Spare tire size question

Just a quick question...Just bought a 2020 Sport. And put new tires on it this morning and discovered the spare is a 16 in wheel not 17 like the stock wheels...is that supposed to be that way? Thanks

 

That's crazy. It is a 17in on my 2017. It was a different tire than the other four though.

The overall diameter will be the same if you are sticking with the stock tire size. If you went to a 265/70R17 on the new tires, it still isn't an issue for emergency use. You just don't want to use 4wd while different diameters are on there.

 

Anyone remember the small folding spare tire......

The sidewalls would fold when the tire was deflated. The spare had to be inflated during the change of the flat with a small N2 can. Super PITA. I had one of these in my old '77 Buick Skyhawk. Ended up getting a POS (not Point of Sale) 12Vdc inflator.

Then the "donut" spare tires came out. Then spare tires were removed from some models.

Like @whatstcp said, "....it just a spare..." Meant to get you to a repair, not permanent.

 

As long as the diameter is within an inch or so it's fine. Just don't go fast and make it a priority to get a new tire.

 

Omg, I didnt ever realize that's a thing. Most small cars no just have a sad can of fix a flat. When I found that out, we got my wife a donut from the junkyard.

 

+1

 

Twas a time the spare matched the other four and would be used in tire rotation. When radials came out and rotation was front to back / back to front same side. The tires were the same but rims were generic.

I still have the original spare in my ‘78 Ford. Many sets or tires later and it’s been on the ground only once or twice.

I wonder if an original, first generation General steel belted radial has any collectors value.

 

A rubber recycler would value it.

 

Interesting. I didn't know that happened. It does make sense. Like you said, pretty much inconsequential.

 

Make sense...at least for them I just didn't even consider it and bought 5 265/70/17s. No biggie, Ill just return the 5th one and leave the spare the way it is.

 

I don't know about collectors value but I'd not trust a tire that old. They don't recommend a tire much over 5-8 years old regardless of how many miles. A spare kept out of sunlight might be good for longer, but not 40+ years.

I replace my spare with one of the better take off's every time I get a new set of tires to ensure the spare isn't too old. Of course that wouldn't be possible in the OP's case unless he picks up another 17" wheel.

 

The 80s 300ZX had those in the interests of space saving. I'm positive I'm come across others, but can't recall which cars they were in. Never used one, but they didn't make me feel safe at all.

The newer Mustangs, a spare tire and associated tools are an option. If you don't get them, you get an air pump and a can of fix a flat. If you get the Premium Package (not sure if it still exists) you couldn't even use the optional spare because it didn't fit over the brakes. I can tell you, from experience that getting a flat in that care really sucked.

 

You could probably get a 17in steelie or even a matching alloy for pretty cheap? Lots of folks swap out the wheels.