Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > EcoModding Central
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 07-18-2008, 04:06 PM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: sherman oaks, ca
Posts: 6

Mazda 3 - '04 Mazda 3 Hatchback
90 day: 26.96 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Removing your spare tire?

I know that this of course is a risk if you get a flat tire. But I was wondering, since spare tires are so heavy, how much of an MPG boost this might actually get you. I have a Mazda 3 and havn't gotten over 29mpg yet on a full tank, and I'm looking for ways to get over the 30mpg mark. I live in LA, so I have to deal with traffic and hills, so that makes it harder to get more than 30mpg.

I have AAA, so if I were to get a flat I wonder if they offer a spare tire service of some sorts?

Anyways, on average how much weight do you save from removing a spare tire on a small-mid sized car like a mazda 3?

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 07-18-2008, 04:10 PM   #2 (permalink)
Future EV Owner
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sussex Wisconsin
Posts: 674

Wannabe - '05 Honda Civic LX
90 day: 40.53 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts
The spare and jack on a Honda Civic are about 25 pounds, combined. I took mine out of my car. I put it in when I go on trips.
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2008, 04:12 PM   #3 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: sherman oaks, ca
Posts: 6

Mazda 3 - '04 Mazda 3 Hatchback
90 day: 26.96 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
yeah I think I'll just get a bottle of runflat just in case...and if I go on a long trip I'll put the tire back in.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2008, 04:20 PM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Auburn, NH
Posts: 451

Wicked Wanda - '99 VW Beetle GLS
90 day: 29.59 mpg (US)

Green Monster - '99 Ford Explorer Sport
90 day: 16.73 mpg (US)

Dad's Taxi - '99 Honda Odyssey EX
90 day: 24.23 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Since you have AAA, if you do get a flat just tell them you have no spare and want to be towed home.

IMHO I'm not sure the 25 or so pounds makes enough difference when you do have a flat and you have to be somewhere. If you can change the tire yourself the inconvenience is minimal, otherwise is it worth what you have to go through without a spare?

You're doing fine given your location and fuel saving obstacles you face. Check out the 100+ tricks thread to see where else you can do better.
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2008, 04:50 PM   #5 (permalink)
Hypermiler
 
PaleMelanesian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,321

PaleCivic (retired) - '96 Honda Civic DX Sedan
90 day: 69.2 mpg (US)

PaleFit - '09 Honda Fit Sport
Team Honda
Wagons
90 day: 44.06 mpg (US)
Thanks: 611
Thanked 433 Times in 283 Posts
I agree about the 100+ tips list. I've done 48mpg on a test loop in a friends Mazda 3s (the 2.3L sport version).

I would not remove the spare. It's not that much weight, but the one time you need it, it's worth many MPGs the rest of the time.
__________________



11-mile commute: 100 mpg - - - Tank: 90.2 mpg / 1191 miles
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2008, 05:24 PM   #6 (permalink)
Future EV Owner
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sussex Wisconsin
Posts: 674

Wannabe - '05 Honda Civic LX
90 day: 40.53 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts
If your reason to remove the tire is to save a lot of money, keep it in the car. If ecomodding and hypermiling is a sport for you, remove it.
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2008, 05:39 PM   #7 (permalink)
EOCOCD
 
RiseAbove's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 51

CavalierAttitude - '99 Chevrolet Cavalier LS
90 day: 29.25 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I would start elsewhere to find mpgs. Start with driving habits and aero mods. I currently run w/o a spare, but my car is a commuter that makes a 34 mi roundtrip so I am never too far from help. You may later choose to trim weight from the car, but I would work up to that point.
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2008, 05:46 PM   #8 (permalink)
Ecoformance Engineer
 
Vince-HX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Arizona
Posts: 239

EJ7 - '96 honda civic Hx
Last 3: 58.02 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
yeah, i second that. Removing stuff like spares, seats and stuff like that seems like more trouble then its worth. The place to really save weight that will really matter is rotating weight, like lighter rims and tires.

I posted up my best tank with about 100lbs extra stuff in the car.
__________________

70 mpg or die modding

www.full-race.com

Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
looking forward to seeing what kind of uber-sipper slinks out of the full race skunkworks.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2008, 06:58 PM   #9 (permalink)
EcoModding Newbie
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 61

RSX - '02 Acura RSX base
90 day: 37.87 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Isnt the popular conception that in stop and go traffic weight reduction is more important than aero mods? and the opposite for highway travel? So for him weight reduction could help a great deal. I know a spare is only 25-30 lbs but its the easy weight to remove. Vince is right though rotating weight makes a bigger difference than weight off of the chassis. Vince...60 mpg or die? I had no idea how long did the doctor give you? That well be impressive but from your previous most I can see you doing it. You seem to know alot about tuning. GL
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2008, 07:28 PM   #10 (permalink)
Future EV Owner
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sussex Wisconsin
Posts: 674

Wannabe - '05 Honda Civic LX
90 day: 40.53 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by rsx2002 View Post
Isnt the popular conception that in stop and go traffic weight reduction is more important than aero mods?
Right. Weight makes a huge difference in that situation, which is why I removed my tire. Seeing 7 mpg on my SG when going up a hill with a cold engine made me finally want to take my tire out.

__________________
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Top 5 most fuel efficient tires (Lowest Rolling resistance: LRR) blackjackel General Efficiency Discussion 144 01-25-2016 11:39 PM
Tire pressure (of winter tires) tasdrouille General Efficiency Discussion 20 08-12-2009 01:38 AM
wtb: spare tire donuts, MN or WI 125/80 R13" Ryland For Sale 1 06-28-2008 01:16 PM
Outside spare tire drag on SUV? Xringer Aerodynamics 20 06-06-2008 11:22 PM
Article: Green push hits tire makers MetroMPG General Efficiency Discussion 0 12-16-2007 07:14 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com