Do you keep spare tire stock after upgrading to larger size tires?

For those that replaced tires with a larger size, did you replace the spare tire to match?

Say if I only replace 4 tires to 265/75r16, and then needed to use the stock 265/70r16 spare tire, will that be a problem? Anyone actually experienced having to use a smaller spare tire?

I'm assuming it is fine, since some cars come with dinky donut spare tire.

Thanks

 

I have 265/75/16 and still have the 265/70/16 stock spare, the difference isn't a issue unless you want to use the locker with the spare on, then it will pull a little to the side with the smaller tire, but if it's a emergency situation it shouldn't be a issue.

I will get a matching spare when I go up to 285/75/16 though, but I'm hoping to have a rear bumper with spare tire mount by then so I don't have to worry about making it fit under the bed.

 

Back with my Chevy Cruze I only had 1 flat, and had to throw the spare on. Even with all stock tires/wheels, the spare was slightly smaller than the rest. Just cutting costs I guess. It was enough to finish my commute to work and get home, but I tried to really take it easy and not drive much with it.

Anyway, I think that as long as the size difference isn't crazy big, that it should be okay provided it won't have to be used for a long drive. It's mainly there so you can get to where you're going still, and make it to getting a replacement.

 

I hate not rotating in my spare.
You have a new tire that may only get used a couple times before you have to toss it from dry rot ( at least in dry ass Az. )
I bought 5 tires last time when I increased the tires to 255-85-16s and picked up an extra stock alloy. Now I just rotate in the spare on every oil change.
Yes you have to buy 5 when you get tires, but if you are out off roading I like having the same wheel and tire for a spare and it increases total miles on a set by a fifth.

 

Mine is the stock spare. I run the rest 265/75-16. Should get me where I need to go.

 

I am planning on selling my spare and buying a used AT/MT, if anything, for the tread.

 

I have the exact same sizes and plan.

 

I upgraded to 285/75/16s spare included. And have the 285 spare mounted underneath in stock location.

 

If the spare is used on pavement, undersized spare is fine for short distances. Just keep it in 2WD and disable VSC, Auto LSD. For longer distances (>100 miles), the tire mismatch will be too stressful even for an open diff.

As luck would have it, in the last 20+ years of driving, nobody in my family had to put on a spare. I've gotten punctures that resulted in slow leaks, where I just pumped up the tire to a higher pressure and limped to the nearest repair shop.

For off-road, it's a matter of judgement. Hell, there will be cases where one spare isn't enough. I see a few LT trucks with the bed cut away to make room for two spares.

 

Your 4wd system, depending on the amount of technology, may believe that the smaller spare tire is spinning due to the smaller diameter. Depending on the type of differential and traction aids it may be much more difficult to make it back to a paved road, since these may need to be disabled to keep the truck drivable. If you have a mechanical limited slip you may also cause damage to the differential.


My Honda Civic Si has a mechanical limited slip. If I have a flat on the front, I have to move a rear tire to the front and install the doughnut spare on the rear.

 

Thanks for the replies.
ISo in case of flat, use the smaller sized spare in front and run 2wd.

 

I don't see why it would be a problem. Look at the little tiny doughnut spares that most cars use, they aren't even close to the size of the regular tires.

 

I bought a used tire on ebay that matched my size for about $35-40 and put it on the spare rim. Then I sold my factory spare.

As some others have said, running 2 different sizes in the rear is bad for the diff.

 

i just kept my best old tire for the spare when i bought new tires. i run 265/75 and the OEM was 245/75. Never needed it but i like now having the same size tire, even if it is lower on tread.

 

I have the stock spare even though I run 285/75/17s on my truck. The way I see it....having a spare is better than no spare to get where you are going. But, I can see myself one day getting stranded if I have a flat while in the woods and can't get back to pavement....ouch

 

If u have a flat in rear u could always swap a front to back then spare to front and not worry about the differentail issue. #4X4problems. Im stock spare 265/75 but will be going 255/85 next. Prolly swap my 10 year old spare out for one of my 265s off when i get new tires

 

Yeah I didn't realize anyone would put on their spare and keep it on the truck. I've only ever thought of my spare tire as a temp tire to get me home, until I can fix the regular one.

 

Good point, I got the standard cheapo. My truck came with upgraded rims(18s) now I'll have to get a rim to boot.

 

Thanks, but no luck. That's a handy website though.

 

Same here. 265-75 on the road, 265-70 under the bed. I even had a 33" spare when I was running 35s on my land cruiser. If I was doing an extended back country trip I'd throw an additional matching spare in the back. A tire repair kit helps. Also I think you can adjust the tire pressure to effectively shrink the diameter of a tire to match a smaller spare. Never tried that tho.