Anyone actually carry/use the stock spare?

[obaa996]

Just curious if anyone actually carries (and needed) the stock spare....
Seems it consumes most of what little trunk space exists in the RT, and I wonder how serviceable it really is in case of a flat... I thought of ditching it this weekend and just getting some fix-a-flat (or something similar) to enable hobbling home; the extra space would be great. My only reservation is how to get rid of the bolts holding done the jack and spare; they don't look like they simply unscrew.

P.S. Took a spin through the backroads of PDX this past weekend with the Porsche club; I think they were rather surprised to find out that Dodge's can actually make right hand turns....

 

[slaughterj]

My understanding is that it also serves a safety function for rear-end collisions - can some clarify this?

 

[C O D Y]

Correct. Safety Feature.

My understanding is that it also serves a safety function for rear-end collisions - can some clarify this?

 

[lleone]

Last I knew, the safety feature aspect of the spare is still under debate. If it is an integral part of the car's structure, it wouldn't be a removable item much less something that was provided for use in emergencies. DC would be exposed to huge liabilities resulting from the customer who uses the spare and is then injured in a rear-end collision.

The more relevant question is: "Do you really want to lighten up the rear-end of a Viper?"

 

[garolittle]

I always carry it. So far, however, I have never needed it. The possible safety feature is nice too.

 

[Snake Bitten]

I replaced it...With two 10 lb Nitrous bottles, and a cool billet dual bottle mount...priorities, ya know?!?


Oh yeah, like that little donught's gonna save your life!

 

[V10 MOJO]

its a spare tire, theyre not a saftey item. like someone above stated, thatd be one helluva liability to claim a spare tire as a noted safety feature and then in doesnt do its "job". its nice to know its there if you dont carry AAA, otherwise make room for amps, NOS and anything else you can cram back there, LOL

 

[Brad04Mamba]

I actually had to use it. I was about 10 miles from home, no cell phone. Decided it was easier to change the tire than to call AAA have it towed to a closed dealership, wait for a replacement tire (it was totally destroyed), etc. I actually had to hide the wheel until I could come back later with the Durango to pick it up since it wont fit in the back of the car. Worked pretty good.

Brad

 

[BigCarrot]

I took mine out. The bolt comes out pretty easily. Once it's loose, it just has a slot that you slide it out of.

 

[MHQC]

I replaced it...With two 10 lb Nitrous bottles, and a cool billet dual bottle mount...priorities, ya know?!?

The only safety issue with Gerald's car is the missing sticker, "DO NOT STARE DIRECTLY AT THE SURFACE OF THE CAR OR RIMS, EXCESSIVELY BRIGHT REFLECTIONS CAN DAMAGE YOUR VISION".

 

[scottgf]

Hello,
I have used my spare once, for a flat rear....
It worked fine , I was about 40 miles from home.
I am glad the flat happened AFTER I dropped my date off...I had to put the rear tire on the passenger seat....I think I could have put it in the trunk sideways and used the hold down strap to hold the trunk down....what a great design....
As far as the safety thing goes.....I have heard and also I think it says in the owners manual it IS a safety device.
I leave mine in the trunk...I also carry a little air compressor and some fix a flat.
Cheers,

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Last I knew, the safety feature aspect of the spare is still under debate. If it is an integral part of the car's structure, it wouldn't be a removable item much less something that was provided for use in emergencies. DC would be exposed to huge liabilities resulting from the customer who uses the spare and is then injured in a rear-end collision.

I agree. Does anybody know if cars are required to pass safety test with the spare removed? I would guess they would, but being that the requirements are government mandated it's anybody's guess.

 

[Matt M PA]

If memory serves me, it is indeed a safety feature and has something to do with if the car is rear-ended. I also seem to recall that the Viper racing series states that the sapre must be in the car. I do remember during a CAAP tour that this was brought up and verified by them. (All from distant memory, so pleae correct me if I am wrong.)

 

[Ron]

The spare helps prevent the rear trunk lid from decapitating you and your passenger from behind.

Remove at your own risk....

 

[Steve Miehe]

I took mine out and replaced it with a Kenwood amplified woof.....

 

[SylvanSRT]

i think it is part of the crumple zone in car, additionally Viperdays will NOT let you run w/ spare in car(street cars at least)! And you never know when you might need it!

 

[Ron]

I think you meant "without"

 

[SylvanSRT]

i did mean that viperdays will not let you run "without" the spare in the car.

 

[SUN RA KAT]

Snake Bitten says

Oh yeah, like that little donught's gonna save your life!

When you get pulled over for exceeding the speed limit, Snake Bitten, it is general knowledge that offering a donut to the officer will cause him to smile and eat instead of issuing a speeding ticket to you.

 

[Newport Viper]

replaced mine with a new set of Titleist irons and woods! 2 cans of fix a flat. Do you think one can would actually do it?

 

[Sean 96 McViper]

A word of warning to all who just carry fix-a-flat. If you get a slow leak, you may not notice that one of your rear tires is low on air. When the air pressure gets under about 10 psi or so all that torque will break the bead on the rear tire even when you are not stomping on the gas. If you break the bead fix-a-flat will not be much help to you.

I have had this happen to me before when I had a slow leak. Luckily I was about 1/2 a block form a gas station...

 

[obaa996]

Aw fudge... I can't see how that thing might someday save my life, but I guess I better leave it in there just in case (prudent dad and all)...
Thanks again guys...

 

[Ron]

Hence the reason why I installed a SmarTire pressure monitoring system.

 

[slaughterj]

Hence the reason why I installed a SmarTire pressure monitoring system.

You know you can't just drop that out there without explanation - info please!

 

[Ron]

OK, a reprint from an old post:

For those of you that love gadgets and those who don't have a pair of those finely calibrated buns, the ones that allow you to "feel" when your 35 series tires are a pound low on air, might I suggest a Smartire wireless air pressure monitoring system.

I purchased mine from Jon B @ Partsrack. Installation requires removing the tires (which I had to do anyway as I was upgrading to forged wheels) and strapping on the 1.48 ounce sensors. The sensors are color coded, so you know which tire is reporting.

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The sensor reports air pressure (accurate to 1.5 psi) and internal tire temperature (accurate to 5.4 degrees). In addition, it will warn you via a red light and audible signal if a tire is above or below a preset limit (which you set) and above a preset temp.

I found every tire pressure reading exactly the same as or within a pound of my external gauge, so quoted accuracy seems correct. The sensors are rated to 200 mph, have a > 5 year battery life (non-replaceable). Replacement senors list for about $50.00 each.

I mounted the LCD display just below the dimmer rheostat. Easy to read and use. Requires just a switched power and ground connection, easily had by piggybacking a fuse under the dash.

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More details can be found at Tirerack's website , but I found Jon gave a better price. In fact, it dropships from Tirerack anyway.

SmarTire Web Site