Spare tire?? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

**jimvw57** · 02-03-2009, 11:51 AM

Just curious if people ar experiencing flat tires and if they are being handled by the 'repair kit' or by a service call vs having a spare tire on hand. I hate to waste the space with a spare tire as I drive with the seat all the way back (6'4") The roads I commonly use are pretty good and it has been years since I have had a flat on my cars.

BigWarpGuy · 02-03-2009, 11:53 AM

There is a section on tires in this forum. I think there are those who posted there about flat tires and about using the air pump.

saras · 02-03-2009, 04:56 PM

i've put thousands of miles on motorcycles...no flats..no spares...no worries...
for some psychological reason we put more emphasis on no spare because it is a car... for the time being my spare is a cell phone and an air compressor...everyone has their own comfort threshold....happy driving everyone

Neonspinnazz · 02-03-2009, 05:16 PM

The good ol' spare, they'll usually get too rusty before you'll never even need to use them. Happened to my cousin's dad when his truck finally had a flat after thousands of miles. The spare was too rusty (mounted under bed) to be safely used so they actually had to buy both a new spare and a new tire. We're currently using the rust resistant spare and onboard air compressor combo but the only time the compressor ever gets used is when my bike needs an air boost or when the vehicle load levels itself. As for the spare, it's there for looks

smartHHO · 02-03-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimvw57

Just curious if people ar experiencing flat tires and if they are being handled by the 'repair kit' or by a service call vs having a spare tire on hand. I hate to waste the space with a spare tire as I drive with the seat all the way back (6'4") The roads I commonly use are pretty good and it has been years since I have had a flat on my cars.

Well, I can tell you from experience. You being 6'4" and seat all the way back does not mean a thing. I have my seat ALL the way back. And when I say ALL, it is. I have a spare and there is no issue at all. See photo below.

I have heard about the nightmares of the warranty crap. Get a flat and oh well, get towed to your house due to dealer not open. Or, better yet, NO PHONE SERVICE IN MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. What then. Start walking. I am old school and don't believe in there warranty. I did not buy it, and if I hit a friggin POT HOLE big enough to damage my rim and tire. I am an Idiot. Or a curb for that matter. Oh, and I have a Cabrio also, so I have less room then the Passion hard top or Pure.

Astrid58 · 02-03-2009, 06:58 PM

Hello everyone,

I got my spare holder from Europeantoys.us.

Neonspinnazz · 02-03-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartHHO

I have heard about the nightmares of the warranty crap. Get a flat and oh well, get towed to your house due to dealer not open. Or, better yet, NO PHONE SERVICE IN MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. What then. Start walking. I am old school and don't believe in there warranty. I did not buy it, and if I hit a friggin POT HOLE big enough to damage my rim and tire. I am an Idiot. Or a curb for that matter. Oh, and I have a Cabrio also, so I have less room then the Passion hard top or Pure.

WOW! You fit a spare INSIDE the car!! So much for rust!!
-Thought of spares on a smart has been changed!!

My family usually buys used vehicles so we're used to having no warranty.

What a good example of how "warranties" can have an epic fail!

This one makes the car look even more unique!

jonmills · 02-04-2009, 07:57 AM

I understand what everyone is saying but here in NJ this year it is like driving on the moon. Craters everywhere. Because of the combination of craters and small tires and rims I opted when I picked up the car in December to get the warranty. I walked out to the car this morning and I have a bent rim. The dealer said bring it in and they will replace it. I guess it was the right move. I think everyone should look at the quality of the loacl roads to determine if they need the warranty or not. Expensive up front but potentially very cheap long term.

mvaldes · 02-04-2009, 08:47 AM

NJ roads are awful. I've had and used the tire warranty on other cars and I'm glad I got it for the Smart. Already I've bent a rim on one of the ubiquitous NJ potholes and the dealer replaced it under the tire warranty. (They even offered to have the car towed to them, but since it was holding air, I passed on the tow and drove there.)

jonmills · 02-04-2009, 02:40 PM

They offered the same thing to me. I bought it in Englewood. Good dealership. Bought Mercedes from them in the past.