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Had a little PDR work done last week on the quarter panel…couple of really small dings but they were bugging me. While removing the hatch plastic in prep, I was prompted to check the donut spare and discovered it only had about 10 psi. I confess that it’s probably been 5 years since I even lifted up the hatch carpet.
Just thought I’d post in case there’s others out there, like me, that might need a reminder.
Had a little PDR work done last week on the quarter panel…couple of really small dings but they were bugging me. While removing the hatch plastic in prep, I was prompted to check the donut spare and discovered it only had about 10 psi. I confess that it’s probably been 5 years since I even lifted up the hatch carpet.
Just thought I’d post in case there’s others out there, like me, that might need a reminder.
also a good item to check is for water underneath the spare tire. The hatch drain tubes can block and water will pool in the bottom of the spare wheel well. Seen several FD with holes rusted through this location!
My thought process (personally) was that my insurance covers tows, and if I'm well away from home then I'll likely be trailering the FD. So regardless of where my car is I'll be able to recover it and get it home.
It will elevate the cover a little, not that noticeable and it’s a cheap insurance, I got mine off of Craigslist for like $25. IIRC the 1st Gen Mazdaspeed3 also carry the same size spare in black, might be easier to find than the RX-8 since not all of them come with spare.
Another option for a relatively stock vehicle is to grab the spare out of a 2nd gen (93-97) Ford Probe. Same 67.1mm hub as the FD, they're black and cost maybe $15 at a salvage yard
My thought process (personally) was that my insurance covers tows, and if I'm well away from home then I'll likely be trailering the FD. So regardless of where my car is I'll be able to recover it and get it home.
Had the same thought on an antique car of mine…I’ll just have it towed. I got a flat on it, but by the time they drug it onto the flat-bed the tire was fubr’d. And that was with a sturdy old steel wheel.
Now I try to avoid a tow whenever possible.
Anyone know where we can get replacement tires for spare wheels? These are ancient at this point, and I'd hate to have to drive on mine for any appreciable distance - even though it is not cracked or anything, and still holds air. I looked on Tirerack not very long ago, and could not find a replacement tire.
I contemplated selling it. However, with the way things are going now with prices, I’m going to keep it in my basement. No sense in carrying something I can’t use. My bbk won’t clear the small spare.
pretty sure you can find a replacement tire for it. Gotta double check the size on it…
Anyone know where we can get replacement tires for spare wheels? These are ancient at this point, and I'd hate to have to drive on mine for any appreciable distance - even though it is not cracked or anything, and still holds air. I looked on Tirerack not very long ago, and could not find a replacement tire.
Tire rack has replacements for the RX8 wheel, not sure about the original 16" FD temp spare.
I stuck an oem FD 17" spare in mine, no point carrying a spare you need to remove the brakes to fit
I hate the idea of anyone towing my FD, I'd much rather drive it home on a spare.
Wait! You’re telling me they made a 17” spare for our cars?!?! It’ll actually clear a bbk??
why are you posting things that will just give me more financial debt?!
Wait! You’re telling me they made a 17” spare for our cars?!?! It’ll actually clear a bbk??
why are you posting things that will just give me more financial debt?!
Yes, same spare as the RX-8. If you haven’t, check out this thread by @jza80. That’s what prompt me to search for one on Craigslist haha.
I think spare tires are a leftover from another era. Tire technology used to be really crap and having to put on a spare was a common thing to happen. Also before cell phones that was the only way you could get moving again.
If your FD can't get onto a flat bed wrecker (or you don't want to put it on one) you should re-think that. Something as simple as a blown clutch line can put you on the side of the road needing a tow - been there, done that.
My advice is to carry a small air compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter and maybe a plug kit. Most common problem is having a screw or nail in a tire with a slow leak - if you can air it up and get to a tire shop you are good to go. If you have a catastrophic tire failure, call a tow truck. Also if you keep up with your tires - replace when they are worn or too old (mine are about at that point!), keep them aired up, keep a good alignment so they wear properly - that minimizes the chance of a problem big time.
If you do want to eliminate the spare tire, LRB makes a panel that replaces the cardboard stock panel to make for a solid hatch floor for carrying stuff. Without it that cardboard panel has no chance.
Disagree. Personally I’d MUCH rather throw the donut on and drive home or to the nearest shop to properly fix a flat. Especially over having to watch it get drug onto a flatbed with my modestly pricey aluminum wheel and tire still flat and probably not rolling. And I even have zero deductible tow coverage.
I’ve used a compressor like you describe for autox events. You could take a nap in the time it would take to air up a flat. So they’d be worthless on anything that leaks fast enough to make you pull over in the first place.
Also if you use a plug on a tire, it almost certainly compromises it’s integrity. It’s no longer Z or W rated for sure. My tire shop won’t touch a tire that’s been messed with like that.
I’ll keep my spare. Just need to remember to check it more often.
I think spare tires are a leftover from another era. Tire technology used to be really crap and having to put on a spare was a common thing to happen. Also before cell phones that was the only way you could get moving again.
If your FD can't get onto a flat bed wrecker (or you don't want to put it on one) you should re-think that. Something as simple as a blown clutch line can put you on the side of the road needing a tow - been there, done that.
My advice is to carry a small air compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter and maybe a plug kit. Most common problem is having a screw or nail in a tire with a slow leak - if you can air it up and get to a tire shop you are good to go. If you have a catastrophic tire failure, call a tow truck. Also if you keep up with your tires - replace when they are worn or too old (mine are about at that point!), keep them aired up, keep a good alignment so they wear properly - that minimizes the chance of a problem big time.
If you do want to eliminate the spare tire, LRB makes a panel that replaces the cardboard stock panel to make for a solid hatch floor for carrying stuff. Without it that cardboard panel has no chance.
Dale
pretty much every new Mazda since the Rx8 has had a little compressor and a can of fix a flat instead of a spare. if you think about it, its actually quite rare that you need the spare and jack, so why carry it the other 99.9999% of the time?
… if you think about it, its actually quite rare that you need the spare and jack, so why carry it the other 99.9999% of the time?
In my experience probably on the order of things like burned out headlight bulbs, failed fuses. Roll the dice I guess.
* Mazda was probably motivated to go with little compressors and aerosol cans as much to save money, space and aid engineering. Good luck with either if its a fast leak or the tire bead was broken. It also goes along with the average owners penchant to just call for a tow or roadside assistance rather than do anything themselves.
But then their cars probably aren’t low production, with low ground clearance, aluminum suspension components, aluminum wheels, and fragile plastics (think belly pan) being towed by someone who may or may not have enough education, equipment and experience to do it properly.
But he’ll still hand you a release form to sign before he tries.
I can see the point for carrying and not carrying a spare, last time I use a spare was 2 years ago so rare but not never, and that was on my daily. Basically woke up one morning after my daughter's birthday celebration at a remote location with a flat (slight cracked sidewall), have to get to work in 40mins so throw on the full size spare in 5mins and be on my way. Calling a tow will probably take more than an hour so I won't bother waiting for them, I used to max out my AAA two tow allowance yearly for several years and they always take their sweet time (1-3hrs wait). I waited 2 hours one time for them to come tow me 1/4 mile home, I could've push it home faster than them lol.
Now I don't know the FD will ever run into these situation, but since I already have the RX-8 spare I'll keep it in there, but for those who don't have a spare can probably look for a different solution like the one Dale mentioned.
I can see the point for carrying and not carrying a spare, last time I use a spare was 2 years ago so rare but not never, and that was on my daily. Basically woke up one morning after my daughter's birthday celebration at a remote location with a flat (slight cracked sidewall), have to get to work in 40mins so throw on the full size spare in 5mins and be on my way..
That's the situation where the 12v tire pump comes in handy.
We drove to San Antonio in our van (do that trip about once a year to see my mom) and in the morning one tire was VERY low, it had picked up a nail. Aired it up with the compressor, easily drove it to a tire shop, and had the tire professionally patched. The compressor only took a minute to air it up.
The RX-8's chassis wasn't designed for a spare tire. All RX-7's were with a well to put the tire in. Most of them had the "IMS" - Instant Mobility Kit, which was a 12v inflator pump and a can of Fix-A-Flat. You could opt for a spare tire kit (my RX-8 came with it) but it literally eats up half the already small trunk. Brace that goes from left to right on the trunk and the tire bolts to that at an angle. I removed that whole thing VERY quickly when I got the car - I need trunk space for work, as little as it is. I carry a 12v inflator and a lithium jump pack in the spot where the IMS kit would go.
It's just all down to your comfort level. If you just drive the FD around town as a 2nd car, just leave the spare at home and if you need it get someone to grab it and bring that and a GOOD floor jack. Going on a trip it may be worth bringing, again with what your comfort level is. I actually had a failed valve stem one year at Deal's Gap - we took the tire off, threw it in another guy's car, got it fixed, and put it back on. I'm not going to drive 8 hours going home on a spare - it's just for TEMP use, remember!
Good timely discussion here. When I got my FD, one of the first things I found was the spare was flat. From the pictures above, it looks like I may have the 17" FD spare - mine is yellow like the one pictured, and it's an Enkei wheel, but I'd have to check the size markings to verify it's a 17" and not the 16" FD spare. Were the 16" FD spares also mounted on yellow Enkei wheels?
Anyway, for my flat spare tire I had a local shop try remounting and inflating it, as when I tested it I found it was leaking air from the bead. The remount improved it, but it wouldn't hold air much beyond a week. So I gave a can of fix-a-flat a try, and it's been holding the 60psi sidewall spec pressure ever since. But I wouldn't trust that tire to get me more than a few miles to the nearest tire repair place, so I'm going to see if I can buy a new spare tire.
In my experience probably on the order of things like burned out headlight bulbs, failed fuses. Roll the dice I guess.
