Spare tire, what for?

[stevet]

According to the manual, using the spare tire on the rear will trash the diff. I think I have also read that the spare has been dropped in 2007 or 2008 and replaced with a can of inflator/ sealer. Any thoughts on removing the spare to make a little more luggage space?

[kgf3076]

Originally Posted by stevet

According to the manual, using the spare tire on the rear will trash the diff. I think I have also read that the spare has been dropped in 2007 or 2008 and replaced with a can of inflator/ sealer. Any thoughts on removing the spare to make a little more luggage space?

I don't have one...just a can of Fix-A-Flat and a empty tool tray where the jack and other miscellaneous stuff used to live in the trunk...saves about 30 lbs over all...

[Neil]

My 2007 has a spare, but the CR does not. It has the inflation can

[DJJSR]

If you have a flat rear tire, I think you're supposed to move a front tire to the rear and put the spare on the front. Did I read that somewhere or did I make it up?

CAUTION - If you use that fix-a-flat, tell the tire shop it's in there!

[gomarlins3]

Yes, you are suppose to place the front tire on the rear and the space saver on the front.

I carry the tools unless I am going to the track. Then I have my race tools/equipment in the trailer so I take the tools out of the trunk and use the space for luggage. I still carry the spare because I do not want to use a race tire as a spare if I have a flat unless I ABSOLUTELY have to.

[Java Junky]

Old school, n' still carryin' the spare n' all the goodies.
But on the bikes I've carried a can'a fix-a-flat fer years. You've got the ol' guy considerin'.
But they've also got some great plug kits that I've also used for alodda years n' swear by. Maybe jus' the kit n' a can'a compressed air for inflation once it's plugged.
'Gonna godda think on this fer a spell.
Be well,
Java

[Pablo]

WOW, I'm glad I read this post.......I musta missed that page in Mother's Manual. No doughnut on the rear huh........well, that is interesting.......

Thanks and regards
Pablo

[Java Junky]

Okay, smoke's cleared.
I'm plumb scared'a there bein' witnesses fer some yayhoo lyin' dead in'a road alongside'izz flatbed that he was usin' ta scrape body parts off my Stewie.
I'm gonna opt ta remain carryin' the spare, the changin' goodies, the very amazin' n' capable plug kit n' a can'a Fix-a-Flat.
I jus' like havin' options.
Fix-a-Flat'z okay'z a last resort, but I worked on the other side'a the counter in tire shops n' I still do my own tire work. Didn't like dealin' with it then n' I don't seem ta be gettin' any more tolerant'z the clock goes tickin' on it's merry @*#&in' way . . . y'know?
Be well,
Java

[stevet]

Thanks for all your comments, I really appreciate the input. I think I'll stay with the spare also. Can't help wonder why the spare would hurt the diff though. It should be the made to be the same ride height. It's not an experiment I want to try so I'll take the Honda Engineers word for it.
Steve

[Java Junky]

I'd think that it's probably more about the traction difference that'd be involved with the extreme difference in rubber compound n' patch Steve.
Java

[gomarlins3]

My theory (and it's only a theory) is that I believe the diameter of the OEM rears and the donut are different. The diff would want to lock up constantly because of the difference in rotations.

[jagg]

GM3's on the money guys.
Damage would likely occur if the rear tires were not of a very similar circumference. Less than a one inch difference overall would cause damage over enough miles,( and it ain't many guys).
Both tires need to be turning at the same speed or, the differential would be severely strained.

What freaks me is , why is the spare not properly sized to fit any of the four other tires? Seems like a crappy idea.

jagg

[DJJSR]

Originally Posted by jagg

What freaks me is , why is the spare not properly sized to fit any of the four other tires? Seems like a crappy idea.

jagg

It's a space saver spare. I don't think a regular tire would fit in that little space in the trunk.

[Java Junky]

Okay, who'z got the hard data?
I wuz under the impression that the space-saver-spare wuz the same diameter. The weight n' space saved by havin' it less diameter than the real hoops seems a ridiculously small amount.
Is, 'r is not, the diameter'a the space-saver-spare the same'z the rest'a the hoops. No assumin' here guys: hard facts provided by either knowin' where to look up factory info . . . 'r somebody . . . . tape 'em Dano.
He who hates bein' wrong (but does it so frequently that it's becomin' an art form)

[jagg]

It's a space saver spare. I don't think a regular tire would fit in that little space in the trunk.

I understand that it's designed to save space, so it's skinnier.....but why wouldn't it be the same diameter? Width of the tire would be a non-factor when we're talkin about potential differential damage. I'll work on gettin' the details.

jagg

[jagg]

Okay, factory spare size is T125/70 D16 .

[Java Junky]

'Like I said: an art form.
Thanks Jagg (I think).

[DJJSR]

Originally Posted by jagg

Okay, factory spare size is T125/70 D16 .

125mm X .7 (aspect ratio) = 87.5mm (from rim to tire edge)
87.5 x 2 = 175mm (top and bottom)
175mm = 6.9 inches (25.4mm per inch)
16 + 6.9 = 22.9 (overall diameter of spare)

About 2 inches smaller in diameter than the regular tires. That's probably enough to screw up the rear.

BTW - the T stands for temporary.

[jagg]

Thanks Don,

that's good info to know. spare tire bad on the rears.


regards,
jagg

[Java Junky]

A 2 inch decrease over stock? Oh yeah. That'll doo'er alright Don . . but . . . you already knew that.
'Had me a Blazer (a real one) whut blew it's rear some time after it'd been run with 2 different diameter tires. 'Felt like a mine blew under the rear'a the vehicle n' it really felt like we got substantial air. 'Wuz funny how all'a traffic that'd been all aroun' us n' right up our butt suddenly gave us some real room.
Okay, okay. So it wuz really a Bronco. I jus' didn't wanna give Don the satisfaction n' any more anti-Ford fuel.
Java

[Jessa1200]

so question, I am having trouble getting the spare tire out of the trunk. I dont need it in there and I have to pick someone up from the airport in about 1.5hrs, so I was trying to make a little more room so the suitcase fits better this time... its lefty loosey, right? Is there a tool I am suppose to use or is it just pure stength, b/c i turn left and it doesnt budge I turn right it goes a little but I am sure thats righty tighty... LOL am I doing something wrong, short on time and no guy around to help.

[MutantCheese]

Left to undo. Mine was uber tight the first time I took it out as well.

[Jessa1200]

i got it, no man around so I use part of the tools in the car to beat the damn thing left till it FINALLY came loose... thanks.

[MutantCheese]

We men def take our hand strength for granted. lol

[RMurphy]

Originally Posted by Jessa1200

i got it, no man around so I use part of the tools in the car to beat the damn thing left till it FINALLY came loose... thanks.

That's why we have tools. Sometimes, they are amazingly more effective than a man. You don't have to cook for them either.

[Jim21680]

I was always a bit against using the spare-tire-in-a-can stuff, because once you put that in a tire, it's ruined. A plug for me is a much better idea...at least you have a chance of saving the expensive tire. But 30 lbs would be nice to save.

Anyone have an idea of what the electric motors for the top weigh? It can't be that much, but I'm surprised Honda didn't just make a manual top. I think it would be fine; the Miatas find it okay.

[MutantCheese]

Originally Posted by Jim21680

Anyone have an idea of what the electric motors for the top weigh? It can't be that much, but I'm surprised Honda didn't just make a manual top. I think it would be fine; the Miatas find it okay.

Are you insane? The auto top is awesome. I gladly sacrifice the few pounds for the comfort of one of the fastest up/down tops on the planet.

[desmo4]

At least the top motors are in the center of the car. The spare isn't. Put in set of Recaro ProF1 SPG seats and save about 60 lbs.

Jonathan

[Jim21680]

Oh no...I'm not saying I would sacrifice the top motors, even if they weighed a whole lot. I'm just saying I probably would have still bought the car, and driven it very happily, if Honda had opted for a manual top. I don't see it as a huge inconvenience - just imagine how fast you can flip down a manual top. I've seen Miata drivers do it in literally 3 seconds, latches & all.

[Jim21680]

PS While we're on the topic of weight - I've been wondering...

If someone (of course not me...not with my car)....but if someone were to STRIP an S2000 of everything not necessary for driving, how much do you think it would weigh? Now this involves taking everything off - body panels, hood & trunk, windshield gone, airbags, lights, A/C....maybe even exhaust. Pretty much turning the S2000 into something that resembles a garage-built go cart that a couple of teenagers whipped up. Think 1500 lbs??

[Java Junky]

'Place called Gempler's has a good selection'a serious tire-repair'n emergency tire-repair gear at reasonable pricez.

[turbosix]

Originally Posted by Jim21680

PS While we're on the topic of weight - I've been wondering...

If someone (of course not me...not with my car)....but if someone were to STRIP an S2000 of everything not necessary for driving, how much do you think it would weigh? Now this involves taking everything off - body panels, hood & trunk, windshield gone, airbags, lights, A/C....maybe even exhaust. Pretty much turning the S2000 into something that resembles a garage-built go cart that a couple of teenagers whipped up. Think 1500 lbs??

been done on s2ki, guy made his car track only, i forget what he got it down to... 2500lbs or so, not very light iirc

[MutantCheese]

I have thought about removing the spare. I usually put plugs in any nail holes anyways. I keep a plug set and a air pump in my truck at all times. There is just something that makes me feel uneasy about not having the spare available tho. If I shred a tire, a plug won't do me any good. I do have AAA however.

About the auto top; one of my favorite pastimes is to pull up next to a solstice/sky and raise or lower my top....I like to see there pissed off looks and it makes my day..lol

[Java Junky]

I don't play to such'a select crowd Cheese.
My favorite pastime with the top, is runnin' topless'z near'da the actual rain'z I can.
I'll put Stewie'z top up add'a red light. The obvious disappointment on the facez'a the hard-toppers (that the top goez up so quickly'n I obviously ain't gonna be gettin' drenched like they'd hoped) is a truly enjoyable pleasure.
Aaay! Yuh godda ge'cher satisfaction when yuh can, y'know?

[MutantCheese]

true. I do the same thing. Have you ever noticed that when you want to catch a red light so you can raise/lower your top that you catch every friggin' one green?

[Java Junky]

Amen Cheese.
Itt'z'a tough thing'da'doo . . . . but sometimez yuh jus' godda take yer foot oud've'itt'n allow yerself'da get caught by'a red. (Only when absotutely necessary a'course.)

Then . . it doesn't help the case'a puttin'a topp up, when yuh kin jus' drive over 45'n the rain don't come in'a cockpit anyway.
I ain't thrilled drivin' in Stewie fer long periodz'a time with the top up. Too many new noizez'n it gettz'a wee bit claustrophobic if the drivin' not keepin' yer interest.
But, drivin' Stewie in'a wett'z at least'z innerestin'z drivin' Stewie in'a dry.

(With apologiez'da stevet fer the tangent.)

[turbosix]

bought the car used, drove maybe 60 miles with the spare on the back

my diff is fine.

[Java Junky]

Six, I wish yuh nothin' but fair sailin' brutha, but the resultz'a diff'rent O.D. tires on'a rear don't alwayz make'emselvez known immediately.
I hope you got away widd'itt, but jus' 'cauze yuh did don't mean itt'z somethin' whut should be done.
"'Had me a Blazer (a real one) whut blew it's rear some time after it'd been run with 2 different diameter tires."

[MutantCheese]

I wouldn't risk it myself.

[Jim21680]

I'm certain there's a way to get around the need to have the hand brake on for the top to work. In my RX-7, I could pull the lever up just enough to get the brake light to come on, and then the top would work (allowing to raise or lowering while driving slowly). This doesn't seem to work in the S2000. There's probably a basic wiring loophole to get around...anyone know?