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  #1  
Old 07-10-2008, 06:06 PM
speeddemon2008's Avatar
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 31
spare tire size

I was just looking at my spare tire and realized it was not a full size. The tire is a 195/60/15 and the tires on my car are 215/60/15. My question is, is it safe to use it as a spare, and what speed should I limit myself to should I have to use the spare? Also is there a maximum distance I should drive with it on? I know to get my tire fixed as soon as possible if need be.

My car is an '89 300se.
Thank you, Jacob

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  #2  
Old 07-10-2008, 06:37 PM
RichardM98's Avatar
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Location: SoCal
Posts: 651
Hi Jacob -

The tires on the ground may have been replaced with a slightly larger size. This is common since a lot of people think bigger is better.

My concern would be how old is the spare. If you go to the www.tirerack.com website and look in the technical section you should find an article on decyphering all the DOT markings on the side of the tire. Generally, it's a four digit number such as "0429" which means the 29th week of 2004. Most manufacturers recommend replacing a tire which is over 10 years from date of manufacturer.

You can also compare those two sizes on this site using the Tire Calculator in the Tires/Wheels subforum.

I would drive conservatively until I knew how old the tire was. If it's over 10 years I keep driving conservatively until the regular tire was back on.
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  #3  
Old 07-10-2008, 07:11 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
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If you use an undersized spare on the rear, you should not drive it very far as it will heat up the lube in the rear end and could damage the bearings.

If it were me I would buy a new tire to match the others if I could afford it.

Tom W
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Old 07-10-2008, 10:09 PM
crashone's Avatar
1983 300SD, 4 speeed
 
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Location: Raleighish, NC
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Thanks for info. I have always gotten a kick out of people getting a "set" of 4 new, larger rims. I like to say/ ask "nice rims, what size is your spare?" I may be wrong but I think a set 5 matching size rims & tires would be better.
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1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
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  #5  
Old 07-10-2008, 11:30 PM
speeddemon2008's Avatar
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my spare is actually a 15 inch rim that is actually a mercedes wheel to match my other rims. so now my spare tire is just off.
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  #6  
Old 07-10-2008, 11:34 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
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Yeah, I like a spare that can be rotated with the other four and if you need it on a trip you can just put it on and run it and fix the other one and keep rolling.

My dad used to take two spares in the trunk of his volvo 242 on a Florida trip. It had a bump on both sides so it fit right in. He once had two flats before being able to repair the first one and so after that he liked to carry two.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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