spare tire

[jkilla71]

Hello everyone -


I don't want to jinx myself but can I use the donut spare tire if I get a flat with the 18" tires I have on the car now?

If not - does it make sense to remove the spare tire to shed the 25lbs???

Thanks

[mooseheadm5]

Depends on your brakes. If stock, then definitely, but you will probably have to turn off traction control. If you can't use it, jettison it and get a cell phone and a can of fix a flat (non-exploding only!) and a small 12V air compressor.
-Paul

[1996 328ti]

From what I understand, the spare is part of the energy absorbing system if you get struck in the rear. Don't know if it's true, but I'd keep the spare on the car. Providing of course you have not upgraded your brakes other than 325/328 calipers.

[mooseheadm5]

Good point! I didn't even think about that. Even if it wasn't designed to be, it would be pretty effective. Want to lose weight from your car? Ditch the 18s.
-Paul

[Den]

Originally Posted by mooseheadm5

Want to lose weight from your car? Ditch the 18s.
-Paul

Best advice I've heard in awhile.


How 'bout LSD? If he gets a flat in the rear, and runs the spare on one side and an 18" on the other, could that screw with an LSD? (Assuming he's not running 40's or whatever profile he'd need to make the 18" the same total diameter as the 15" tire.)

[jkilla71]

Thanks for the input but I am not too concerned about weight. I just didn’t want to be caring something around I don’t need. If the spare tire is designed to absorb rear impacts I guess it will have to stay. I have extra rims and tires but having a spare in the car isn’t that important to me. I think “AAA”, a can of “fix-a-flat” and an Amex card offer more piece of mind than a spare tire anyway.