Shreve

Greetings,


I'm about to buy my first full set of new tires from Tirerack.com. Like most of us, I do not currently have a spare or a donut spare for my RX8.

Sooo, I was thinking of buying a cheap rim and saving one of my old tires for that purpose. Of course it would consume most of my truck; which doesnt seem to terribly bother me.

How does this sound? Would I need to buy anything else? Like a jack or wrench? Not sure what comes in that tidy little 'fix-a-flat" box in my trunk?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Symbioticgenius

its a good idea. Many do it, its safer and better than a donut. and more reliable that a kit. Make sure you have a T bar and a Jack. Always. Also every so often double check to make sure the donut has air. I've heard a few horror stories regarding having a flat, only to realize the spare was also flat. hehe

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

yeah thats what i do but for some reason i keep the spares at home lol but yeah its a great idea i would die before i saw one of those yellow donuts on my 8!

ryanalexander4

iTrader: (1)

1 - Do you know how to change a tire? You will need a jack. Your car should already have one in the floor of the trunk, whether you have a spare kit or not. It's close to the back bumper, under the plastic flap.
2- The "fix-a-flat" box in your trunk contains an air compressor and a sealing agent that plugs small holes for a short period of time. This is in case you have a very low tire, or hit a nail or screw. It enables you to air the tire back up and temporarily seal the hole until you can get to a tire repair shop.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

My donut spare, which I acquired pre-owned here (when the car was new and I too was concerned) now sits in the garage 99% of the time and only goes in the trunk on long trips.

Ask yourself when was the last time you had a flat? It's the 21st Century.

Shreve

Wow - Thanks for the prompt and great feedback! I'll be sure to check the trunk and see if the jack and L wrench are hidden in there.

Any suggestions on where to buy a cheap rim? Dont really care how it looks, just that it fits ;-)

Symbioticgenius

um... really depends where you live. I know we have little (hole in the wall) type places were you can get wheels, and tires for around 50 bucks
I just got two brand new tires for the Altima for 40 bucks, with a 10 dollar discount due to me trading in my old 2 nearly new tires which I previously gotten for free. its all about who you know.

Highway8

iTrader: (11)

I sold my spair tire kit (strut tower bar, mount and tire) because I have never had a flat tire in almost 12 years of driving. Small leaks yes but nothing that kept me from getting home.

Here is what I do and why:

- I dont usually drive very far from home and I have track tires at home.

- I also carry towing insurance so in a pinch I will have someone come tow me to a tire shop or to my house.

- I keep the fix a flat box and the jack in the trunk and I added a plug repair kit, I used to fix tires all the time when I worked at a garage. Its very easy and better then the sealing gunk in the kit.

ken-x8

Check the "for sale" forum here for a rim. Otherwise e-bay. You ought to be able to find a curb rashed one cheap.

It hasn't been mentioned yet, but that can of goop in the kit ruins the tire. It will seal a leak, but you'll never be able to clean the stuff out. I carry a plug kit - under $10 at Wal Mart or similar fine establishments - and have no intention of using the goop. I also belong to AAA.

I just got a new set of tires. I had a spare wheel, so I had the installer put the best of my old ones on it. I keep it in my garage, though. If I get an unrepairable flat locally, then that will give me something to ride on until I can get a matching replacement. If I get one while on a trip...well, that's what AAA is for.

The last flat I got was almost 20 years ago...not a big worry for me.

Ken

SilverHokie

iTrader: (1)

Well I had been doing good for a while. I even put my spare tire up for sale (which didn't sell by the way bastards). So about 3 months ago I was driving though an off-ramp tunnel and BAM...someone broke glass into the tunnel so there was no where to go. By time I saw it...I ran over the whole patch.

Then...got a nail in my tire the next day. Needless to say...I'd go with the donut if you could...cheap and effective. Unless you got cash for a spare wheel and tire. I don't like the extra weight though.

Shreve

Thanks again for everyone's advice! What a great community!

My TireRack Tires came in yesterday which was only 2 days after I ordered them.

I'm gonna check ebay for a cheap rim and also look into the Tire.plug stuff from Walmart