Continental Kit For The Elio

[Ty]

How much does a spare add to the cost? Plus the mounting hdw? I believe I would prefer a can of Fix-a-flat and drive to the next tire repair facility, which I would need anyway. Let's don't overthink this for the base model.

fix a flat is wonderful... unless the flat occurs while driving. I say that because if you are driving, it is highly likely that your tire will shred itself and thus your fix a flat won't do anything.

Now, a spare tire would cost not too much but there just isn't anywhere good to keep one... maybe your garage back home where you'd have to call for help. But, I digress.

Hey, in the interest of well, numbers, I've crunched them. The Elio front tires at 135/80 R15 and the rear tire at 175/65 R15 are almost the same diameter... almost.

Front: 135 millimeters wide changed to inches is 5.315 inches. The profile 80 means that the tire is 80% as tall as it is wide... 5.315" X .80 = 4.252" Now, that's the measurement from the road to the rim. The rim is 15"... So, 4.252" + 15" + 4.252 = 23.504" outside diameter . Now, the rear... I'll save the explanations. 17.5cm=6.88976" ... 6.88976" x .65 = 4.47835"... 4.478" + 4.478" + 15" = 23.956" = 24" outside diameter.

So, with a diameter that is off by 1/2 inch, if you have to carry a spare, make it one of the front ones. They are smaller, lighter, and it won't affect much putting one on the back long enough to be able to repair/replace the bad one.

I was going to figure out the percentage smaller so I'd know how off the speedometer would be till I realized that will run off the transmission and the front tires.

 

[booboo]

Posted this earlier in the thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=135-80r15-175-65r15

65 mph (104.61 km/h) 66.25 mph (106.62 km/h)

 

[Ty]

Posted this earlier in the thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=135-80r15-175-65r15

65 mph (104.61 km/h) 66.25 mph (106.62 km/h)

Thanks. I must have missed it. These threads get too long too fast sometimes to be able to read all the posts. I try not to comment or ask if I haven't done the reading if it seems like the thread might have answered the question. Oh well.

 

[Ian442]

1/2" difference causes over a 1mph difference in reading ?

 

[Ty]

1/2" difference causes over a 1mph difference in reading ?

Maybe. It wouldn't on the Elio if you are talking about the rear tire because it isn't used for anything. It could be a 6" little tire and the Elio would still be dead on right. But, if you changed a front tire -- Well, all bets are off.

 

[Lynn D]

Please take a serious look at the post Quoted. I did a little research and this is a great tire. The inter-lay material is positioned and weighted so balance of the tire is not effected as the goo sealer that is injected into the stem. I have ask EM to place this on the options available list from the contracted supplier of the tires.

We don't need no stinkin fix-a-flat or spares, guess who ?
I read a little bit about run flat tires. Do not like some of the cons.
http://www.continental-tires.com/car/technology/extended-mobility-main/contiseal

I decided to ask ELIO about Contiseal. It's in the mail.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

fix a flat is wonderful... unless the flat occurs while driving. I say that because if you are driving, it is highly likely that your tire will shred itself and thus your fix a flat won't do anything.

Now, a spare tire would cost not too much but there just isn't anywhere good to keep one... maybe your garage back home where you'd have to call for help. But, I digress.

Hey, in the interest of well, numbers, I've crunched them. The Elio front tires at 135/80 R15 and the rear tire at 175/65 R15 are almost the same diameter... almost.

Front: 135 millimeters wide changed to inches is 5.315 inches. The profile 80 means that the tire is 80% as tall as it is wide... 5.315" X .80 = 4.252" Now, that's the measurement from the road to the rim. The rim is 15"... So, 4.252" + 15" + 4.252 = 23.504" outside diameter . Now, the rear... I'll save the explanations. 17.5cm=6.88976" ... 6.88976" x .65 = 4.47835"... 4.478" + 4.478" + 15" = 23.956" = 24" outside diameter.

So, with a diameter that is off by 1/2 inch, if you have to carry a spare, make it one of the front ones. They are smaller, lighter, and it won't affect much putting one on the back long enough to be able to repair/replace the bad one.

I was going to figure out the percentage smaller so I'd know how off the speedometer would be till I realized that will run off the transmission and the front tires.

Outstanding post!!

 

[wizard of ahs]

I'll just carry this and the inflator as I do now in my smart

And my credit card of course

 

[booboo]

Please take a serious look at the post Quoted. I did a little research and this is a great tire. The inter-lay material is positioned and weighted so balance of the tire is not effected as the goo sealer that is injected into the stem. I have ask EM to place this on the options available list from the contracted supplier of the tires.

I do not understand. Are you talking about Contiseal ?
I do not ask ELIO to do things. If I see something that might be doable and I think it worthwhile, I sometimes point out my interest to them. I figured since Continental is the tire supplier, they might find a Contiseal upgrade worth the cost, hopefully negotiated to be minimal, to make customers happier, safer, and potential buyers more interested.
I read a 2009 article that Continental charged $50 more for contiseal, yikes. If it was $5.00 a tire ELIO might make it standard equipment, If it was $20.00 a tire and offered, I would get it as an option.

Tyre seals when punctured- Car News | CarsGuide

 

[nb2Mitch]

Here is my tire question, whille the rear tire seems to be a common size and allot of options, the front tire doesn't seem to have much choice and the one that is available is very expensive and is listed as a temporary tire.

Who is making the tire for Elio? I assume more options may become available after the car hits the road, but it would be nice if it used a more standard size tire.

Front:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?zip-code=&width=135/&ratio=80&diameter=15

Rear:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?zip-code=&width=175/&ratio=65&diameter=15