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From: Fred on 22 Mar 2010 09:37
Hi,

I am thinking of buying a Focus and was reading a Ford brochure. They
do two economical 1.6 diesels: I think one is a Zetec and the other is
the Econetic. The econetic does slightly more mpg. How does the
econetic achieve the better figure? I think it's the same engine, so
is the engine tweaked in econetic or is it that they have reduced the
weight of the car? I notice that the econetic does not have a spare
wheel. Would the weight saved from loosing the spare wheel and a few
other cuts here and there be enough to account for the difference?

I've read a number of cars do not have spare wheels now. Is this just
penny pinching by the manufacturers? What do they supply instead: is
it something like that holts tyre spray I have seen on the shelf in
Halfords?

I suppose a spray is useful if you cannot get the nuts loose (been
there, done that) but surely there are sometimes when a spray just
won't do and you need a spare wheel?

TIA
From: Adrian on 22 Mar 2010 09:41
Fred <fred(a)no-email.here.invalid> gurgled happily, sounding much like they
were saying:

> I am thinking of buying a Focus and was reading a Ford brochure. They do
> two economical 1.6 diesels: I think one is a Zetec and the other is the
> Econetic. The econetic does slightly more mpg. How does the econetic
> achieve the better figure? I think it's the same engine, so is the
> engine tweaked in econetic or is it that they have reduced the weight of
> the car?

A bit of both - as well as minor aerodynamic changes, low rolling-
resistance tyres, different gearing.

> I've read a number of cars do not have spare wheels now. Is this just
> penny pinching by the manufacturers? What do they supply instead: is it
> something like that holts tyre spray I have seen on the shelf in
> Halfords?

Yup. Or runflat tyres.

> I suppose a spray is useful if you cannot get the nuts loose (been
> there, done that) but surely there are sometimes when a spray just won't
> do and you need a spare wheel?

Indeed. As the driver of a 1-series BMW found out the other evening - it
was parked at the side of the road on three wheels and the boot jack...
From: Chris Whelan on 22 Mar 2010 09:54
On Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:37:16 +0000, Fred wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I am thinking of buying a Focus

Not a bad idea...

> and was reading a Ford brochure. They do
> two economical 1.6 diesels: I think one is a Zetec and the other is the
> Econetic. The econetic does slightly more mpg. How does the econetic
> achieve the better figure? I think it's the same engine, so is the
> engine tweaked in econetic or is it that they have reduced the weight of
> the car? I notice that the econetic does not have a spare wheel. Would
> the weight saved from loosing the spare wheel and a few other cuts here
> and there be enough to account for the difference?

Best to see what answer the dealer comes up with :-)

Most of the "specially economic" versions of a car are only listed in
order that a low MPG can be shown. Ford have been doing this since the
'80s.

In the real world, use the maker's data for urban consumption for the two
versions, then reduce this by 10%. This will give you a figure that most
drivers will achieve overall.

Now, using your expected annual mileage, the present cost of fuel, and
the two sets of mpg figures you have, work out the difference in fuel
costs for a year.

The likelihood is you will find the difference to be so small as to not
be worth giving up such "luxuries" as a spare wheel!

> I've read a number of cars do not have spare wheels now. Is this just
> penny pinching by the manufacturers? What do they supply instead: is it
> something like that holts tyre spray I have seen on the shelf in
> Halfords?


Punctures are a *lot* less frequent than used to be the case.Owners want
to maximise boot space. For some folk who would be unable to change a
wheel, and would have to call an emergency service anyway, does it really
matter to them if there's a spare?

Some cars have a can of sealant, some use run-flat tyres, some have an
electric pump supplied.

> I suppose a spray is useful if you cannot get the nuts loose (been
> there, done that) but surely there are sometimes when a spray just won't
> do and you need a spare wheel?instead
>
> TIA

Yep, I personally would never buy a car without a spare. I don't even
like the fact that my present car has a temporary one, and as soon as a
full-sized one comes up locally on eBay, I'm getting it.

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.
From: GB on 22 Mar 2010 11:02

> I've read a number of cars do not have spare wheels now. Is this just
> penny pinching by the manufacturers?

I have a Volvo C70 CC and by the time the roof has stowed itself into the
boot the only space left is the well where the spare wheel would go. So,
Volvo just supply one of those seal and pump kits. I only hope it works!



From: John on 22 Mar 2010 17:08

"GB" <NOTsomeone(a)microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4ba78672$0$2491$db0fefd9(a)news.zen.co.uk...
>
>> I've read a number of cars do not have spare wheels now. Is this just
>> penny pinching by the manufacturers?
>
> I have a Volvo C70 CC and by the time the roof has stowed itself into the
> boot the only space left is the well where the spare wheel would go. So,
> Volvo just supply one of those seal and pump kits. I only hope it works!
>
>
>

I guess that statistically many people in the first few years of car
ownership never change a wheel for themselves. Many punctures seem to
require a new tyre (in my experience) - so why not save costs and weight by
only supplying 4 wheels and tyres - they may even make a "Green" issue out
of it!


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