"riz" <riz@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:mR3Yd.12729$Wz3.9510@fe09.lga...
> Just why is it that spare tires are made to be installed valve side down?
> Other than to make it difficult for weaklings like me to take it out and
> check the pressure?

To alleviate that little problem, buy one of these:

http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl....Product_ID=798

It's a $9 hose to attach to the spare's valve, making it easy to check the
pressure. You leave it permanently attached to the spare's valve (except, of
course, when you need to *use* the tire... if you can remove it in the first
place... ).