3 ms·

Removing the spare tire is not an advance.

compiler-guy 3y ago
Not having a spare is definitely a problem when you need it. But a spare is needed so rarely today. And that is a major, major advance. One hundred years ago, a car with two spare tires were not that unusual--tires were sufficiently unreliable that you might not manage a trip without _two_ flats, but tires improved, and now the only long-overland back-country adventurers carry two.
- Syonyk 3y ago
  A hundred years ago, spare tires were also carried in a somewhat more visible and easy to access location. I'm sure "symmetry" was a consideration in having two as well.
kube-system 3y ago
Spare tires under normal operation are dead weight which is the costliest possible engineering compromise to make on a vehicle, as it decreases every performance characteristic: acceleration, deceleration, cornering, fuel economy, etc. Their only reason for existing is to compensate for the historically poor observed reliability of tires. This has recently improved with TPMS mandates and better engineered tires.
- jtbayly 3y ago
  AAA estimates 220 million flat tires annually in the US.[0] The existence of spare tires has nothing to do with poor observed reliability. It is because of lack of 100% reliability. It's because when people get a flat, they don't want to be stuck and have to be towed. They want to be able to do something about it and get back on the road. All my flats have happened not because I lacked TPMS sensors but because something poked right through. Low tire pressure only accounts for 15% of flats. [1] If you work for AAA, then sure, trying to convince people to get rid of their spares makes sense. But waiting around for AAA doesn't sound like a fun plan for me, especially when they won't be able to put a spare on for me, but will have to tow me somewhere. [0]: https://cluballiance.aaa.com/public-affairs/press-release https://cluballiance.aaa.com/public-affairs/press-release [1]: https://tiregrades.com/buying-guides/how-many-flat-tires-per-year-occur/#The_Importance_of_Spare_Tires https://tiregrades.com/buying-guides/how-many-flat-tires-per...
  - kube-system 3y ago
    > The existence of spare tires has nothing to do with poor observed reliability. It is because of lack of 100% reliability. Do you carry a spare battery, or spare keys? Because AAA says those are also among their highest reasons for service calls. > All my flats have happened not because I lacked TPMS sensors but because something poked right through. Simple punctures in tread can usually be fixed with an inflator kit, or a plug kit.

Not having a spare is definitely a problem when you need it. But a spare is needed so rarely today. And that is a major, major advance. One hundred years ago, a car with two spare tires were not that unusual--tires were sufficiently unreliable that you might not manage a trip without _two_ flats, but tires improved, and now the only long-overland back-country adventurers carry two.

Syonyk 3y ago
A hundred years ago, spare tires were also carried in a somewhat more visible and easy to access location. I'm sure "symmetry" was a consideration in having two as well.

kube-system 3y ago

Spare tires under normal operation are dead weight which is the costliest possible engineering compromise to make on a vehicle, as it decreases every performance characteristic: acceleration, deceleration, cornering, fuel economy, etc. Their only reason for existing is to compensate for the historically poor observed reliability of tires. This has recently improved with TPMS mandates and better engineered tires.

jtbayly 3y ago
AAA estimates 220 million flat tires annually in the US.[0] The existence of spare tires has nothing to do with poor observed reliability. It is because of lack of 100% reliability. It's because when people get a flat, they don't want to be stuck and have to be towed. They want to be able to do something about it and get back on the road. All my flats have happened not because I lacked TPMS sensors but because something poked right through. Low tire pressure only accounts for 15% of flats. [1] If you work for AAA, then sure, trying to convince people to get rid of their spares makes sense. But waiting around for AAA doesn't sound like a fun plan for me, especially when they won't be able to put a spare on for me, but will have to tow me somewhere. [0]: https://cluballiance.aaa.com/public-affairs/press-release https://cluballiance.aaa.com/public-affairs/press-release [1]: https://tiregrades.com/buying-guides/how-many-flat-tires-per-year-occur/#The_Importance_of_Spare_Tires https://tiregrades.com/buying-guides/how-many-flat-tires-per...
- kube-system 3y ago
  > The existence of spare tires has nothing to do with poor observed reliability. It is because of lack of 100% reliability. Do you carry a spare battery, or spare keys? Because AAA says those are also among their highest reasons for service calls. > All my flats have happened not because I lacked TPMS sensors but because something poked right through. Simple punctures in tread can usually be fixed with an inflator kit, or a plug kit.