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Old 10-28-2019, 10:36 AM   #16 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,534

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 57.73 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,082
Thanked 6,979 Times in 3,614 Posts
Update - custom bead breaker!

So I've manually swapped about 6 or 8 tires total since I started this thread.

I made a bead breaker to make it easier - just a 2x8 with some fancy woodwork on the end that I use as a ramp. (Note: support the ramp in the middle or you'll crack the 2x8. Ask me how I know!)





Another important thing I learned: temperature is important. I tried and failed to get a tire off a rim about a week ago when it was ~14 C outside (57 F). Couldn't do it. Then I brought the wheel inside beside the fireplace, let it warm up, and it went MUCH easier.


I Also learned that tire construction makes a difference: the 165/65R14 RE92's you can almost install on a rim entirely by hand (and feet). But a RE92 in 175/64R14 size was noticeably harder to do.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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