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Tire Size > Spare Well?

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Aldwyn

Aldwyn

Jedi Warrior
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Reading the other thread on tire size, made me remember another item for the "I gotta fix that" list for this Spring...

My current spare tire is the original Michelin Redline. All of the other tires on the car are Pirelli P400 Touring tires, and are not the same size. The PO put 205 70R 15 on her.

I know a lot of you guys are using the same size tires, so I am wondering if the 205 70R 15 will fit in the spare tire well? I figured, I better have a new spare, JUST IN CASE... and didn't know if I could buy the 205 so I could rotate the tires (and have the same size spare), or if I had to go with the 195 in order to have it fit in the well.

Thanks!
Aldwyn
 
Why not score a TR4 wheel, a tube and 165/80-15 Kumho tire from the Tire Rack for $32.00. It is sure to fit the spare tire well. Heck, put it in there outside down so you have even more room for emergency goodies. Leave the trunk clear for luggage and stuff when you hit the road. The 165 is about and inch shorter than the 205's, I can't see why this should pose a problem. If you are concerned about mismatched tires on the diff, put it on the front.
 
Aldwyn,

The 205/70R15 will fit in the wheel well, but it's a bit wider than the OEM size tire so the fiber cover is lifted up a bit... but it still fits. With the carpet cover on it, unless you know what you're looking at you'd never know.
 
I think the idea would be to get the smallest series tire that still was within reason on the circumference. That way it would fit and it's not like this would be used much.
 
I suppose that will work too, if I give up on the idea of rotation... come to think of it, since the car isn't driven all that often, how much rotation will it need using the spare? P'rolly not much.

Maybe just another 195 70R 15 in an el cheapo brand will be good enough for a spare...
 
Some even use a space saver spare (Volvo?), esp on a pre 60K TR3 with a very skinny spare compartment.

I have never called upon the spare for service, thus I just use a decent tire (usually the best one from the last set) but do not include it in the rotation.
 
Well, I discovered that no one in my area carries a 195 70 15.

205, sure... but since that was going to push up on the cover, I figured I would hold out for a 195.

So maybe I will buy one online. Or by a doughnut/spacesaver, as suggested!


Thanks!

- Aldwyn
 
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