Thoughts on the spare tire carrier subject
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Thoughts on the spare tire carrier subject
I have removed the carrier 2 years ago, I think it seemed to quiet the car down a little (other people told me that it was quieter, but they did not know I did anything)
How does it help with airflow or drag?
Am I better off having it on or off if empty anyways?
I know it has been discussed about diffuses, but newer cars have a flat bottom, it must be for a couple reasons.
How does it help with airflow or drag?
Am I better off having it on or off if empty anyways?
I know it has been discussed about diffuses, but newer cars have a flat bottom, it must be for a couple reasons.
#2
Le Mans Master
I believe it's part of the rear impact absorption should a crash occur, personally I'd keep it and the spare on the car. Plus having a spare should you get a flat is probably not a bad idea.
#3
Drifting
this is an interesting topic and I'm curious what peoples opinions and logic is.
Both of my C4's have the cover and both of them have the tire missing and I've kept the cover on both cars and haven't noticed any noise from that area (i do make sure the nut is tight).
I had no idea this was possibly part of its rear safety as well?...
Like Pologreen, I've thought about removing them and i bet i would have if i heard rattles but honestly, the main reason i kept them in was i felt it was a good rock deflector and helped to keep that part of the car cleaner and free from collateral damages.
Both of my C4's have the cover and both of them have the tire missing and I've kept the cover on both cars and haven't noticed any noise from that area (i do make sure the nut is tight).
I had no idea this was possibly part of its rear safety as well?...
Like Pologreen, I've thought about removing them and i bet i would have if i heard rattles but honestly, the main reason i kept them in was i felt it was a good rock deflector and helped to keep that part of the car cleaner and free from collateral damages.
#4
I have thought it would be a cool place to put a Nitrous bottle...
#5
Team Owner
At least with the carrier and spare tire, you do have the ability to change a flat tire and the carrier will adjust to hold the OEM tire and wheel. Beats putting a tire and wheel in the cargo area....
#6
Team Owner
I have removed the carrier 2 years ago, I think it seemed to quiet the car down a little (other people told me that it was quieter, but they did not know I did anything)
How does it help with airflow or drag?
Am I better off having it on or off if empty anyways?
I know it has been discussed about diffuses, but newer cars have a flat bottom, it must be for a couple reasons.
How does it help with airflow or drag?
Am I better off having it on or off if empty anyways?
I know it has been discussed about diffuses, but newer cars have a flat bottom, it must be for a couple reasons.
#7
Team Owner
Thread Starter
this is an interesting topic and I'm curious what peoples opinions and logic is.
Both of my C4's have the cover and both of them have the tire missing and I've kept the cover on both cars and haven't noticed any noise from that area (i do make sure the nut is tight).
I had no idea this was possibly part of its rear safety as well?...
Like Pologreen, I've thought about removing them and i bet i would have if i heard rattles but honestly, the main reason i kept them in was i felt it was a good rock deflector and helped to keep that part of the car cleaner and free from collateral damages.
Both of my C4's have the cover and both of them have the tire missing and I've kept the cover on both cars and haven't noticed any noise from that area (i do make sure the nut is tight).
I had no idea this was possibly part of its rear safety as well?...
Like Pologreen, I've thought about removing them and i bet i would have if i heard rattles but honestly, the main reason i kept them in was i felt it was a good rock deflector and helped to keep that part of the car cleaner and free from collateral damages.
My car will rattle windows and things on walls in some homes, now that I have the tray removed I think it cut down on some of the noise that might have some how lingered in that cavity like a rumble.
I heard no rattles when I had the carrier in, but I wonder if it helps with MPG, not that I it's my goal though either.
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mark970 (05-20-2018)
#8
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Better off with the carrier off? I really don't know.
If you are a racer, yes leave it off. If you are driver, put it back on and thank yourself if you ever get a flat tire.
If you are a racer, yes leave it off. If you are driver, put it back on and thank yourself if you ever get a flat tire.
#9
Advanced
Okay, maybe I'm missing something here but in all my years of driving cars (40 years and counting) from GTO's to my pickup truck, I never once thought "hey that old spare tire back there... its just taking up space, think I'll leave that bad boy home". One reason I bought a C4 was the fact that it still had a spare tire instead of run-flat tires like the C5 or later cars. The whole point is if you get a flat you can fix it by using the spare. If it was actually engineered as part of impact protection even better, because my spare is right where it belongs, under the car.
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DGXR (05-22-2018)
#10
Team Owner
I'd like some way to get around So if you replace my car with run flats and delete the spare, fine. If not I will run The spare
#11
Drifting
Okay, maybe I'm missing something here but in all my years of driving cars (40 years and counting) from GTO's to my pickup truck, I never once thought "hey that old spare tire back there... its just taking up space, think I'll leave that bad boy home". One reason I bought a C4 was the fact that it still had a spare tire instead of run-flat tires like the C5 or later cars. The whole point is if you get a flat you can fix it by using the spare. If it was actually engineered as part of impact protection even better, because my spare is right where it belongs, under the car.
I don't have a carrier or spare on my C4 and I have always taken the spare tire out of my other hot rods to save weight. If I go on a road trip, AAA will help and I also take a roadside kit. For the Vette I have a plug kit, 2 big cans of fix-a-flat and a small foot pump and it all fits in the compartment behind the passenger seat along with a serpentine belt, zip ties, a few tools and some gloves. When I am just out cruising the town, all that stuff stays in the garage except one can of fix-a-flat.
Last edited by Krusty84; 05-21-2018 at 01:07 AM.
#13
Team Owner
One reason I bought a C4 was the fact that it still had a spare tire instead of run-flat tires like the C5 or later cars.
The whole point is if you get a flat you can fix it by using the spare. If it was actually engineered as part of impact protection even better, because my spare is right where it belongs, under the car.
The whole point is if you get a flat you can fix it by using the spare. If it was actually engineered as part of impact protection even better, because my spare is right where it belongs, under the car.
When I had a blowout on the interstate having to pull of on the right side and changing the left tire really made me think of the run flats very hard.
#15
Melting Slicks
well apart from all the flat tire concerns
I would suspect that the carrier does affect airflow under the car in a positive way,
I remember reading a thread a few years ago (cant even remember what forum it was on) from someone that ran a c4 on the salt flats - they werent allowed any aero aids in the class they were running but found the car ran faster with the spare tire carrier fitted AND removing the rear number plate !
I would suspect that the carrier does affect airflow under the car in a positive way,
I remember reading a thread a few years ago (cant even remember what forum it was on) from someone that ran a c4 on the salt flats - they werent allowed any aero aids in the class they were running but found the car ran faster with the spare tire carrier fitted AND removing the rear number plate !
#16
Team Owner
well apart from all the flat tire concerns
I would suspect that the carrier does affect airflow under the car in a positive way,
I remember reading a thread a few years ago (cant even remember what forum it was on) from someone that ran a c4 on the salt flats - they werent allowed any aero aids in the class they were running but found the car ran faster with the spare tire carrier fitted AND removing the rear number plate !
I would suspect that the carrier does affect airflow under the car in a positive way,
I remember reading a thread a few years ago (cant even remember what forum it was on) from someone that ran a c4 on the salt flats - they werent allowed any aero aids in the class they were running but found the car ran faster with the spare tire carrier fitted AND removing the rear number plate !
#17
I have considered this myself.....my 85 I am sure has the original back there I am sure....probably is flat, dry rotted to hell..........
It sounds like some of you have no AAA insurance or towing coverage????
In all my years of driving, I can tell you my flat tire problems while driving since the early 80's......hmm....
I would say 0 to negligible....
If anyone here is willing to change a flat on the side of the road with semi's and drunk/inattentive drivers propelling inches by........
Go for it.......my life is worth more than that....
As far the car being safer.......IDK....haven't seen the evidence either way......
It sounds like some of you have no AAA insurance or towing coverage????
In all my years of driving, I can tell you my flat tire problems while driving since the early 80's......hmm....
I would say 0 to negligible....
If anyone here is willing to change a flat on the side of the road with semi's and drunk/inattentive drivers propelling inches by........
Go for it.......my life is worth more than that....
As far the car being safer.......IDK....haven't seen the evidence either way......
#19
Team Owner
I have considered this myself.....my 85 I am sure has the original back there I am sure....probably is flat, dry rotted to hell..........
It sounds like some of you have no AAA insurance or towing coverage????
In all my years of driving, I can tell you my flat tire problems while driving since the early 80's......hmm.... I would say 0 to negligible....
If anyone here is willing to change a flat on the side of the road with semi's and drunk/inattentive drivers propelling inches by........ Go for it.......my life is worth more than that....
As far the car being safer.......IDK....haven't seen the evidence either way......
It sounds like some of you have no AAA insurance or towing coverage????
In all my years of driving, I can tell you my flat tire problems while driving since the early 80's......hmm.... I would say 0 to negligible....
If anyone here is willing to change a flat on the side of the road with semi's and drunk/inattentive drivers propelling inches by........ Go for it.......my life is worth more than that....
As far the car being safer.......IDK....haven't seen the evidence either way......
Gave up on it eons ago.
5 or 6 maybe? Ran over something sharp.
On a highway, it is risky if it is on the road side. Driver side is fine. Choice is dependent on whether you want to wait 15 minutes (Tow truck time for 2 hours) or get going sooner. \