Handling the Unexpected

[Saycol]

This is the heading for page 343 of the Owner’s Guide. There is a description of the Tool Bag which includes the following:

Detachable Towing Hook
Flat-tip screwdriver

What exactly is the point of a screwdriver? Not even a wheel brace or Jack. Apart from the universally derided puncture repair kit, it appears Honda’s philosophy is to be totally reliant on a third party breakdown service to “Handle the Unexpected “. Or am I missing something here?

[Kremmen]

Page 568 includes instructions about tyre rotation.

Now without a jack ............................

[madasafish]

In my opinion the main reason why many new cars don't come with a spare wheel + tools is the "more profit" mentality.

It also makes hybrid car design easier. As i already pointed KIa did better than jazz & HRV & CHR by moving forward the battery

Most drivers today don't use tools on cars.
And with a hybrid, do you really want someone tinkering with the electrical system - the risk if electrocution is ever present.

No tools = no court case if someone tinkers.

[Bazzzer]

I think the alternative name for the screwdriver is the "Towing hook hole cover removal tool".

[Worthingmike]

Why do you want tools. The vast majority of owner don't do any work on there car. Do you want to change a wheel at the side of the road. Even if I had a spare wheel,  I wouldn't. Gone are the days then you could repair you car at the side of the road. A new spark plug lead or new points. Even if you had a full took kit you would also need a good diagnostic computer to plug in. Then the knowledge of how to repair it.

[Jeff15]

In my opinion the main reason why many new cars don't come with a spare wheel + tools is the "more profit" mentality.

It also makes hybrid car design easier. As i already pointed KIa did better than jazz & HRV & CHR by moving forward the battery

Most drivers today don't use tools on cars.
And with a hybrid, do you really want someone tinkering with the electrical system - the risk if electrocution is ever present.

No tools = no court case if someone tinkers.

Where there is blame there is a claim.

[Expatman]

Another reason spare wheels are being discontinued is that the weight of batteries is such that jacking up one corner of a car to change a wheel will put too great a strain on the structure and the jacking point. 4 point lifts are becoming standard and as be we transition to total Ev's spare wheels will become history. Not sure what AA etc will do apart from towing you to s tyre dealer if the sealant gunk doesn't work.

[culzean]

Changing a wheel has got to be the simplest thing ever - my niece ( who has been brought up with cars and motorbikes etc ) even changed a wheel on a Range River for her neighbour ( a 'new age' bloke who wouldn't recognize a wheel brace or jack if it fell on his head ). I did tell her she should have left the useless tw$t to call AA or whoever he employed to fix his car and let him wait a few hours.

[Saycol]

I think the alternative name for the screwdriver is the "Towing hook hole cover removal tool".

Ah, good explanation so perhaps “Towing Kit” rather than “Tool Kit” would be a better description - maybe something got lost in the translation from the Japanese…

I guess I just have to move with the times and accept my wheel changing days are over and put my trust in the AA. And for rotating the tyres to even out wear I’ll no doubt be paying Honda or Kwik Fit to do that.

[Karoq]

Q-Fit are highwaymen. They'll rob you. Try Bathwick tyres. They changed a full set of standard wheels over for winter wheels on my KAroq for £20.

[Derkie54]

Another reason spare wheels are being discontinued is that the weight of batteries is such that jacking up one corner of a car to change a wheel will put too great a strain on the structure and the jacking point. 4 point lifts are becoming standard and as be we transition to total Ev's spare wheels will become history. Not sure what AA etc will do apart from towing you to s tyre dealer if the sealant gunk doesn't work.

I think you're right .......but if you're only talking about one tyre it won't stop some fitters just wheeling the trolley jack under the car and lifting just one corner anywhere they fancy with the jack.

[Expatman]

Another reason spare wheels are being discontinued is that the weight of batteries is such that jacking up one corner of a car to change a wheel will put too great a strain on the structure and the jacking point. 4 point lifts are becoming standard and as be we transition to total Ev's spare wheels will become history. Not sure what AA etc will do apart from towing you to s tyre dealer if the sealant gunk doesn't work.

I think you're right .......but if you're only talking about one tyre it won't stop some fitters just wheeling the trolley jack under the car and lifting just one corner anywhere they fancy with the jack.

Until they damage the structure of the car and then are faced with s huge bill to replace the car. The national chains will lead on this, can't remember when Kwik fit or Halfords used anything but a lift to change a wheel.

[Westy36]

About 1 mile from our holiday destination with a loaded car last month, yep you guessed it, a puncture! Full size spare in the boot, jack, telescopic wrench and a warning triangle. Had the wheel changed, even emptying the boot and refilling with luggage, and back on the road in <15mins!

I have no idea why all this vital kit is not fitted as standard. We've had spare wheels and tools in cars since they first took to the road. Made sense then, and still do a century later. Omission from spec is fool hardy imho.

[Expatman]

About 1 mile from our holiday destination with a loaded car last month, yep you guessed it, a puncture! Full size spare in the boot, jack, telescopic wrench and a warning triangle. Had the wheel changed, even emptying the boot and refilling with luggage, and back on the road in <15mins!

I have no idea why all this vital kit is not fitted as standard. We've had spare wheels and tools in cars since they first took to the road. Made sense then, and still do a century later. Omission from spec is fool hardy imho.

But was it an EV or regular engined car? The weight is going to be the problem.
Another point is that road deterioration is s factor of vehicle weight, UK roads are going to be a real mess as more and more heavy EV's take to the roads.

[sparky Paul]

About 1 mile from our holiday destination with a loaded car last month, yep you guessed it, a puncture! Full size spare in the boot, jack, telescopic wrench and a warning triangle. Had the wheel changed, even emptying the boot and refilling with luggage, and back on the road in <15mins!

Exactly, I'll happily change a wheel myself at the side of the road at my discretion - even though I do have breakdown cover.

I just did a couple of very long overnight journeys through the Scottish Highlands in the last fortnight. I would sooner swap the wheel and be on my way, rather than be stuck somewhere remote, possibly waiting for many hours for someone to turn up.