GoLowDrew

Is there a reason why we can't mount a regular size tire on a compact spare steel wheel?

I need a new spare tire. The tire shop wanted to sell me a new steel wheel instead.

$o there was no use talking to the "expert$."

Is this true or false?

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

As long as you have the room under your parcel tray, there's really no reason you shouldn't be able to strap in a full-size spare.

Clockworkz

Wouldn't the spare rim be to small of a width to fit a regular sized tire? Those things can get pretty tiny.

kyden

you won't have a flat floor with a regular sized wheel there.

GoLowDrew

True. they are 4" wide. And old 13" wheel is like 5" wide, so I think it can maybe do a 175/70. But these are 1980 sizes so I do think they will be hard to find. Guessing here.

Depends on the car. IMO, most cars can fit a "full size" spare. If you look at the carboard cover, there are blocks of padding that are 2"-3" thick. So you may have to trim there, or relocate it so it does not bulge up.

I used tire shop is going to find me a "full size" spare. I'll see how it goes today. I'm a bit surprise how "expensive" a compact spare tire is. I might as well go full size for about the same $$$$.

alphalanos

i usually find a steel wheel for the car if it was offered with one, or i find a cheap *** aftermarket wheel and use that

Mr. Bojangles

My Civic DX coupe had a compact spare under the trunk, but the Civic EX I have now has a full size, both are 6th gens. Not sure if it came with a full size or the previous owner threw it in there. Steel wheel doe.

Black R

Just get a rota.

GoLowDrew

Update, vent and new question.

On my OP, I first went to Discount Tires. They went by what their database said in trying to sell me a new 14 or 15" wheel. Because it's a spare, none of us would have tried it out. I would have paid, and left.

I went to a used tire shop. The guy show me a 16" steel wheel. That was NOT what I wanted, maybe 14 or 15 at most. He said I need 16", I said no. He said yes. I was ready to leave. He said, ok, let's try out what I want.

14" don't fit. 15" don't fit......how could that be? I got my car used and the owner added larger slotted aftermarket roters. I did not think about that. So only 16" steel wheel would fit. Wow. 16 X 6.5.

Ok, now what tires? This is a Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V. The OEM 16 tires are a rare 195/55/16. They spent 30mins trying to find the right tires. 205/60/16 was the best they can do. The tire is 1" taller than the OEM 215/45/17. Calculations show it's 4.5% larger. It the heat of the moment, it took it. It'll work in the rear, but I do worry about the front, when turning. Car is lowered on Tein S-tech. Yes, I rushed it and have some regret, but I think it was the "right" decision to do, rather than buy a brand new tire. It's a spare afterall, and this car is not my DD.

So this giant tire is making the trunk floor bulging up. Even by removing the thick padding cube, it would not be flat. Oh well...

Question.

Many of you have aftermarket brakes systems. What do you use for spare? I'm sure the OEM compact spare will not work.

What PSI should I run it at? OEM? How low of a PSI can I go safely, without the tire coming off the rim. I asking to give it "extra" clearance in the front.

TIA

Fitz Williams

iTrader: (1)

I use a 135/80/16 from an Acura TL. I have 300mm rotors and NSX calipers. But its a 5-lug wheel, so if you have 4 lugs that's a problem.

GoLowDrew

Yes, 4 lugs.