Spare wheel vs MPG

[Pooky67]

Will removing the spare wheel and tool kit make any significant improvement on fuel economy over a year? The car is a Mk1 Cupra R and the spare is a full sized alloy. It is covered by breakdown assistance anyway and I'd probably carry a can of tyre repair foam stuff as well.

But is it worth it having to wait for a tow over a simple puncture?

[thinfourth2]

If you spend your entire day accelerating and braking then you will get a small saving

if you spend your entire day at a constant speed your car will be slightly higher leading to slightly more drag meaning slightly more costs.


However assuming it will take at least 2 hours of your time for a puncture to be fixed by roadside rescue i wouldn't even think about it.

[Fatboy]

What does your car weigh? 1200kg odd?
What does the spare weigh? 15 kg odd?

Therefore you'll be reducing the weight by about 1%, not going to have much effect really (IMO)...

[balls-out]

You will get far more effect from:
turning off aircon
windows always shut (drag)
checking tyre pressures
and MAINLY smooth (and slow) driving

[Pooky67]

Thought as much! Thanks for the advice! The spare stays

[Kiltox]

Also - make sure it IS actually covered - some breakdown policies insist you have a spare with you and will not do anything if you don't.

[Chrisw666]

You would be better off having a big st.

[Kiltox]

Chrisw666 said:

You would be better off having a big st.

[Jacobyte]

Combined with other techniques it could be a winner - you know: folding rear seats flat, cadence clutching, etc...

[Kiltox]

Jacobyte said:

Combined with other techniques it could be a winner - you know: folding rear seats flat, cadence clutching, etc...

Hmm.... how much MPG will I gain if I remove my rear seats altogether and turn my Picanto into a (very small) van ?

[HonestIago]

Just go on a diet! I've dropped about 20lbs since January and I swear my wee car feels faster!

[james_gt3rs]

Jacobyte said:

Combined with other techniques it could be a winner - you know: folding rear seats flat, cadence clutching, etc...

I believe that Cadence clutching is a performance related technique, it's not intended to increase economy. HTH

[Jacobyte]

james_gt3rs said:

I believe that Cadence clutching is a performance related technique, it's not intended to increase economy. HTH

So if it improves both performance and economy, does that make it better than a Mazda 335d (mapped)?

[Superhoop]

Jacobyte said:

So if it improves both performance and economy, does that make it better than a Mazda 335d (mapped)?

It might if Mazda made the 335D and not BMW

[vdubbin]

Superhoop said:

Jacobyte said:

So if it improves both performance and economy, does that make it better than a Mazda 335d (mapped)?

It might if Mazda made the 335D and not BMW

:whooshparrot:

[McSam]

Chrisw666 said:

You would be better off having a big st.

A severely, medical-history-makingly massive st