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The Car Thread ... !
- Thread starter D.T.
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Some marques make you lock into their OEM, but if you're not restricted, I really like Optimas. That said, I've only changed batteries a few times in my life and I've had a plethora of cars. Though my post is highly anecdotal. Warm or hotter temperatures don't affect modern batteries as much as cold does. I believe my car has an auxiliary battery, too. It's technically easy for me to change it at home if I wanted to and save the labor charge. Those with BMWs get shafted. BMW has some fancy black voodoo magic to get a new battery to behave properly and not like a red headed stepchild.
Unfortunately, the Honda Clarity does not come with a spare tire and jack. I would hate to be stranded with a sidewall tear and no way to fix it on the spot. The Prius Prime plug in does come with a spare, but that's a much smaller car and pretty dull.
The Honda Accord just began including a spare after not including them for years. And it's still an option, and it's a temporary tire not meant for more than 50 miles of driving. Most of the Camry Hybrid tiers do not include a spare tire, also a temp. You have to buy the grandest model to get it. Audis come with temporary tires.
In the discussion of spare tire, it almost always infers an actual full size tire. Not a temporary tire. The majority of higher end vehicles eschew spare tires, temporary or full size.
You could always purchase a full size tire and lightweight wheel and store it in one of those coverall carries. I've seen people do it. You're looking at about 17 lb for the tire and maybe another 18-20 lb for the wheel, though I'm going by typical Honda wheel weight numbers. A lightweight wheel meant for a spare should be significantly lighter.
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My last car (Ford Focus) had a full size spare. It really compromised the boot size. In 9 years of ownership I never used it.
TBH I think I've only ever had two flat tyres that needed changing on the roadside in my 26 years driving.
TBH I think I've only ever had two flat tyres that needed changing on the roadside in my 26 years driving.
Come to think of it, the two performance cars that I own don’t even have spare tires included. (Which certain model Sport cars don’t include them). Fortunately I have never had a flat tire, but then again, they only get driven six months out of the year. I Actually don’t mind they don’t include spare tires, for reduced weight and improved fuel-efficiency.
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Likewise I can count only 2, maybe 3 times I've had a flat. Full size SUVs can usually take on a full size tire, and the rumored X7 will have it as an option. I believe some wagons or something like the Forester do carry a spare in recessed format.
But back in the day I used to carry my own toolset in my cars. I've still got my cross lug wrench somewhere in the garage. It's massive compared to what you can get these days. That wasn't meant to sound perverse.
But back in the day I used to carry my own toolset in my cars. I've still got my cross lug wrench somewhere in the garage. It's massive compared to what you can get these days. That wasn't meant to sound perverse.
Love me some TWOD ... but I think this might be the wrong thread
(I honestly don't care, it's a nice change up)
[doublepost=1519822749][/doublepost]So I have a portable rolling toolbox I used to take to track events, haven't been into the bottom storage area in a __long__ time, well, I finally did and I found a bunch of Zaino supplies! Zaino is a really boutique-y cleaning/wax/polish, used to be direct sales only (looks like it may still be the case). Anyway ...
Some of the bottles were near empty, but I had a decent amount of Z5, Z2 (two-stage polish) and some Z6 (finisher + "quick detailer"), decided to use it up! It's a slower process (apply, dry, buff) vs. some of the modern wipe on / wipe off products, but worth it for outstanding results, just doing a small section at a time between knocking around in some code
Obviously you guys who never got a flat or bent rim have never driven in the Northeast after the plows have torn up the roads. But the idea of an aftermarket temporary tire kit is a good idea.
Definitely the wrong threadLove me some TWOD ... but I think this might be the wrong thread
(I honestly don't care, it's a nice change up)
[doublepost=1519822749][/doublepost]So I have a portable rolling toolbox I used to take to track events, haven't been into the bottom storage area in a __long__ time, well, I finally did and I found a bunch of Zaino supplies! Zaino is a really boutique-y cleaning/wax/polish, used to be direct sales only (looks like it may still be the case). Anyway ...
Some of the bottles were near empty, but I had a decent amount of Z5, Z2 (two-stage polish) and some Z6 (finisher + "quick detailer"), decided to use it up! It's a slower process (apply, dry, buff) vs. some of the modern wipe on / wipe off products, but worth it for outstanding results, just doing a small section at a time between knocking around in some code
[doublepost=1519825565][/doublepost]
My B7 had a full size spare. B9 has a donut. TSX had a donut. When I Was getting the TSX serviced, I believe I saw that a spare was an option on the TLX.
Bent wheels. Not good. Depending on the road conditions, speed, how deep the pot hole is, ect, all play a role. And if you have low profile tires with very little side wall to absorb the impact, the end result from the impact can put a bend in the wheel, which can be very costly to repair. Forged or cast wheels also make a difference depending on the manufacturer in their CNC machining process.
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Surprised the B7 had a full. Also surprised the others have a donut. Some of the B9 competitors, which I've checked out, don't even have a donut. Granted, this was at the dealers so they might pop it in afterward. Personally, I think tire tech has made blowouts less common in terms of how much force they can take without a belt rupture or sidewall tear. They had to with the way wheel sizes have gone up. I'm old enough to remember 13-15" wheels being the standard range. You were considered a badass if you had 16" wheels and they looked massive at the time.
The new A6. I think i prefer the A7 design but this is still ok. Seems touchscreens and fake exhaust tips are here to stay sadly.
A lot of these cars are starting to look the same. Its all about rehashing/sharing parts and platforms.
The new Vauxhall GSi, Buick Regal GS, Holden Commodore VXR are all one car in 3 different brands. Granted VAG are masters at this.
A lot of these cars are starting to look the same. Its all about rehashing/sharing parts and platforms.
The new Vauxhall GSi, Buick Regal GS, Holden Commodore VXR are all one car in 3 different brands. Granted VAG are masters at this.
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There were pics of gray interior? I'm curious to see them. Gray interiors don't age well. That color above, darker brown or black age well. Even red interiors if the vehicle is appropriate enough. There were some shots of the A8 a while back with gray interiors and it felt as I'd stepped inside my GP's office, which isn't gray, but has the clinical feeling that makes my skin crawl.
That shade of gray is fine. I presumed you were talking about the light gray, such as the one above the post composing box on this section of the forum where the formatting tools reside. I believe titanium gray is what Audi calls it, and pebble gray what Porsche does. No idea what VW calls it if they stock it.
The color always reminds me of the Staedtler putty eraser. You've probably used or seen it before unless they don't make it anymore.
The color always reminds me of the Staedtler putty eraser. You've probably used or seen it before unless they don't make it anymore.
For the record, I was going to photochop the exteriors with red mirrors ... I figure intent is 90% of the effort
Side note: tan/beige interiors with silver exteriors fill me with ++rage++
Some of the bottles were near empty, but I had a decent amount of Z5, Z2 (two-stage polish) and some Z6 (finisher + "quick detailer"), decided to use it up! It's a slower process (apply, dry, buff) vs. some of the modern wipe on / wipe off products, but worth it for outstanding results, just doing a small section at a time between knocking around in some code
Dang, it looks terrific, I guess it still works
Well, hood, trunk lid, rear quarters so far.
Conversative update to the A6. Always liked the design of the C7. Looking forward to checking out the new tech.
RIP MMI knob
RIP MMI knob