driving on a full size spare tire?

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Jan 18th, '08, 07:14

i have a predicament. my friend invited me up to his house on okemo, but i have a flat and don't have time to get a new tire today. my question is, is it alright to drive 3 hours there and back on a full size spare? I'm just thinking the wheel is lighter than all the others, so it might throw off the alignment.

shortski · Post by **shortski** » Jan 18th, '08, 07:19

Jim wrote:i have a predicament. my friend invited me up to his house on okemo, but i have a flat and don't have time to get a new tire today. my question is, is it alright to drive 3 hours there and back on a full size spare? I'm just thinking the wheel is lighter than all the others, so it might throw off the alignment.

Why take any chances, just go rent a car/SUV for the weekend. Weekend rates are pretty low. Did a quick check on Alamo 165 for Fri through Mon for SUV.

pcgrantham · Post by **pcgrantham** » Jan 18th, '08, 07:20

front or rear?

Talisman · Post by **Talisman** » Jan 18th, '08, 07:40

If your flat is from a simple puncture get three cans of fix a flat. Put two cans in the flat atire nd a can in ther car for just in case, top off the flat tire and hit the road.

Driving on the 'cheater' spare on the rear isn't too bad until there is ice or snow.

whiteout · Post by **whiteout** » Jan 18th, '08, 07:47

Talisman wrote:If your flat is from a simple puncture get three cans of fix a flat. Put two cans in the flat atire nd a can in ther car for just in case, top off the flat tire and hit the road.

Driving on the 'cheater' spare on the rear isn't too bad until there is ice or snow.

or get the flat "plugged" if possible. our local gas station did this for my wife's suv's flat tire in less than 15 minutes.

Talisman · Post by **Talisman** » Jan 18th, '08, 07:51

or get the flat "plugged" if possible. our local gas station did this for my wife's suv's flat tire in less than 15 minutes.[/quote]

Excellent point. If you have the flat off the car and in the trunk with a can of beer next to it for the guy he will be more than willing to help you out and may beat 15 minutes.

Post by **SkiDork** » Jan 18th, '08, 08:01

yeah, just swing by an STS or Mavis or whatever tire place, they'll have you out of there in 15 mins

SPORE · Post by **SPORE** » Jan 18th, '08, 09:49

I don't see what the issue is if you have a full size spare tire...as in it is the same size as all the other tires on your car.

KBL Ed · Post by **KBL Ed** » Jan 18th, '08, 09:50

If it is a full size spare, isn't it just... a regular tire? What would be the point of having a full size spare, if it wasn't the same as your regular tires???

Stormchaser · Post by **Stormchaser** » Jan 18th, '08, 10:03

My full size spare is a matching tire and rim to the rest of my set...

Mister Moose · Post by **Mister Moose** » Jan 18th, '08, 10:06

You left out critical information to answer the question.

Is there a hot tub at your friends house? Is it slopeside? Is there beer/women/cable TV?

yeti · Post by **yeti** » Jan 18th, '08, 10:34

Drive up, when you get there drop the rim at a Sears or NTB or some such. Pick up before you leave for home (check their hours first).

Stache · Post by **Stache** » Jan 18th, '08, 10:40

Here is a SUPER site for considering running any tire other than the manufacturer's recommendation:

http://www.csgnetwork.com/tireinfo4calc.html

Anytime you have to run an odd size spare try to make sure it is not in a driving or stearing position.

yeti · Post by **yeti** » Jan 18th, '08, 15:39

Swapped the donut in my Jeep for a full size spare 1 hour after leaving the lot (would have done it there but they wanted $155 for a rim that I got at Pep Boys for $20).

Add a cheapo Futura all season tire on sale at $40, $5 to mount/balance and wala: one driveable fullsize spare for under $70.

Not the best spare in the world, but beats the hell out of a donut any day.

b-5 · Post by **b-5** » Jan 18th, '08, 15:49

Drive fast, take chances!
just like skiing....

KillingtonZone.com

driving on a full size spare tire?

driving on a full size spare tire?

Re: driving on a full size spare tire?