Question about having no spare tire+jack (Now with a poll!)

[Jay2TheRescue]

I've never had a state inspector check my spare, I don't think I even have a spare in the Buick right now, because the spare dry rotted and I took it out.

[GasSavers_viperguy]

Originally Posted by *************

I noticed that one thing that people do in order to save weight is getting rid of the spare tire and jack, just having a roadside assistance plan instead. There is one thing though, how can the road side assistance do their job unless you don't provide them a spare tire and jack to work with? Do they bring their own tire? Do you pay for that tire? How does this all work? I feel like people have overlooked this scenario and think they're set when they're really not.

Some of these tactic to save gas is just overboard. Losing your spare tire and jack is a no no. Never take your spare tire and jack out just to lose a few pounds to save gas. Those are some of the most important things you need in your car. I also don't understand those peoples that trun their engine off when stopping at a stop light or crusing down hill.

[jeep45238]

With the weight you'd save for the spare tire and jack, you'd be better off removing your passenger and (if applicable) rear seats. You're not in a bind if you get a flat and you get extra weight savings.

I have a spare tire and a pretty good portable air compressor along with a plug kit. There are some things I just won't do for gas mileage, and this is one that's definately not worth it to me.

[Jay2TheRescue]

For about a month I was turning off The Beast when stopped @ traffic lights. I got about a 10% gain in mileage, but it was a real PITA... Plus, I quit all of my "extreme" methods after I paid $1,000 for transmission service.

-Jay

[Mayhim]

Taking out the spare and jack is the same kind of short-sightedness that leads other people to mash the gas to the next stoplight and then mash the brakes...only opposite.

It may seem like the thing to do, but thinking it through to the end brings me to a whole 'nother end point. Being broke down on the side of the road and vulnerable isn't my cup of tea.

[VetteOwner]

Originally Posted by Mr Incredible

Taking out the spare and jack is the same kind of short-sightedness that leads other people to mash the gas to the next stoplight and then mash the brakes...only opposite.

It may seem like the thing to do, but thinking it through to the end brings me to a whole 'nother end point. Being broke down on the side of the road and vulnerable isn't my cup of tea.

yea not to mention in the big scheme of things you aren't saving anyone gas because either A someone you know has to come brign you stuff or pick you up run home and get stuff then run back to your car or B you have to have a towtruck, etc come get you.

[thisisntjared]

see this is what you do, you get married, then if you blow a flat you call your wife and tell her to bring the spare and jack to you.

[Jay2TheRescue]

But then you're gonna hear for the next week how heavy and dirty the tire and jack were, and it got the back seat of her car all messed up, and then you have to spend an entire Sunday afternoon shampooing the carpets in her car...

[theholycow]

Yeah, I'd never be able to convince my wife to bring me the jack and spare. A certain other type of jacking, maybe...

[GasSavers_JoeBob]

I was looking at a new Cadillac parked in front of Costco a couple weeks ago. According to the window sticker, in lieu of a spare tire and jack, they gave what amounted to a can of fix-a-flat. Left me scratching my head a bit...