Is The Emergency Spare Rendered Useless My Aftermarket Rims?

[sl33py]

My brother got a flat on his Integra yesterday, and I saw that he and dad left his emergency spare lying on the grass outside the house... I went and asked why (cos I was worried it would get stolen) and they said because his other (aftermarket) wheels are much larger than the spare so the car wouldn't be straight, and therfore it was useless. Now: I'm pretty sure they are just +1, so the spare SHOULD fit and at least drive the short distances it was intended for, right? I've got 18's on my R33 GTST (so I guess that's +2), and my spare looks TINY compared to my rims (even smaller in comparison than my bro's looked), but the spare should still be useful right? It's the outside/rolling diameter which is important, and I'm pretty sure mine are the same as stock...

[BHDave]

Would you be overly offended if i said your brother and your dad are retarded?

If his aftermarket wheels and tyres maintain the same rolling diameter as stock (as they should if they are a regular +1) then it's no different to having a space saver on one corner and stockers on the rest.

Regardless. All the thing is there for is to get you to a tyre shop. If the car crabs for all of 15 minutes while you head for the local bob jane does it really matter? It's certainly better than being stranded on the side of the road, or better yet, leaving the car there with one corner held up with a scissor jack while you wander to the tyre store (after waiting an hour or so for a mate to pick you up).

[blind_elk]

My brother ... his Integra

Says it all

I'm with Dave on this one.

[Eug]

i heard from the tyre dude that if you have aftermarket rims on your rwd, it's advised that if you get a flat rear tyre to move one of the front rims to replace the rear flat and run the space saver on the front.

seemed logical at that stage, considering the loads on the diff and driveshaft, etc. i didn't really give it too much thought. same apply in reverse on fwd?

[Munkyb0y]

how fast are you planning on driving on the spare? coz if the answer is fast, then you're an idiot. if the answer is quite slowly limp it to the closest point of repair, then i dont think any of this matters too much. even if the rolling diameter isnt the same.

[djr81]

i heard from the tyre dude that if you have aftermarket rims on your rwd, it's advised that if you get a flat rear tyre to move one of the front rims to replace the rear flat and run the space saver on the front.

seemed logical at that stage, considering the loads on the diff and driveshaft, etc. i didn't really give it too much thought. same apply in reverse on fwd?

No! Find the tyre dude and slap him.

Put the good tyre on the front (So you can brake & steer) and the space saver on the rear (less weight, less braking).

This is true for FWD, RWD & AWD cars.

Lastly next time you go to the servo check the pressure in the spare. They need a heap of pressure to run as they are so small. Using a foot pump will take you three days to inflate them. No point carrying a spare if it doesn't have any air in it.

[FOG35]

Beat me to it^^^^^^^^^^^^

I've heard its safer to put the spacesaver on the rear.

1st Reason: Braking - When a car brakes hard most of the stopping is done with the front wheels.

2nd Reason: Cornering - More force is put on the front wheels during cornering.

3rd Reason: Weight - Most cars are heavier in the front than the rear.

Edited February 1, 2008 by FOG35

[Eug]

maybe i listened incorrectly? at least i now know.

[sl33py]

I thought as much too. Thanks. I explained it to Dad who I think was the one who went 'that won't be any good!'

BTW, that teg goes HARD for the amount of effort/petrol he (doesn't) have to put into it. Meanwhile mine sits out back with a busted turbo while I save up

Edited February 1, 2008 by sl33py