Re: My A6's design oops....

[dmiller@iea.com (Doug Miller)]

>Doug:  Have you read your owner's manual?
>
>Brian


Actually, I read it cover to cover on delivery.  Rechecking it this
morning, however, yielded no information to give me a hint getting the
spare out involved removing the third seat frame bolts.  However, I
confirmed that the seatframe bolts are the same size as the lugnuts,
meaning the lugwrench would have worked out on the road somewhere.  Then, I
went to the shelf where the owner's manual supplements (Warranty, Audio
system, etc) are stored (glove box is too small) and found the supplement
to which you referred.

My objection stems from a feeling that tire changing on the road is
stressful enough for the average citizen, and there is no sticker in the
spare well or other written indication.  After struggling in frustration
and disbelief with the spare for several minutes, I think it unlikely an
owner hampered by darkness or stress would make the connection and then be
able to remove the seatframe.  It is a sad commentary on our motoring
brethren, but I think changing the tire is enough of a challenge for the
average motorist, let alone adding this impediment without instructions in
the tire well.  I showed my wife this situation and she promptly responded
"Why didn't they make this arm slightly longer to clear the tire, or put an
orange sticker on the underside of the seat piece that swings up?"  Why,
indeed......

Doug Miller
dmiller@iea.com
97A6Q Wagon, 93 LandCruiser w/diff locks (and well used skidplates), 71
LeMans Sport V8 Convertible. Cannondale Super V 900 Comp.