Spare Tire orientation

[gadourym]

I was told some time ago when I asked about that orientation on my Explorer that it was that way because with valve stem down orientation, the rim was like a bowl and would hold water causing it to rust out.

Sponsored

 

[labjr1]

The tires on my truck are 275/65/R18 while the spare is 245/75/R17, not the same height or rolling diameter. I don't care about it being a 17", but it should have been 255/75/R17 to match the size and diameter.

Thanks for your response. It prompted me to check mine and discover that my 2023 Platinum PB has a mismatched spare. Spare is 265/70/R18, Truck runs 275/60/R20s. I just ordered a matching wheel and as soon as it comes in I will get a matching spare. I like to work the spare into the rotation of tires and I don't like the limitations imposed by the mismatch. You post prompted me into checking!!

 

[oneinch]

The spares nowadays are temporary and the slightly larger or smaller diameter of the spare shouldn't be a problem ever. The reasoning for this is that the differentials are open. If you need to use your spare, ideally you drive in 2 wheel drive, don't lock the differential, and drive on it temporarily.

 

[labjr1]

The spares nowadays are temporary and the slightly larger or smaller diameter of the spare shouldn't be a problem ever. The reasoning for this is that the differentials are open. If you need to use your spare, ideally you drive in 2 wheel drive, don't lock the differential, and drive on it temporarily.

But, you have speed limitations, you can't use your lockers, you could be towing or hauling,...it does cause issues with braking, it disables some of the automated driving capabilities,... Better to have a matching spare without those limitations. My last vehicle had an undersized spare, it disabled ABS, it limited my top speed, it disabled cruise and it lit up my dash like a Christmas tree. The flat was caused by a sudden road hazard that also ruined the wheel. It took the dealership a week to get a replacement matching wheel. Not interested in a repeat.

 

[oneinch]

These are all non issues with temporary use. It is true that supply issues may force usage longer than it should be. When using the spare everything needs to be slowed down. If one can't live with the temporary nature of the spare, just replace it with a regular tire. I reckon most of us can deal with the spare.

 

[Graygoose2021]

When I swapped to my new 18s, I bought a complete 5th setup. Rim and tire. Locked under the tonneau. Removed factory spare. Put in garage.

 

[jhelrey]

SOB. I have an 18" wheel as well for my truck with 20's.

 

[Mtnman1]

Hey everybody this is my first post, so go easy on me.
Just wondering if anybody has changed the way the spare is mounted under the truck by flipping it over to allow easy access to the tire valve so you can check and adjust the pressure. I just did this today. I have done that on all my previous trucks and that makes it very to check the spare.
I also found out that Ford in their infinite wisdom installs a spare that is smaller than the other tires. Who is the genius that came up with that idea?
Just give me a tire that can be used for a while until the other one is fixed without me having to worry about drivability issues and what kind of stress and wear the different size is doing to my vehicle.

I have the exact same spare as the other 4. Just had to check the LT tire option. Plus the spare is the same overall size. Smaller lighter rim to save weight.

Thank the feds for that, not Ford.

 

[Buyer2021]

As one who tows an RV on extended trips in somewhat remote areas, I can relate to the desire for a spare tire that matches one's 'road' tires.

There's some comfort in knowing that IF (knocking on wood again) I have a flat while towing in Arches NP and then to Chaco Canyon (just for example) I can use my spare without any concern / change in driving habits, use of locker or any mode of 2/4A/4WD.

Sure, I'm gonna get that reparable flat fixed as soon as convenient on the trip, but if the tire isn't reparable and a matching replacement isn't available in the small towns I'm passing through, I'm gonna keep running on that matching spare, no worries.

 

[vegas79]

I bought an alloy wheel and tire that matches the others on my truck, 275/65/18. Fit under the truck like it was supposed to be there. I wanted piece of mind if I ever needed it especially if I was towing a trailer. Mount the spare, repair or replace the bad tire, put back under the truck. I do 5 tire rotations so I won't have a brand new tire rotting away under the truck.

 

[ELLS]

I hope I don't jinx myself here, but I do not remember when the last time was that I got a flat and had to use the spare tire on any vehicle. And that goes for my work trucks, wife's car and two kids cars as well. On the order of 25+ years at least. I do admit I am a bit of a planner, though. I check air and tire conditions regularly.

My truck has 275/65/18 tires, I too found my spare was a 17" temporary use tire. I guess I understand the cost cutting reasons when considering all the different potential OEM set ups, but I don't have to live with it on my truck. I looked hard for an 18" steel wheel, spent a few hours on line, even went to the dealer. I know they make an 18" steel wheel, and so does the dealer, but they could not find a part number. They said they could order a matching alloy wheel for my truck, but the price was like $900. That was a big no. I searched for a matching size OEM alloy wheel on-line and the cheapest I could find was around $150. I think it was off a Navigator. Since it was not a match to my OEM wheels, only just a spare for temporary use, I decided to go to my local tire store and ask for some help. The answer was, yes, I can help you. Within an hour he had installed a used 17" regular non-temporary use tire sized closely to the circumference of the 275/65/18 tires on the truck. All for $48.80.
The rule of thumb is stay within 3% of the diameter of the original tire diameter.
OEM tire size = 275/65/18, diameter is 32.1"
OEM spare tire size = 245/75/17, diameter is 31.5"
Difference in diameter = OEM spare is -1.9% (smaller). Also, +12 revolutions per mile.
Replacement spare tire size = 265/70/17, diameter is 31.6"
Difference in diameter = new spare is -1.6% (smaller). Also, +9 revolutions per mile.
Since the replacement tire size is a tad closer than the spare tire size that Ford engineered as acceptable, I'm not worried about the 4x4 system on the truck should I ever have to use the spare.

Good Info

I had a flat on my 25 in July. Picked up a finishing nail somewhere between Santa Barbara and San Jose. I was loosing about 11psi per day. Treated myself to a new ARB compressor since my trusty old cheapo gave up the ghost. Drove on it while monitoring the pressure for a couple days until I had a little time. Pulled the nail and patched the hole in an O’Reilly’s parking lot in Fresno. Headed up into the Sierras for a few days after that. Haven’t lost a single pound of air since.

A couple lessons learned, my spare is not full sized. Did not need it but I could have. I’m going to fix that. Plugging the tire was an absolute bear! It was very difficult to get the punch into that little nail hole. I have picked up a tire patch kit that works with your drill. Next time (if there is one) will be much easier. Since I’m carrying my drill with extra battery and charger, I picked up an adaptor that lets you use your cordless drill to crank your scissor jack. So once I’ve dropped a little cash on a full size spare, I probably won’t get another flat for the time I own the truck.

 

[MikeNH]

I’ve encountered this on basically every truck I have owned over the years. Super annoying. But every six months or so I drop the spare to check it and make sure the winch is functional. Usually before and after winter.

Sponsored