Tires and repair

https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/6067759f11bb540016544539

When it comes time to swap snows for summer tires can my mechanic lift the Aptera on his hoist? Are there underbelly supports to allow this?

I was told the cover would not touch the ground during a complete flat ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The Off Road cover is on my list... only because there are too many primitive roads in AZ

(I do like the “look” of the covers for this aerodynamic vehicle)

But until I see this in real life I can’t say much more.

As with time there will also be aftermarket options I suppose...

Regarding the Michelin Uptis airless wheel... Because of the primitive roads out here I was following their original Tweel used on slower moving Vehicles

The Uptis is the first highway speed wheel and the Bolt will be able to report back on its use

I wonder if Aptera’s in wheel motors and suspension would cause the airless wheel choice, with its rim a “No Go” ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/5eebd550c7c38f0017ec1a00

tire looks like if it deflated to a nail on the road, the whole cover would hit the ground too, this is big safety problem b/c user cant roll his way to a stop at roadside, there should be a rubber run flat like the a small version of Michelin tweel to allow just enough roll and ground clearance so rocks dont get stuck between wheel cover and ground causing car to slide on rock. the rubber would also protect hub motor and cover from damage of hitting ground hard with cars weight on it.

wheel cover should also have a sliding structure for the bottom part of cover to stay extended as it already is but if some rock or something sitting on road hits the bottom, it will just slide the bottom part upward along the wheel. the cover can be a bending material that is stiff enough to maintain structure against wind force but flexible enough to bend into the housing above. it can fold up to expose the wheel as much as the lowest position of the cabin. for off paved road driving, cover should be removable to be thrown into storage in car or left at home.

this allows optimum performance different wheel types given to be able to adapt to different tire sizes according to personal needs ex. it maybe more efficient to ave large diameter wheel for non highway driving but its better for people who do everyday mostly highway driving to have smaller tire, and smaller tire allows less force of road bumps getting into cabin (less bumpy ride), which is a deal breaker for many 2 seater buyers (better to sell a personalized less efficient aptera than lose a customer to another 2 seater).

user can enter parameters of a tire like max grip, diameter, tire patch length width etc to aptera app, then it will tell you what speeds are recommended to drive in for highest speed per energy and what the performance limits of the car would be accordingly, considering aerodynamics, wheel rpm, momentum etc

https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/604edbd706678e0015f41318 user friendly manual suspension adjustment can allow for smaller spare tire, b/c why carry around heavier more space taking spare tire if u can do with a small one, besides it'll be in use only temporarily

I have used the Green Slime , Goop, etc., many times. It mainly works on thorn punctures in slow tires such as bicycles, or mowers.

If you have a screw or nail in the steel mesh, you can remove it, apply glue, and re-insert it and grind any excess screw down. That will last a long time.

Having driven a BMW i3 with the 20” wheels for 4 1/2 years, I have to relate that flats are a big problem with those ”low sidewall” tires. I just hit a pothole in a shopping center and had to get the car towed to the local BMW dealer who, although the exclusive provider for the tire and car service, carries NO tires of the proper size and I had to rent another car for FOUR days waiting for them to get the ONE AND ONLY TIRE that car needs from the ONE AND ONLY DEALER for the car and tires locally.

The pics here show a “thicker” tire vertically and that will probably help. However, I have NEVER had the emergency GOOP kit and compressor work well enough to limp home.

Also, regarding Road Service coverage, my insurance only pays to tow you to the CLOSEST service station/dealer/tire store, and NONE of these carry the tires I need. So I think we ought to plan for at least carrying a spare tire carcass on long trips so some podunk station can help us by remounting it.

Really I Appreciate The Effort You Made To Share The Knowledge. This Is Really A Great Stuff For Sharing. Keep It Up . Thanks For Sharing. Sugar Land Towing

Check out this tire changing set up for those wishing for help.https://www.amazon.com/BEETRO-Electric-Hydraulic-Inflator-Wrench/dp/B08J3R8T3K

If you do have a flat on the back wheel, seems like you are running at least some chance of damage. What about using a Dualie instead of 1 rear wheel. That way if one goes flat, you dont drop down to the road and can probably get to a fixit. Maybe you dont need the inflatable then. I imagine one on which you use two smaller sized tires, and each tire would be cheaper, to some degree. I do not know how that affects skid, braking, aerodynamics, etc. Maybe you get a little better braking and anti skid if its a little wider combined. Anyway, makes me wonder. Could work on all 3 tires.

So I don't quite understand the design of the in-wheel motors. I live in snow country (Alaska), and I always swap out my tires for studded ones in the winter. I always keep these studded tires mounted on dedicated wheels so I can just remove the summer wheels/tires and install the winter set without needing to remove the tires from the wheels. Am I correct in assuming I would not be able to do this with in-wheel motors? Are the motors integral to the stock wheels?

TIRE SIZE?

Will I be able to change the tire? retail tire store? (they have hub motors) can I balance the wheel? or is that special too? I have a tire changer and tire balance I would assume those work if any store can do it.

If I want to buy tires what kind are they? Is it a special custom Aptera tire? Can't they post some serious specs on the car? Does it have a car jack? is a special one needed? Actually, they must be working on a user manual for the car - why not post the PDF of that when it's done?

Yes and I believe for the rear lift point.....there was a very small designate lift point on the underside of the Aptera 2e, when I saw that prototype vehicle at a roadshow, but did not actually look at that detail. I looked 🧐through some old photos but could not see these points, but then you don’t want to...on this aerodynamic vehicle

From their August 18th 2019 FB post i asked;

Where are the lift points to lift the vehicle in order to change tires? Aptera_Motors On the lower A-arms and in front of the rear tire. 1 Daniel Watkins Aptera_Motors is there an eye bolt port to pull the vehicle onto a flatbed if needed? Aptera_Motors Daniel Watkins there are loops in both the lower arms so you can pull it from either side ;)

It would have to be a custom jack. Having driven an EV for over 5 years, I am not sure what spare parts one would need? There are only 3 moving parts on the Aptera, essentially.

Aptera is so different and new to the market, i think it would be foolish not to carry a jack and spare tire. Maybe a few other parts.

Yes😔 I will get over it...Just have never lived with that...I understand the importance of the weight of a compact spare (~20#?) and a steel jacking system(9#?).... and avoiding the need to jack up the vehicle.

There are roadside services in some big US cities that will bring out an inflated spare

We know the low roll resistant tire size from the old Aptera 2e, I trust a “common“ size and wheel bolt pattern choice will be announced going forward.

Towing is always an option for a bad flat. We will all learn about flat bedding technique, in time.... as roadside services deal with conventional vehicles. The vehicle is only 1800#

My unlimited free towing road service plan could be good to maintain.

Alternatively, 🤔if the Aptera's electric range is based on two adults ... my 100# wife... give me “a spare tire allowance”to carry a compact tire, in the spacious cargo area!😉Cheers 🍻

Chris has said it will be fix a flat and an inflator. The reason being for weight savings.

imagine if the tire was airless and could be re-treaded. less rubber use and cheaper to replace than new tires (one would hope).

Unfortunately, those latest Tweel has a lot of problems: it will sling water and gravel, and it will churn the air to huge extent.

Yes, or something like that. They would have to cover the sidewalls, because that would generate a LOT of aero drag.

Neil

I occasionally check on progress an airless tire system made by Michelin called the Tweel, for my present vehicles, as I live off primitive ranch roads.

https://www.michelintweel.com/aboutTweel.html

These are used in some construction and military vehicles but one limiting factor has always been the speed of the vehicle (I.e., not ready for highway speeds)

But we can hope they advance this technology! I suppose that was what you had in mind?

Best

I have wondered about air-less tires - these could have lower rolling resistance and they would avoid the need to inflate a low pressure tire, or change a flat tire.

This is a very good idea! It's definitely something we will need clarification about. Tire blowouts are quite common on bad roads in certain states. We will need spares available and most likely a specific jack suited to the aptera's body. I doubt any standard jacks that currently exist would work.

Hopefully there is enough space in the back of the aptera to hold a spare tire as well, but I am not sure since I haven't seen the dimensions of the trunk. An official tire size for it would be good to know as well!