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Will the Model S/X have a spare tire & if not, how is that ok?
- Thread starter de704
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- Driving Dynamics Model S
JakeP
S P4996 ==> P02547
Yep the description is misleading, it makes it sound like there is a separate canister you would attach for plugging a leak, and otherwise it is just an air pump. But it is really more of an integrated system with a replaceable canister contained inside, with a flip switch to activate the canister for leak plugging (at least on the Conti kit, though I imagine Tesla's is similar).
JakeP
S P4996 ==> P02547
I believe you can buy a single spare wheel and tire (or full set of four) via your Delivery Specialist as you enter the delivery window. I saw the pricing posted recently either here or over on the TM forum, I can't recall.
Cottonwood
Roadster#433, Model S#S37
I have the 21" performance, summer tires now, and have a set of the 19" studded snow tires on order. Whenever I want to carry a spare, I will just carry one of the other set with me.
The wheel without a tire should fit. My understanding is that a mounted tire won't fit because you can't close the hood. Without the tire the wheel should be able to be pushed back far enough in the frunk that the hood will close. I don't know if anyone has actually tried a wheel only though.
Cottonwood
Roadster#433, Model S#S37
Well, if Tesla or someone would make a really stylish, aerodynamic tire carrier for those tempting roof mounts, we would have a nice option. That's where I carry my spare on my jeep, but mileage and range are not my biggest concerns with the jeep; it only gets a few 1,000 miles a year on bad snow days and real off road stuff. I'd consider a 10% range reduction acceptable if I could carry a spare on the roof for long trips. Near home, I can always have someone go get it for me.
In reality, I have had two flats in the last 20 years on my cars. One was driving over a sharp, pointy rock, off-road, while rock crawling in my jeep. The other was when I drove over a bolt sticking out of the concrete in my hangar. With today's tires on most roads, the risk is pretty small. After all, I accepted that risk when I drove the Model S 295 miles from Boulder to Pagosa last week.
And the Land-Rover had a really nifty place on the hood (not to mention the place inside and the other place on the rear door). I think it may have even helped the aerodynamics to have the tire on the hood.
My guess is it would be more than 10%, perhaps as much as 20% or 25%. Roof mounted items really hurt aerodynamics because they're usually just square boxes or bicycles. Maybe one that actually sealed to the roof could approach 10%.
Apparently not unless you live in certain states. From the "Model S Safety Information" PDF (http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/default/files/blog_attachments/ms_safety_information.pdf):
These kits seem to be well-regarded (and I can see why based on the design): http://www.amazon.com/Stop-Go-International-Tubeless-Tire/dp/B0018EUDHW/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1359362173&sr=1-1
Accompanied by a compressor they should be as practical as a tube of sealant, but they won't damage the tire or the TMPS. I would keep one of this and a can of sealant plus a compressor in my care. Other than for a complete blowout this should do, and blowouts often come in pairs (I've had two blowouts in my nearly million miles driven, both affected two wheels each) so not even a spare would get you covered in all circumstances.
Accompanied by a compressor they should be as practical as a tube of sealant, but they won't damage the tire or the TMPS. I would keep one of this and a can of sealant plus a compressor in my care. Other than for a complete blowout this should do, and blowouts often come in pairs (I've had two blowouts in my nearly million miles driven, both affected two wheels each) so not even a spare would get you covered in all circumstances.
Last week, my wife's Lexus ES350 got a huge 1/2" hex bolt stuck in the tire. No air was leaking, but the bolt head was thick enough to make the car undrivable. The trunk had a beautiful set of tools for changing a tire and there was a full sized spare. It took little time to change the tire, and there was no rush to get a new tire mounted as it was a full sized spare. In my model S, I would have needed to call a tow truck.
I didn't decide against buying the Model S because of a lack of a spare, but I sure feel a lot happier about Lexus after my experience with that tire change. If I had been in my Tesla, I would have felt less happy about Tesla after the experience. I think spare tires could help generate repeat sales.
I didn't decide against buying the Model S because of a lack of a spare, but I sure feel a lot happier about Lexus after my experience with that tire change. If I had been in my Tesla, I would have felt less happy about Tesla after the experience. I think spare tires could help generate repeat sales.
mknox
Well-Known Member
I agree on both points (my delivery window is Mar/Apr). With my luck, I usually end up with a flat due to a nail or screw at least once a year (usually more often). Last time, I hit OnStar and they sent someone to mount my full-size spare and I was on my way. Only about 1/2 hour late for work. Tesla can send roadside assistance, but they will have to flatbed my car to some place that can repair or replace the tire, and I'm sure that'll cost me more than 1/2 hour of lost work time. What would be cool, in the absence of a spare, would be if Tesla roadside could actually bring a spare to mount on the car and take the damaged tire in for repair. I could then, at my leisure, go in and exchange tires and pay for the damages later.
I don't think a spare is at all useless. As I wrote, with my wife's Lexus, I was able to quickly change a tire (10 minutes?), and be on my way. If it were my Model S, I can't imagine it would have been less than a 1 hour delay.
Run flats usually have compromises and limited selection, and as I wrote my problem wasn't a flat; it was a huge bolt in the tire.
Yes, I would find this quite acceptable. Slower than changing your own tire, but not too slow. On the whole, I'd rather have this option than to always carry a spare tire around with me.
wraithnot
Model 3 VIN #2942 Model S VIN #5785
Once you leave major urban areas, there are lots of spots with no cell phone coverage (at least if you have AT&T or Sprint). Besides, I don't like the idea of having to rely on someone else coming to my rescue- especially for something as simple as a blowout.
