Getting rid of the spare?

wstar · 04-14-2009, 11:53 PM

The thread in marketplace about selling off the spare got me thinking on this. What are you guys on thoughts on going without a spare for daily driving and/or roadtrips. I'm seriously considering dumping mine, and replacing the lost weight with my own emergency kit that I carry anyways (which sits behind the passenger seat currently).

The kit is pretty heavy, I used a laptop bag and I have (among many tools and jumper cables and various things you'd expect) a 12V air compressor and a tire patch kit (and I know how to use it). I'd much rather patch and re-inflate when possible on the side of the road than drive on a spare anyways. If I ever had a real un-patchable blowout I could always call a flatbed and get picked up anyways. So I figure if I can do it without upsetting weight balance (seems likely, the kit is hefty, maybe a battery relocate would be necessary too though), it's a win for me overall.

Is it a bad idea to go spare-less all things considered?

Also, for whoever's already tried: what about the subwoofer without the spare? Seems like it's mounted on top of the spare, and wouldn't mount correctly without it.

frost · 04-15-2009, 12:07 AM

My vettes and SSR never came with a spare. They just provide a little emergency inflate kit. So, how bad could a kit be?

Anatoray · 04-15-2009, 01:26 AM

As long as you have one or the other and know how to use it or what to do if it's not going to work out, there's no problem. Since you have the bose system, however, I am not sure how well it will work out, because the two subs sit below and above the spare. Of course, it wouldn't take long to check it out. If you're only going for weight reduction, and not trying to get some extra trunk space, it could be possible to build a little enclosure to hold the sub where it would be if the tire was in there.

wstar · 04-15-2009, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anatoray

As long as you have one or the other and know how to use it or what to do if it's not going to work out, there's no problem. Since you have the bose system, however, I am not sure how well it will work out, because the two subs sit below and above the spare. Of course, it wouldn't take long to check it out. If you're only going for weight reduction, and not trying to get some extra trunk space, it could be possible to build a little enclosure to hold the sub where it would be if the tire was in there.

Edited: scratch that, I looked in the service manual. There's only one woofer on mine (Bose w/o Nav), it's above the spare. While I was in there, I noticed that the XM Satellite Radio unit is a separate piece back there too. I don't use it and don't plan on subscribing, I may go ahead and remove the XM unit while I'm in there too. Not sure what to do about the XM antenna though. I may leave it for now and see if I can reuse the same spot for a remote GPS antenna later.

ssqpolo · 04-15-2009, 08:15 AM

i had this same question, because i want to put 2 subs in the trunk where the spare goes. i drive alot! back and forth from tampa to west palm (220 miles each way) almost every weekend. I've actually never had a blow out (knock on wood) in the years of driving my other z, and hope i wont with this one. you already have a compressor and patching kit, so you should be fine. i got my trusty bottle of fix-o-flat (which wont do **** with a blown...but it makes me feel better) haha. so i say if ur all about weight savings then go for it. u can always throw it in there if ur going on long trips.

Musashi · 04-15-2009, 08:22 AM

This is what I use. Even comes with certain vehicles. I like it better then a spare anyway.

Continental ContiComfortKit

nolan · 04-15-2009, 08:32 AM

Had a flat in first 500 miles and had to use spare. The unit does not fit without the spare. Guess you would have to cut the shaft in order to make it fit.

molamann · 04-15-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musashi

This is what I use. Even comes with certain vehicles. I like it better then a spare anyway.

Continental ContiComfortKit

How to Use the ContiComfortKit

Hmm, is it really that easy?

Musashi · 04-15-2009, 10:20 AM

yep. Came from the factory with a vehicle I use to have.

They work great. It's well worth the money. Far better then a fix-a-flat bottle. I have a kit in all of my cars. Even if they have a spare.

OnCallZ · 04-15-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musashi

yep. Came from the factory with a vehicle I use to have.

They work great. It's well worth the money. Far better then a fix-a-flat bottle. I have a kit in all of my cars. Even if they have a spare.

I just ordered three

wstar · 04-15-2009, 01:08 PM

I don't use fix-a-flat type stuff. Have you ever looked inside after using one of those? That junk is nasty, and it will be all over your wheel and tire

Jimmydean · 04-15-2009, 01:17 PM

On the ContoComfort Kit website it said it can damage the TPS sensors in the wheels.. any one that use these have any issues or need to get the sensors cleaned or replaced afterward?

CrownR426 · 04-15-2009, 01:23 PM

Just keep it...
It's not like any of you guys have modded your z anyways.
The only time I would suggest anyone to remove their spare is if their car is heavily modded and carbonded out. Why don't you just lose some weight or turn anorexic if you care about weight in the car so much?
lol...

wstar · 04-15-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrownR426

Just keep it...
It's not like any of you guys have modded your z anyways.
The only time I would suggest anyone to remove their spare is if their car is heavily modded and carbonded out. Why don't you just lose some weight or turn anorexic if you care about weight in the car so much?
lol...

Why don't you post something constructive or gtfo of my thread?

I beg to differ on the fact that my car isn't modded, and I have no intention of putting lame-*** carbon fiber cover-up crap on my car, it looks like **** and it isn't worth the money.

tvfreakazoid · 04-15-2009, 03:23 PM

WOW you drive a lot. I thought I drove a lot from work and home (45 min drive and about hour and half both ways. About 70miles). You got me beat. I was just wondering in about 8 months or you can give us a long term update on your Z.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssqpolo

i had this same question, because i want to put 2 subs in the trunk where the spare goes. i drive alot! back and forth from tampa to west palm (220 miles each way) almost every weekend. I've actually never had a blow out (knock on wood) in the years of driving my other z, and hope i wont with this one. you already have a compressor and patching kit, so you should be fine. i got my trusty bottle of fix-o-flat (which wont do **** with a blown...but it makes me feel better) haha. so i say if ur all about weight savings then go for it. u can always throw it in there if ur going on long trips.

04-14-2009, 11:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	Getting rid of the spare? The thread in marketplace about selling off the spare got me thinking on this. What are you guys on thoughts on going without a spare for daily driving and/or roadtrips. I'm seriously considering dumping mine, and replacing the lost weight with my own emergency kit that I carry anyways (which sits behind the passenger seat currently). The kit is pretty heavy, I used a laptop bag and I have (among many tools and jumper cables and various things you'd expect) a 12V air compressor and a tire patch kit (and I know how to use it). I'd much rather patch and re-inflate when possible on the side of the road than drive on a spare anyways. If I ever had a real un-patchable blowout I could always call a flatbed and get picked up anyways. So I figure if I can do it without upsetting weight balance (seems likely, the kit is hefty, maybe a battery relocate would be necessary too though), it's a win for me overall. Is it a bad idea to go spare-less all things considered? Also, for whoever's already tried: what about the subwoofer without the spare? Seems like it's mounted on top of the spare, and wouldn't mount correctly without it. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

04-15-2009, 01:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	I don't use fix-a-flat type stuff. Have you ever looked inside after using one of those? That junk is nasty, and it will be all over your wheel and tire __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

04-15-2009, 01:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
CrownR426 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Korea Posts: 4,676 Drives: Manual Rep Power: 847	Just keep it... It's not like any of you guys have modded your z anyways. The only time I would suggest anyone to remove their spare is if their car is heavily modded and carbonded out. Why don't you just lose some weight or turn anorexic if you care about weight in the car so much? lol... __________________ Love + Hardwork + Passion RIP SVTRacer

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04-15-2009, 12:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	My vettes and SSR never came with a spare. They just provide a little emergency inflate kit. So, how bad could a kit be?

04-15-2009, 01:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Anatoray Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 794 Drives: 09 BLK 370Z Rep Power: 17	As long as you have one or the other and know how to use it or what to do if it's not going to work out, there's no problem. Since you have the bose system, however, I am not sure how well it will work out, because the two subs sit below and above the spare. Of course, it wouldn't take long to check it out. If you're only going for weight reduction, and not trying to get some extra trunk space, it could be possible to build a little enclosure to hold the sub where it would be if the tire was in there.

04-15-2009, 08:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
ssqpolo Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 882 Drives: '12 Black Nismo Rep Power: 267	i had this same question, because i want to put 2 subs in the trunk where the spare goes. i drive alot! back and forth from tampa to west palm (220 miles each way) almost every weekend. I've actually never had a blow out (knock on wood) in the years of driving my other z, and hope i wont with this one. you already have a compressor and patching kit, so you should be fine. i got my trusty bottle of fix-o-flat (which wont do **** with a blown...but it makes me feel better) haha. so i say if ur all about weight savings then go for it. u can always throw it in there if ur going on long trips.

04-15-2009, 08:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
Musashi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 357 Drives: 09 370Z 6speed Rep Power: 606	This is what I use. Even comes with certain vehicles. I like it better then a spare anyway. Continental ContiComfortKit

04-15-2009, 08:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
nolan Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FL Posts: 18 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 16	Had a flat in first 500 miles and had to use spare. The unit does not fit without the spare. Guess you would have to cut the shaft in order to make it fit.

04-15-2009, 10:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
Musashi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 357 Drives: 09 370Z 6speed Rep Power: 606	yep. Came from the factory with a vehicle I use to have. They work great. It's well worth the money. Far better then a fix-a-flat bottle. I have a kit in all of my cars. Even if they have a spare.

04-15-2009, 01:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jimmydean Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 12 Drives: 05 Subaru STI Rep Power: 16	On the ContoComfort Kit website it said it can damage the TPS sensors in the wheels.. any one that use these have any issues or need to get the sensors cleaned or replaced afterward?