spare tire
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
spare tire
Has anyone ever used the spare tire in a pinch? I removed mine and the carrier to tidy up the rear and make more room for the exhaust system too. But got some second thoughts on a couple of things.. If 100 miles from home and the fix-a-flat in a can did not work and AAA said it will be several hours as long as there is cell recption it might be a handy thing to have. The other thing that came to mind is this.. does the spare tire carrier clean up the underside of the car? Has anyone made a pass with and without the carrier and if so did it change MPH on top? Anything that does that aero wise would also make better mileage too..
BTW mine still looks good no cracks etc and plenty of air as well. maybe someone changed it before it went out of production.
Dave
BTW mine still looks good no cracks etc and plenty of air as well. maybe someone changed it before it went out of production.
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Has anyone ever used the spare tire in a pinch? I removed mine and the carrier to tidy up the rear and make more room for the exhaust system too. But got some second thoughts on a couple of things.. If 100 miles from home and the fix-a-flat in a can did not work and AAA said it will be several hours as long as there is cell recption it might be a handy thing to have. The other thing that came to mind is this.. does the spare tire carrier clean up the underside of the car? Has anyone made a pass with and without the carrier and if so did it change MPH on top? Anything that does that aero wise would also make better mileage too..
BTW mine still looks good no cracks etc and plenty of air as well. maybe someone changed it before it went out of production.
Dave
BTW mine still looks good no cracks etc and plenty of air as well. maybe someone changed it before it went out of production.
Dave
A "road ranger" pulled in back of me and changed the tire, put air in the spare and installed it. Said thanks and he drove off.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
I've used mine only once, and was glad I had it.
Driving on the first day of Power Tour 2007 in a pouring down rain close to Kalamazoo, MI.
Flat front tire, and I managed to get pulled into a parking lot before doing any tire or wheel damage.
Of course changing a flat tire in the rain isn't much fun, but I managed. I had checked the spare over good before leaving on the trip, so I knew it was good.
Driving on the first day of Power Tour 2007 in a pouring down rain close to Kalamazoo, MI.
Flat front tire, and I managed to get pulled into a parking lot before doing any tire or wheel damage.
Of course changing a flat tire in the rain isn't much fun, but I managed. I had checked the spare over good before leaving on the trip, so I knew it was good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
the first week I had my car the tire came off the rim. I had to use the spare. at the same time I learned 3 of my 4 wheels had locking lug nuts without a key. Luckly the crap tire did not have any.
week one of ownership. new tires and lug nuts.
I have not used it since.
week one of ownership. new tires and lug nuts.
I have not used it since.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The spare tire is part of the rear collision absorbing system. When the car is hit from behind, the collision forces are transferred towards the rear suspension and the spare also helps to protect the gas tank. IIRC, the spare and carrier only weighs about 30 lbs so if nothing else, it will add to rear traction.
If the spare is not checked at least every year, it's possible that enough air can leak out and make the spare pretty mch worthless. On my 87, not only did the air leak out, but the tire separated from the wheel and there was enough corrosion on the rim that the tire wouldn't seal at the bead. I had to remove the tire, then grind off the corrosion, paint everything and have the tire re-mounted.
It's a good idea to become familiar with how the spre is removed from the carrier and to make sure the long bolt that holds the carrier up has not rusted. IF you don't know where the jack is, or how to get the spare out from under the car and you have a flat tire at night in a pouring down rain, you will not be a happy camper.
If the spare is not checked at least every year, it's possible that enough air can leak out and make the spare pretty mch worthless. On my 87, not only did the air leak out, but the tire separated from the wheel and there was enough corrosion on the rim that the tire wouldn't seal at the bead. I had to remove the tire, then grind off the corrosion, paint everything and have the tire re-mounted.
It's a good idea to become familiar with how the spre is removed from the carrier and to make sure the long bolt that holds the carrier up has not rusted. IF you don't know where the jack is, or how to get the spare out from under the car and you have a flat tire at night in a pouring down rain, you will not be a happy camper.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,176
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
If I reinstall the the carrier, the shiny rear suspension will not show.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Yes. The lower position is for a standard full size tire and wheel. But the 315/35-17 tire as used on the ZR-1 and the Grand Sport coupes will not fit in the carrier. Those cars got a plastic bag for the tire which had to be placed in the storage area behind the seats.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,176
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 1
From: Spokane WA
How do you put the full size tire in there? All you do is slide it in and it fits or how do you adjust it to fit? I don't want to put it in the rear hatch. I always wondered aout this. I was thinking just chuck it in the woods and come back with the pickup and get the blown tire.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
How do you put the full size tire in there? All you do is slide it in and it fits or how do you adjust it to fit? I don't want to put it in the rear hatch. I always wondered aout this. I was thinking just chuck it in the woods and come back with the pickup and get the blown tire.
The upper position is for the space saver spare, and the lower position is for the full size tire.
Note: As c4cruiser pointed out, the 315/35-17 tire as used on the ZR-1 and the Grand Sport coupes will not fit in the carrier.
Those cars got a plastic bag for the tire which had to be placed in the storage area behind the seats.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,131
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
Yes. The lower position is for a standard full size tire and wheel. But the 315/35-17 tire as used on the ZR-1 and the Grand Sport coupes will not fit in the carrier. Those cars got a plastic bag for the tire which had to be placed in the storage area behind the seats.
P.S. I've heard it is best to put the spare on the front even if you have to switch a front and rear, because the tiny spare will make the clutches in the posi rear end fry because its turning faster than the other side big wheel.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,176
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
