[acewiza]

Yeah...we all got that...and there are situations where nothing substitutes for a real spare.

And the other 99.9% of the time run flats are a better solution for the vast majority of drivers. :thumbsup:

Especially the ones unwilling or unable to deal with things like broken jacks, etc. :thumbsdown:

 

[MoparNorm]

And the other 99.9% of the time run flats are a better solution for the vast majority of drivers. :

One thing that Allpar prides itself upon is accurate and factual information.
Please provide your source for that 99.9% number, otherwise it's simply your position and your opinion...and far from 99.9%
In fact reading the posts here in total, it's less than 50%.

 

[acewiza]

You guys want to poo-poo run-flats based on a tiny segment of the market and half the posters in this thread, non of which seem to have any actual experience or current information on them?

Okaaaaaay, then.... Enjoy your spare tires!

 

[MoparNorm]

You guys want to poo-poo run-flats based on a tiny segment of the market and half the posters in this thread, non of which seem to have any actual experience or current information on them?

Okaaaaaay, then.... Enjoy your spare tires!

Never poo-pooed run flats I said they aren't for everyone. Your deflection of the question still doesn't answer where you pulled the 99.9% number from.
There is a definite use for them, in some applications, maybe many applications, but neither all or even most.
The posters here certainly have actual experience and application of flat tires and their opinions shouldn't be dismissed so easily, simply because you fail to see their point.

Example: how good does that run flat work when the wheel is damaged beyond use?
I've had three flats, not with Jeeps, where the wheels were destroyed in the process of going flat, one was a slick roadway where the wheel slid onto a railroad track, cutting the tire in nearly half and bending the rim beyond it's ability to hold air, or hold the tire to it. The other incident was when the vehicle in front of me lost its bumper and cut two tires and again bent the wheels.
Freak accidents, sure and in my annual 20,000, not likely to occur again...I hope, but a lot of my driving is on remote roads and cross country and frankly, as good as AAA is, they aren't worth the wait, the lost time, the cost or the uncertainty of finding a tow at 2 AM in Western Montana, or central Nevada.

 

[aldo90731]

He must work for Continental tires or something...

 

[dmcdonald]

I feel the same way. Because I have been doing business with my dealer for a decade and we know each other well, they got Chrysler to get me an aftermarket spare tire kit for my SRT...and now I am a happy camper

I recently traded my SRT 392 for a 300 SRT and kept the spare tire kit. If I hadn't been able to get a spare tire I'd bought a sports sedan from someone else --despite my long, deep love for Chrysler and SRT...

May not be as easy to find that other sports sedan with a spare. BMW, Cadillac, Audi, and Mercedes all sell some or many of their respective models without a spare tire.
Personally, I like the security that comes with having a spare, especially given the type of driving I do and the roads I cover but Chrysler certainly isn't the first or only to go this route.

 

[TWX]

May not be as easy to find that other sports sedan with a spare. BMW, Cadillac, Audi, and Mercedes all sell some or many of their respective models without a spare tire.
Personally, I like the security that comes with having a spare, especially given the type of driving I do and the roads I cover but Chrysler certainly isn't the first or only to go this route.

A common thread is that all four of those makes are generally purchased by those that can afford the costs of dealing with tire problems when they occur, up to and including a tow and new wheel/tire or even a rental. I'm sure that even our member Aldo here was able to bear the cost of his experience with his Challenger SRT8 flat, even if he was unhappy with having to, but his experience shows that even those that can afford to deal with it may still not want to have to, especially when a half-hour and 50lb in tools and parts would lend to a solution to at least reach a tire shop for a repair or replacement in controlled conditions.

 

[Dave Z]

Well, I'm all for having a spare, I just don't think it's the end of the world to NOT have one.

Having now heard of two OEM jacks failing, one Ford and one Dodge, I'm thinking of testing out our own OEM jack.

I use bottle jacks when I can but they really are too tall for most modern cars. Works fine for the minivan and Valiant, but didn't work for the Neon and I doubt it'll work for the 300C. (I can't recall what I used for 300M, probably the scissor.)

And btw, the scissor jacks are a huge improvement (when they don't source them to Cheapest China Company Ltd) over the ladder jacks...

 

[aldo90731]

For clarification: the jack that failed me was aftermarket --supplied with the aftermarket spare tire kit for my SRT.

I picked up an OE jack from my dealer and tried it: works like a charm!

 

[aldo90731]

A common thread is that all four of those makes are generally purchased by those that can afford the costs of dealing with tire problems when they occur, up to and including a tow and new wheel/tire or even a rental. I'm sure that even our member Aldo here was able to bear the cost of his experience with his Challenger SRT8 flat, even if he was unhappy with having to, but his experience shows that even those that can afford to deal with it may still not want to have to, especially when a half-hour and 50lb in tools and parts would lend to a solution to at least reach a tire shop for a repair or replacement in controlled conditions.

My peeves were that (1st) I blew a tire and had no spare and no cell reception; (2nd) when I contacted Chrysler Roadside Assistance they said flat tires are not covered.

Yes, I can afford a new tire and I can afford a tow, but I do not want to find out when I am on the side of the road.

Chrysler is free to remove the spare tire if it wants, but it needs to overcomensate with assurances if it wants to retain customer trust. And if they are too cheap to include a spare tire and flat tire assistance, then include a $49 AAA membership and a Satellite phone!

 

[dmcdonald]

A common thread is that all four of those makes are generally purchased by those that can afford the costs of dealing with tire problems when they occur, up to and including a tow and new wheel/tire or even a rental. I'm sure that even our member Aldo here was able to bear the cost of his experience with his Challenger SRT8 flat, even if he was unhappy with having to, but his experience shows that even those that can afford to deal with it may still not want to have to, especially when a half-hour and 50lb in tools and parts would lend to a solution to at least reach a tire shop for a repair or replacement in controlled conditions.

I was only commenting on the current and possibly future availability of spares in sports sedans as mentioned by Aldo, though I don't think we should assume the level of inconvenience by even the affluent driver. It is a trend that is increasing and even some lower model Chevrolets and Hyundais have gone without. I sure weight and space savings are the reasons the manufactures will offer; however, given the type of driving I do and the places I travel, I can't imagine not having a spare.

 

[aldo90731]

A bud of mine that works at Toyota and drives a company-supplied Prius Plug-In (which doesn't carry a spare either) had three separate flats within a two-week span.

Not only was he fuming (roadside assistance and all), he decided the car is only good enough for city commuting; they take their ML350 whenever they leave town.

 

[JavelinAMX]

This is the better solution - and it will end any argument over which is superior :

Tracks!

 

[MoparNorm]

Funny, but not infallible, especially if you have changed a road wheel, or added a track link at 3 in the morning...

 

[UN4GTBL]

Before I bought a "real" jack, I used the scissor jack from my Caliber several times with no problems.

 

[TWX]

This is the better solution - and it will end any argument over which is superior :

Tracks!

I don't want to contemplate the lubrication and bearings maintenance of a tracked vehicle for every-day use...

 

[Dave Z]

A bud of mine that works at Toyota and drives a company-supplied Prius Plug-In (which doesn't carry a spare either) had three separate flats within a two-week span.

I don't even want to know where he works. Something must be wrong with the car (bad wheels? bad tires?), the driver, or the roads...

Seriously. I mean, take a poll, I'll bet 90% of respondents haven't had a flat in 20 years.

Some cars are bad, though, for flats, I'll give you that. My wife's Escort had a flat every three weeks or so. Wasn't like she drove it badly. Different wheels. We traded for the Neon, that never had a flat.

 

[MoparNorm]

Seriously. I mean, take a poll, I'll bet 90% of respondents haven't had a flat in 20 years.

Since both Aldo and I have had flats in the recent past. I think a Poll is an excellent idea!
Let's find out from the members of Allpar, how many have had a flat in the last 12 months.

Remember this is NOT an opinion poll about the change, in spare policy, simply a fact gathering poll to see how many folks do get flats.
In the last 6 months, my daughter has had a flat while driving in her Journey.
My other daughter has had a flat while driving her Patriot.
My Son-in-law had a flat while driving his Jeep.
I've had a flat while driving my Wrangler.
My wife had a flat while driving her Liberty.
Several friends have had flats while driving their trucks to work.
My father in law had a flat on his Ram.

 

[MoparNorm]

Thanks for the Poll, it however has a bug and won't let my vote be placed.

 

[TWX]

Since both Aldo and I have had flats in the recent past. I think a Poll is an excellent idea!
Let's find out from the members of Allpar, how many have had a flat in the last 12 months.

Remember this is NOT an opinion poll about the change, in spare policy, simply a fact gathering poll to see how many folks do get flats.
In the last 6 months, my daughter has had a flat while driving in her Journey.
My other daughter has had a flat while driving her Patriot.
My Son-in-law had a flat while driving his Jeep.
I've had a flat while driving my Wrangler.
My wife had a flat while driving her Liberty.
Several friends have had flats while driving their trucks to work.
My father in law had a flat on his Ram.

http://www.allpar.com/forums/topic/151420-last-time-that-you-had-a-flat-tire/

Thanks for the Poll, it however has a bug and won't let my vote be placed.

I was editing, please try again...