By the way, pics here: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=10852

Thanks everyone!

Is it a full width spare or a skinny donut spare in that kit?

If it's a full width - I'm still wondering if a skinny donut couldn't be substituted and get back some more trunk space...?

I've seen where it mounts on teh roof of a trunk but I've never actually seen one mounted in the trunk.

thanks,

Per this post, it's a regulation 17" emergency donut.

Seems like the goo treatment would be at least a $600.00 treatment having to replace the tire, valve and wheel afterwards. I might just get the spare and throw it in the trunk. You could only use it in a real emergency, if you followed the destructions.

Howdy,

Just a note, all Australian delivered RX8's come standard with the spare tyre kit (as well as the glue & pump). I won't use the glue stuff unless I get 2 flats at the same time!

I personally don't find the tyre too restrictive and the boot has enough space for my needs.

Also, the BMWs that don't come with a spare tyre, have run-flat tyres which can be driven to the nearest repair shop in their deflated state. Maybe this should have been Mazda's choice instead of not supplying a spare in the USA?

Pappy

My '93 Miata had the small, high-pressure spare. Had a flat in the wilds of Utah and changed wheels, no problem. HOWEVER, the now-flat tire/wheel will not fit back in the small space the spare had been, so it had to go on the passenger seat till I could get it repaired. I know a lot of Miata folks who have pulled the spare and carry goo and a compressor now.

The Chrysler Crossfire also has the goo/pump combination as standard.

Has anyone had a flat tire on their RX-8 and activated the Mazda Roadside Assistance service? If so what was their resolution for the flat tire...tow car?, to where?, take tire to be fixed and bring back?, etc. I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later but would like to be prepared. Thanx in advance, Last_D8

Thanksf or the reference eccles! But by 'regulation' - whose? DOT?

I just was over at BMWUSA surprsing myself that they do in fact have a decent 'options' list unlike Rx8s :( and you can optionally order RUN-CRAPS for your 3 series. I don't know if selecting the optional run-craps means you no longer get a spare w/ teh same car or not.

Poor choice of words on my part - I meant it's a regular emergency donut. I have no idea if those things are regulated, but I suspect some federal body has rules about 'em someplace.

I visited my friendly neighborhood Discount Tire and scrounged a couple of their big plastic bags from them. Carry one in the trunk with the spare (you can zip it up inside the vinyl cover to keep it out of the way) and you have something to put that dirty and/or wet full-size wheel in, so you don't mess up your interior.

Well, I had a flat tire about 2 week ago. Seems as if I somehow ran over a 2 inch screw and had it lodged in the tire. Anyways, the Tire Pressure Sensor worked perfectly. When I pulled over to the side of the road, and check the tires, to my amazement the rear left tire was completedly flat. It was down to approx. 10 psi's. The car actually still manages to maintain traction very well even on flat tires!!! I managed to use the IMS instant mobility system and sealed the puncture and used the included pump to get it back up to 35 psi's.

The next day, I went to America's Tire Company and had the tire patched up. Everything worked out fine but they told me that the IMS sealant could possibly have damaged the sensors. I tested the Tire Pressure Sensor by lowering that tire pressure to about 25 psi and the light came back on.

I tried to refill the IMS bottle at my local dealership but because the rx-8 is relatively still new, they had no clue how much it would cost or even how to refill it? The dealership guy has been looking into this for 2 weeks now without an answer. Anyone know how it can be refill? As for the fixed tire, it has been great.

I guess America's Tire never read the manual where it says you have to trash the tire after you use the goop. The goop is supposed to be incompatible with patch adhesive. I'd be interested to know if the patch lasts the life of the tire. Maybe they know some trick for fixing it.

I went out and bought the spare off Ebay and installed it myself. I think it knocked off more that a third of the useful trunk volume. Still, I'm glad I have it.

Is it possible to just buy the wheel/tire and case separately from the mounting kit? That way, if you need the trunk, you can throw it in the backseat, and if you need the backseat, you can throw it in the trunk. I'd like to do that if possible.

Arrgh!! None of this spare-less concept makes sense to me. Let's get this straight - not having a spare is good enough because
1) you get a bottle of goo which
- is a pain to use
- RUINS your tire
- ruins your valve
- makes replacement difficult
- only works for certain punctures
- you're supposed to get refilled but can't because they sold you the car but didn't bother with the support infrastructure

2) you get "Roadside Assistance" which
- is for a limited time only
- not much use in the boonies
- may or may not arrive in a timeframe that's convenient
- may not arrive at all.
- may be unreachable

Heaven forbid I'd have to use part of my trunk space for something as archaic as a spare tire! Oh, the humiliation :p

I dunno - isn't there something to be said for having a spare ready-to-go that can

- fix any flat in a few minutes?
- doesn't ruin the original tire
- doesn't ruin the valve
- doesn't require a phone call/cellphone
- doesn't require you to wait for someone to arrive
- still gives you the option of the goo and/or roadside assistance

Am I nuts?

You are far from nuts nubo, esp. given how faaaaaaaantastic Mazda service is.

But still, I'd rather do without the mounting frame if I can.

The problem with the goo is that it makes a mess. The tire guys don't like wiping out all the slimy goo in the tire, and on the wheel and valve stem. Also, they would have to grind the area to be patched, so that the patch will stick. On the other hand, if they use a plug, it shouldn't be much of a problem.

Well you can order the spare kit and just not have it installed. Nothing says the tire won't work if the crossbar isn't put in, so you could always just tote the spare in the trunk or the back seat (yikes!) if you thought you might need it. I was willing to part w/ trunk space permanently to have my kit installed, but nothing says I can't pull the spare if I need more room on occasion. I just wasn't about to move across country without it.

My thought are: just to buy the spare but not the entire kit. And throw it in my trunk - hopefully I can secure it myself. I don't want to lose that passthru opening in the trunk.

Also, Does anyone know if I can just buy any doughnut type spare tire that happens to fit (well at least 16" for automatic and 18" for manual)?? Or must it be from Mazda. My thought is - I won't be driving on the doughnut for long anyway.