Jez: I suspect that you're right. I will also add that even if I bought
a spare wheel and tyre, there's no place to put it! The base of the
trunk/boot is now filled with electronics. Even my current model can
only take a 'doughnut', though there would be room for a conventional
tyre/rim without the black boxes.
A jack would be useful as I still swap the winter tyres myself. The
jacking points are very low and not really designed for floor jacks.
Martin
On 09/07/2016 1:16 PM, Jez Cunningham wrote:
The answers are Martin (at least in my limited experience):
- if they didn't install a spare tyre there won't be a jack, or wheel brace
(spanner/wrench) etc.
- if you get a puncture and there's no dealership nearby (with your exact
size in stock) you have to call roadside assistance. If you're lucky you
paid for the get-you-where-you're-going service because otherwise you could
be waiting 24-48 hours to get the tyre replaced. Also true on rental cars.
Ask how I know.
I bought a car with regular tyres but (as standard) with an aerosol to
re-inflate after a puncture. However I chose the option of a real
full-sized tyre and alloy rim - it was a bargain at £185 when the tyres are
£100 alone. That option pack also included the jack, wheel-brace, and I
don't know what else because I've never had to unpack it.
The driving force in Europe (that place across the channel from here) is to
increase boot space and to reduce weight - and consequently increase
miles-per-gallon* or reduce pollution. I'm told this is also why the
electric handbrake is replacing the mechanical/cable brake.
Jez
* very idiosyncratic that we in the UK buy petrol/diesel in litres, measure
distance in miles, but use MPG. Even the metric standard
"litres-per-100km" wouldn't work. Maybe now we're going to be outside the
EU we can adopt litres-per-100mi or miles-per-litre?
On 9 July 2016 at 10:22, Martin Walters <mwalters@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
A significant number of 'performance' cars now have staggered wheels
(i.e., wider at the back and, as a result, a lower profile tyre/tire, in
order to maintain a constant rolling radius). That's what my MB C350 has.
The Pirelli tyres are, mercifully, neither unidirectional (symetrical tread
pattern but one direction of rotation) nor asymmetrical (a tread pattern
that changes across the tyre, as in Brian's example). At least they can be
rotated from side to side on the same axle.
My aftermarket winter tyres and rims, however, are all the same size, so
can be rotated at will, except that the tyres (Michelins) are
unidirectional, and can only be rotated front-back. While this arrangement
is inconvenient, I've managed to equalize wear reasonably well around the
car (and for the winter tyres on my Toyota).
Where I do have a problem, is with the move to run-flat (RF) tyres (e.g.,
on Canadian MBs, Audis and BMWs at least) on new cars. These cars do not
carry a spare (I don't know if they even have a jack). RF tyres have a
range of 60-100 km when deflated, depending on to whom one talks. The OEM
RF tyres on MB, and the other German brands, also have subtle differences
specific to that make of car, all in a effort to reduce the harsh ride of
low-profile RFs. I could easily be 60 km from the nearest MB dealer or a
large tyre shop. What do I do if I get a flat? Where do I get a new tyre,
especially on a weekend? Personally, I think the car makers offer RFs as
standard should provide 24 hour roadside assistance as part of the cars
warranty. I have not yet had this conversation with MB.
Martin
On 09/07/2016 3:13 AM, Bill Pearce wrote:
My Lexus has larger tires (tyres) in the rear, but still carries a spare.
That bothers me less than the fact that from the factory they come with
totally asymmetrical tires, i.e. ones that turn only one direction, so
there is no rotation possible. Finding ones that can go from side to side
is a challenge.
But the good news it that it doesn't have run flats. don't get a nail in
a run flat. Happened to a friend, and that was an over $500 lesson.
-----Original Message----- From: Jez Cunningham
Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2016 2:01 AM
To: Olympus Camera Discussion
Subject: Re: [OM] posting about tyres
Nope. ChrisB explained that the front and rear pairs are different
widths/profiles.
Only a realistic option when you don't need to carry a spare (i.e.
they're run-flat.)
Jez
On 09/07/2016, bj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <bj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
A little while ago Chris B told us about fitting asymmetric tyres on
his new Beemer.
It seemed to me that nobody knew what he was talking
about.
Well, a few months ago I had to fit new tyres all round on my
Range Rover P38, and I did what he did, and now, like Chris, in
hindsight regret it.
Here's a picture of the tread on my right front
tyre http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=20389
Notice that the
tread pattern on the RHS of the tyre is very different from the LHS
(interior) side of the tyre.
They WILL grip very well during highway
cruising, BUT if you have a puncture and therefore need to fit another
wheel, unless you fit an asymmetric tyre, you could be in trouble.
They are supposed to be fitted in pairs on the same axle.
These are
Michelin Latitude 255 65 R16
Cheers, Brian
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