Is it ok for spare tire to be 1" smaller in diameter?

I have 255/80's on my truck and a stock size spare still. I had 265/17's before with same stock spare. I figure the small spare will get me to a tire shop fine for repairs.

 

A friend's Jeep with 3 worn 37s and the new spare will cause the traction control to kick in on the highway. Just another interesting thing that can be caused by different sizes.

 

Not if you do 5-wheel rotations like I do.

 

Yeah, it's a little more difficult/expensive with tpms and rim-matching

 

That’s not bad at all.

 

How would you rotate to the front with 1 jack though?

 

Just a bit

 

If you are out on the trail you jack up the rear, take off the rear tire. Then put your flat tire on (dont need to put the bolts on tight, just thread them on) Then jack up the front, swap the tire, then jack up the rear again and put the tire on and put your flat back.

You can also put logs under the rear axle, but thats not nearly as stable as bolting a wheel (even with flat tire) on.

 

I should add that I have a plug kit and air compressor so repairs can be attempted before needing the spare.

 

IMO Its the spare tire, Will be temporary just to get the closest tire place to get the problem solved. Cant recall the last time I used my spare tire. knack on wood.

 

Pretty much my mindset. I've lowered mine a couple times to lube the lift mechanism and turn the tire over so I could check the PSI on it, but otherwise it's just there.

 

Ive been driving for 20 years, I have used exactly zero spares on my own truck, but I used a spare on my wifes truck once, and it was a snow tire so she shredded it driving for a little bit.

 

I bought a full-size spare but a friend made a valid point - if I never use it, it may just disintegrate over time and be useless anyway

 

If yo want to go by the books, you should do a 5 tire rotation.... not me

 

The most flexible, safest thing to do is just have a tire of the correct diameter. You don't know where you'll be when it goes so you may have to be on that spare for a while.

I usually get a used spare, or rotate in the best tire from my last set.

 

This is a good point...something I was considering a few days ago.

Has anybody ever put the OCD effort into starting with 5 matching tires and rotating all five a specific intervals so that the "spare" gets worn evenly. So, technically there isn't a spare, there is just a fifth tire.

Edit: this got answered above in the time it took me to type the question.

 

I came here to say the same thing. That's why it is for emergencies. This is the first vehicle I've ever owned with the spare being the same size as the tires that are on the truck. Even my GMC pickup had a smaller spare even though it was still considered a full size spare. Basically, it's to get you to a repair shop and not to drive every day like some people do.

FWIW OP, I had to drive around on my spare in my GMC for about a week while I waited on a new tire to come in (long story). The spare was roughly an inch smaller than the stock tires. I didn't seem to notice any issues.

 

Has anybody ever put the OCD effort into starting with 5 matching tires and rotating all five a specific intervals so that the "spare" gets worn evenly. So, technically there isn't a spare, there is just a fifth tire.

Wonder if the Toyota care includes the 5th wheel rotation , just to not void my tire warranty
Will ask that when my tire rotation is due under the Toyota Care program.

 

What's the pattern and timing? Meaning, usually a 4 tire rotation is back-to-front, side-to-side. When you rotate in the fifth where do you put it and which tire gets pulled out?

 

6 tire rotation would be the best