Directional Snow Tire - Spare Solution?

I have very much enjoyed using Blizzak's for years now in New England winters, but in my past vehicles my summer/winter tires have been the same size, so I've left the spare alone (1 non-Blizzak will still get me where I need to go, carefully, short term).

I went to a 17" wheel w/ Wildpeak's for summers (also great) on my '21 OR, going up in overall size a bit. Given the size difference from stock I swapped my spare to this configuration as well (just barely fits), and put Blizzak's on the stock 16" wheels for winter. This works great for summer, giving me a full-size spare.

For winter, since Blizzak's are one-directional, I don't know what to do for the spare. Putting a 5th Blizzak gives 50/50 odds it would be the correct side should I need it, which doesn't feel like a good plan for winter. For an emergency limp home or to civilization scenario (not drive on it for a few weeks/rest of the season) which is better/worse: Blizzak backwards (same size), or Wildpeak (larger), or do I need to find a similarly sized non-directional tire to accompany the Blizzaks in the winter?

 

Do you have a lot of flats?

Do you wander many miles from civilization in foul weather?

If yes, matching may be worth while

If no, it probably doesn't matter much.

 

Nah man, if it holds air and has tread is a valid spare.

I've never seen someone swap out directional winters, even if mismatched in size.

Usually people flip a coin if they really need a winter spare (sienna runflat owners, saw one today even with it strapped to the roof rack)

Winters can actually run fine backwards short term.

I'll help you, put a 3rd left on it

 

You could go to a tire shop and ask for a used winter tire with some tread left at or close to the size you want. Just pay for balancing and mount.

 

+1.

if you're overlanding through the winter wonderland on 3 PSI for weeks at a time, days away from civilization, absolutely run a blizzak spare.


but, if the greatest consequence is that you might be late to work or an event, and you're always within cell phone reception area, any round, holding-air rubber treaded thing will work just fine.

 

Something that others have not addressed yet is: Do your 17" rims take the 16" Stock Rim lug nuts. If not, you are going to have to carry both types of lug nuts.

Also, for temp use of a spare, any size will do in a pinch too, one does not have to match tire sizes. The diffs will handle it just fine for a temporary use.

 

I have run the Toyo Observe winter tires "backward" against their sidewall direction and have noticed No pros or cons.

 

Just use your spare. Chances are you'll never need it.