The steel rims rot in the northeast, AAA will not change them if they too bad. My 1976 Corvette's spare, sat in a protective, plastic clam shell and was easy to remove. The tire would slide out. I checked it and was surprised to see it was in like new condition(in 2001). It was a steel 'rally' rim. I recommend putting a tire cover on them(like on the jeeps). I have a hard cover off a Toyota FJ cruiser. I bought on craigslist for $20. They use a similar size tire. Ford should put the correct size tire, especially after the 'Firestone rollover' recall.
2011 Expy Spare Tire Question
- Thread starter Charles Baker
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chuck s
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That was 19 years ago... And nothing related to a steel wheel nor spare tire. 
-- Chuck
-- Chuck
If the handling is affected(esp. A4wd), its a problem. $80K vehicle should have a matching size spare.That was 19 years ago... And nothing related to a steel wheel nor spare tire.
-- Chuck
Quit while you're not too far behind...
Evidently the correct spare tire is not important. Manufacturers do as they please. Dealers ignore the problem. Buyers have been buying crap for at least one decade since my 08 has the mismatched 17" spare. Had I known to look at the spare then, I would not have purchased unless I had the right spare.
Our second vehicle is different. I knew to look. Held out for a full size spare and now all tires and rims match factory ground tires. The buyer has control of the situation. It depends on how important what you want is.
Our second vehicle is different. I knew to look. Held out for a full size spare and now all tires and rims match factory ground tires. The buyer has control of the situation. It depends on how important what you want is.
chuck s
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Anyone who wants, or thinks they need, a matching bling spare "rim" and tire can buy one easily. Just order it. Don't expect it to be free.
The tires in Post 23 are within 1.3% of the same circumference. No big deal, it's a spare so you can get the bling tire replaced eventually. Won't mess up anti-lock brakes or stability control. Your bling wheel under the truck for years waiting for the flat that never happens will be weather abused every day. I read in a Wiki (so it must be true!) that tire rotation is not part of maintenance in Europe at all. Let alone with a 5th wheel in the mix. I wonder that they know that we don't.
-- Chuck
The tires in Post 23 are within 1.3% of the same circumference. No big deal, it's a spare so you can get the bling tire replaced eventually. Won't mess up anti-lock brakes or stability control. Your bling wheel under the truck for years waiting for the flat that never happens will be weather abused every day. I read in a Wiki (so it must be true!) that tire rotation is not part of maintenance in Europe at all. Let alone with a 5th wheel in the mix. I wonder that they know that we don't.
-- Chuck
Tonka
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Mannn! This happened to me too I was dumbfounded cuz I have 18's but my spare is a 17. If you look at the information build sheet right inside you drivers side door at the bottom it will tell you what your spare and tires should be. So yes the 17inch was correct the go by the height which mine is a 70.
chuck s
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Judging from the tire pressure and cargo/towing threads here you're one of the few who's looked at that placard.
-- Chuck
-- Chuck
Its a spare, designed to get you to a shop. If you expect more from a spare, you have unreasonable expectations. If you want a 5th tire, go buy a 1965 Galaxy 500, toss some bias-ply tires on it, and start rotating them every 1000 miles so you can feel good about it.
Good grief. Enough about "matching spares" already.
Good grief. Enough about "matching spares" already.
Please explain how Ford isn't using the "correct" spare. A spare is a spare to get you somewhere to fix the car correctly, not a daily driver wheel and tire. Look at my Benz SLK350 if you want to see a screwy one. I have super wide performance tires on it and it has a donut spare that needs to be filled with a can of crap that's in the trunk with it before you even use it. My wife's Mini Cooper doesn't even have a spare because it came with run flats.
I don't think I have had to use a spare in years. All this thread made me think about is maybe doing some preventative maintenance because I have never even seen mine free from the truck.
As long as the diameter matches whatever tires you're running and it can hold air, who cares what it looks like? Save the fancy spare rim money, if you're planning to replace tires regularly enough that it would matter, then that cash could better go towards the actual tires.
As long as the diameter matches whatever tires you're running and it can hold air, who cares what it looks like? Save the fancy spare rim money, if you're planning to replace tires regularly enough that it would matter, then that cash could better go towards the actual tires.
richs fishes
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Imagine how surprised the guy behind you in traffic was!
-- Chuck
Seriously! Really hope no one ended up getting hurt or causing damage to a car. But not much I can about it years later now!
At least we still get spares! I'm amazed at how many luxury vehicles omit the spare altogether and throw a can of tire slime in where a jack would've gone!
Flexpedition
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I'm pretty sure if Ford put a matching 20 inch spare underneath, some of these same grumpy, lonely old men would be ******** that a cheaper 16 or 17 with a matching outside diameter tire would be better since its likely never to be used and would cost less money.
Some of ya'lls grandfathers must be the reason why Henry only painted the model T's black.
Some of ya'lls grandfathers must be the reason why Henry only painted the model T's black.
Camber no? Or saggy shocks
I'm sure it has a lot to do with cost savings, but in the end it really makes zero difference to the consumer. It's a spare tire and will get you down the road more safely than most cars donut tires. This is only meant to get you where you need to go to get your wheel/tire fixed. Shoot, my 69 Camaro SS396 with a posi came from the factory with a donut for Pete's sake. This isn't anything new in the world of cars and trucks.
That would actually make perfect sense if you had LT tires (half inch ~= 50% wear) or something with similarly huge tread
After all no one expects you to use a spare with 3 pristine new tires
I disagree, it weighs 5,000+ pounds and is used for towing. Just getting to next station is not good enough. I got a flat in the middle of winter. I blew a Goodyear RT/S, I couldn't find a replacement, for a couple of weeks. Goodyear quit making them and I didn't want to buy 4 new tires. My spare was on the whole time.
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