inside of the wheel to pack other stuff).

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 28 April 2002).]

 

[Number9]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
The stock size wheel and tire combination DOES readily fit in the trunk. If I recall correctly, you need to tilt the tire at an angle, with the edge of the tire in the far end of the trunk, shove slightly, and the rest of the wheel/tire will drop into place. No brute force needed.

I don't know if it matters if the outside surface of the wheel is on the top or the bottom, but I always place it on the bottom, to protect it (as well as to use the space on the inside of the wheel to pack other stuff).

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 28 April 2002).]

Sorry, no - not in my car. I tried puting just the tire and had to shove and deform the material in the front recess before it would even begin to fit. Measured it and sure enough, it doesn't fit without deforming the trunk liner. As I mentioned, you can brute force it, but I won't do so. If your pre 97 fits fine, good for you.

 

[naaman]

I drive a pick up truck, so tire storage is not an issue, and as such, I may be somewhat ignorant in this matter, but why wouldn't you just put it in the place where the spare came from?

 

[Craig]

Originally posted by naaman:
I drive a pick up truck, so tire storage is not an issue, and as such, I may be somewhat ignorant in this matter, but why wouldn't you just put it in the place where the spare came from?

It won't fit there either.



[This message has been edited by Craig (edited 25 May 2002).]

 

[Ojas]

Originally posted by Number9:
...If your pre 97 fits fine, good for you.

Granted, I have a 91 (16" rear), but my fully inflated autoX tire fits there just fine.

So, a flat/deflated 17" (94+, incl NSX-Z) will not fit in the trunk? I would have thought that any stock-width 17" tire (94+) would fit in the same space. Why would Honda design the space and not have the deflated tire fit?

 

[Number9]

Originally posted by Ojas:
Granted, I have a 91 (16" rear), but my fully inflated autoX tire fits there just fine.

So, a flat/deflated 17" (94+, incl NSX-Z) will not fit in the trunk? I would have thought that any stock-width 17" tire (94+) would fit in the same space. Why would Honda design the space and not have the deflated tire fit?

Sorry I wasn't more clear - you should be able to shove it in, though there may be some cosmetic damage to the trunk liner. BTW, the flat 17" Yokos have really stiff sidewalls, so the fact of it being flat doesn't help much.

 

[JoeSchmoe]

Originally posted by Ojas:

So, a flat/deflated 17" (94+, incl NSX-Z) will not fit in the trunk?

Ive gotten one of my 17" rears back there before. It fits but barely. It has to be totally deflated and it take a bit of shoving. Beware of damaging the weatherstrip around the trunk when doing so...