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Model 3 has no spare tire

Discussion in 'Model 3' started by jumper4000, Jan 15, 2019.

  1. jkoya

    jkoya NA2 NSX

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    There are a lot of posts in this thread, but it's a good read on why people are purchasing the Porsche jack. I followed @mswlogo and purchased one. It's light, sturdy and works well.

    The perfect Model 3 emergency jack?
     
    • Like x 1
  2. daniel

    daniel Active Member

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    Another alternative is to phone a wrecker yourself. In a big city like L.A. you might be able to find one that can come out more quickly. My regular car insurance contains a line for roadside service. It's just $3 or $4 IIRC. I can call for help, pay cash, and then file for reimbursement. Even if I didn't have insurance, I'd rather pay for a tow that could arrive in an hour than wait for a free one that takes three hours.

    The last time I had a flat was in the Prius about a decade ago. The lug nuts were on so tight I could not budge them. I had no cell service as I was far from town. Fortunately a good samaritan stopped.

    Flats were common when I started driving. They're far less common these days as tires are so much better.
     
    • Informative x 1
  3. tvad

    tvad Member

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    All things considered, waiting three hours vs. one hour is not an awful penalty when it's in Hawaii.

    :)
     
    • Funny x 3
  4. Luudcrs

    Luudcrs Member

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    I sold my 18" stock wheels with tires for $800 on CL when I upgraded my setup. Try CL and you should easily be able to find a single one as a spare for roughly $200 or less.
     
  5. daniel

    daniel Active Member

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    True, dat. :cool:
     
  6. westsidem3er

    westsidem3er New Member

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    00
    Can you let us know if that jack says "safe working load" of 900 or 1000 kgs?

    If you can take a pic of the model number it would really be helpful. I found a similar jack to yours but just wanted to double check.

    Thank you in advance.
     
  7. jonquiljo

    jonquiljo Supporting Member

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    I decided to go with the "Modern Spare" - it will supposedly arrive tomorrow (Thursday). I'll look at the jack if no one has reported back by then.

    I like the "single package" idea with Modern Spare. It's all in the bag - can leave it home or take it with me. I don't do road trips and have no kids - so the trunk is rarely used in our cars.

    It may be 2020 - but I still think a spare is a necessary item - even if it's an optional decision like Modern spare. I have had so many tires get punctured in my life - actually more common in the last 20 years. Most punctures are slow leakers and it's not hard to deal with it - but some are not. If Tesla roadside service was speedy all the time, I would not be as concerned. But the reports of their slowness is not helpful. While AAA can tow a Tesla too, I'd rather have a spare on board.
     
    • Like x 2
  8. house9

    house9 Supporting Member

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    I agree, I wish they had of designed the frunk to hold a spare (and that it came with one)
     
    • Like x 1
  9. rotus8

    rotus8 Member

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    15797544781601272929372191046012.jpg
    Here's the label on my Porsche jack. Safe working load 900kg.
     
    • Like x 1
  10. jonquiljo

    jonquiljo Supporting Member

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    Wow! That's a Porsche 944 jack?! What a blast from the past. I guess "944" would help pick one out for sale somewhere. I've looked at other Porsche jacks and they have an oval protrusion, not a circular one like you show or that the Model 3 needs.

    When I met my wife in the late 80's she had a '87 944. Always in the shop and she got rid of it quickly.
     
  11. rotus8

    rotus8 Member

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    The 944 jack does have an oval nub, out of the box its a bit too big for the 3 jacking points, but easily reshaped with a file.
     
    • Like x 1
  12. TT97

    TT97 Active Member

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    How does working load work? 900 kg is about 2000 lbs. The AWD 3 weighs over 4000 lbs (before all the junk in your car) and as half the car is lifted when you jack it up, wouldn’t that be more than the working load?
     
  13. rotus8

    rotus8 Member

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    I would never use any scissor jack to lift more than one tire barely off the ground. It's for emergency tire changes, nothing else. 2000 pounds working limit is OK, it won't be lifting anything like half the car's weight.
     
    • Like x 2
  14. tvad

    tvad Member

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    I'm giving you a "like" mostly 'cause I dig your goofy glasses. ;)
     
  15. Trolley503

    Trolley503 New Member

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    I’ve got AAA as well, but what good is their roadside assistance if you do not have a spare tire?
     
  16. OCR1

    OCR1 Active Member

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    AAA can tow your car to the nearest tire store where a repair can be done. It’s not as convenient as if you have a spare tire for them to replace but it is better than nothing.
     
  17. Az_Rael

    Az_Rael Supporting Member

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    If I had a spare, I wouldn't need AAA, as I could change the tire myself. AAA can tow me to a shop or to a service center.
     
  18. jonquiljo

    jonquiljo Supporting Member

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    I felt like having peace of mind - especially with the towing requirements of a Model 3. So I got the "Modern Spare". It takes up a big chunk for the trunk, but I never use the trunk for much. And I have the 18" wheels on my Model 3. If I had the 20's - I would really get nervous about a flat.

    Flats are usually fixable, but there is often no place that will fix your flat ASAP. They don't make much money and would rather you wait.
     
  19. Phlier

    Phlier Bluebird

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    Doesn’t AAA offer roadside tire plug service?
     
  20. Atari2600

    Atari2600 Active Member

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    AAA Plus will tow your car on a flatbed for 100 miles 4 times each year. So if you cannot change your tire you can at least get your car to a safe place. I think AAA will only tow to a patch repair location and not do it on the roadside.

    Second plan would be to buy a 5th tire and wheel from Tesla, or if you have custom rims and tires buy 5 of them and do a 5 tire rotation keeping your 5th at home as a spare as needed. Your tires will last longer too!

    Our other car is a 9 your old ICE so we have the AAA Plus. Of course its good for my Tesla as well.
     

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