Paculdo

is this a good idea?

this is my new daily driver (well.. my wife's).. only driven 14 miles x 5 days per week..

if ever (knock on wood) we get flat, i can just call a friend to drive us back to the house and pick up the spare hehehe..

Pickles

Waste of time....will make absolutely NO difference.....except to inconvenience the persons in the car in the unfortunate event that you have a puncture.
Cheers, Pickles.

Paculdo

on my other car, it didn't come with any spare tire at all!

so when i was trying to figure out some noise coming from the trunk - i took it out and the plastic that holds the tire (with the tools) is a bit loose.. and then thought, do i need to put this all back? or just completely take it out.. hehehe

if it's no difference, then i'll put it back in thanks!

Swoody

Obviously there will be a weight savings...whatever all that stuff weighs....I mean heck people take out back seats, trunk liners, carpet etc... to lessen weight. What gains are there to be had??? IMO that weight is probably better suited over the rear tires than not....now if there were something you could part with near the front, it may at least help handling ....

Zeee_Q

I agree. Personally I would leave the spare in because the weight and gas saved will be very small. Changing our driving styles would have a much bigger impact.

Guilty

I would suggest that you go to the gym if you'd like to save some weight... j/k

Paculdo

^^ nice one...

Exacc

The gas you save may be lost with the trip back to your house to pick up the tire...although I guess saving weight technically will let you save on gas...spare tire is one, and I am sure there are other things, when combined, will help save you gas. Perhaps consider one of those flat tire repair cans, in place of your spare tire, that way you don't have to leave the car, and drive home.

Sure you can improve your driving style too, but given same driving style...less weight will always prevail...maybe remove some drag too...remove your rear spoiler may help. Its never just one little thing though, it is usually a lot of small things that will add up to be noticeable.

USCGTO

You bought the wrong car buddy.....

14 miles 5 days a week = 70 miles a week = 280 miles a month ~ 3500 miles a year.

If you get 15 miles to gallon right now. That's 235 gallons. $940/yr ($4/gallon)
If you get 15.2 miles to gallon later (you won't actually) that's 230 gallons ~ $920/yr

Paculdo

i knew it!! should've listened to my wife telling me to get a versa or prius instead

503C43 ////AMG

I removed the spare, jack, and kit in the rear. It saved about 50 lbs but it was not noticeable in seat of the pants feel or in gas consumption.

Now if you combined that with some other weight savings (i.e. lightweight rotors, lighter rims, etc...) you would definitely see a difference in acceleration and stopping but you have to ask yourself is this is a drag racer? It sounds like it is your weekend car and dropping 50 lbs. isn't going to make you that much quicker or save you that much gas.

Paculdo

thanks.. just tossed the idea since i took it out.. some newbie questions the i thought.. never hurt to ask right? thanks y'all

JimmyR

If weight is a concern you could try never filling the tank past 1/4 full. There must be a few lbs saved in not having a full fuel tank.