Full size spare - what to do?

[Av8or]

I did a full size spare since I went up a tire size (and switched to falkens) and it irked me that the spare rim was a different size than my main wheels.

But now what do I do with my old spare? It seems like I can't even give it away even though it's an unused 265/65/17 Hankook Dynapro. It's taking up space in my garage but I'd feel horrible throwing away a brand new tire... Also why on Earth does it have a 50mph max rating on it when it's a full size wheel/tire?

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[DukeCanBuildit]

There are a few reasons for the warning - if you upgrade wheels to 18”, the overall size will be slightly different - if you go with aftermarket tires and wheels, the size could be very different - if you haven’t bothered to ensure it’s always properly inflated, it could be an issue - it could also be brand spanking new while your other tires are 70% worn.

Basically, it is meant to simply get you to a place where you can fix the damaged tire.

So, to keep you safe, they throw on a warning.

 

[HenryMac]

Also why on Earth does it have a 50mph max rating on it when it's a full size wheel/tire?

CYA on Ford's part. If you run the numbers the spare wheel is a legit replacement. Perhaps they are worried about tire wear on the other tires, thus diameters may be different once you actually use the spare?

 

[AzScorpion]

I did a full size spare since I went up a tire size (and switched to falkens) and it irked me that the spare rim was a different size than my main wheels.

But now what do I do with my old spare? It seems like I can't even give it away even though it's an unused 265/65/17 Hankook Dynapro. It's taking up space in my garage but I'd feel horrible throwing away a brand new tire... Also why on Earth does it have a 50mph max rating on it when it's a full size wheel/tire?

When I'm trying to give stuff away for free I find that Craigslist or nextdoor.com works good. Most people will take anything if it's free.

 

[Langwilliams]

If anyone on here goes to 285/70/17's an has a 16" spare like I do they need a 17" spare to get a compatible spare. I'm going to 265/70/17's an I can use a 265/75/16 spare.

 

[Jms81661]

If anyone on here goes to 285/70/17's an has a 16" spare like I do they need a 17" spare to get a compatible spare. I'm going to 265/70/17's an I can use a 265/75/16 spare.

?? I got 17's and I need a 17" full size spare. Are you looking to swap a 16" for a 17" or just get rid of a 17"?

 

[Av8or]

?? I got 17's and I need a 17" full size spare. Are you looking to swap a 16" for a 17" or just get rid of a 17"?

Just get rid of it. It's been listed in my area for free for over a week and still nothing... for FREE. I'd hate for it to go to waste, so if you pay the cost of shipping I'll send it your way. I have no idea how to ship a wheel+tire, feel free to PM me if you know what I should do.

 

[Langwilliams]

?? I got 17's and I need a 17" full size spare. Are you looking to swap a 16" for a 17" or just get rid of a 17"?

I looked at the diameter of the 265/70/17 tires I'm probably going with an the same tire in 265/75/16 has the same overall diameter so I'm good but if you go taller it might be better to get the 17" spare.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Just found out the other day when I had a flat tire that the spare was a 16” rim. I have 17” on all 4 on the ground. Totally pissed I called the dealer and he said that is Fords decision. The tire diameter on the 16” is the same as the 17” so why in the hell would Ford make this decision. Does not make good sense. Sort of like a towing package but no brake controller!

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Just found out the other day when I had a flat tire that the spare was a 16” rim. I have 17” on all 4 on the ground. Totally pissed I called the dealer and he said that is Fords decision. The tire diameter on the 16” is the same as the 17” so why in the hell would Ford make this decision. Does not make good sense. Sort of like a towing package but no brake controller!

Hi George,

Short answer...plant complexity. It is a temporary spare, not a road wheel.

 

[James Caper]

Most rims are straight black cheepo. Here is what was under mine.

 

[James Caper]

Cleaned up.

 

[slowmachine]

I think that Ford's sole motivation for the slightly unusual spare tire situation is simply reducing production costs. Ford had to make a design decision to support either four or five TPMS sensors, and they chose four. The dissimilar spare wheel and tire makes it obvious to everyone that the spare is not equipped with a TPMS sensor, and does not comply with government safety standards for road wheels.

Myself and others here on the forum have purchased a fifth matching wheel and tire to replace the oddball spare. My fifth matching wheel, with TPMS sensor, has worked flawlessly for the past 8000 miles. Others report sensor detection problems with theirs. It is an unsupported configuration, so I'm not expecting any help from Ford if it ceases to function correctly.

I don't know the legal details behind the 50 MPH sticker on the spare, but there is no question that a non-matching wheel and tire will cause irregular handling at highway speeds, even if the rated revolutions per mile are very closely matched to the road wheels. It seems likely that Ford is simply complying with government regulations for marking the spare, which make it obvious that the spare is not suitable for all driving conditions.

The most interesting part, to me, is that Ford has actually produced (or contracted the production of) aluminum alloy wheel designs that are used only for spare tires. I have no doubt that the 16" steelies are less expensive than aluminum wheels, but Ford decided that it is necessary to have the spare be significantly visually different from the road wheels, so they can't include a fifth steel wheel on trucks that are already equipped with four of them. Somewhere in the accounting department, the numbers must say that this costs less than a fifth matching road wheel with TPMS.

 

[Racket]

I went with a matching fifth wheel/tire with the TPMS after reading others successfully did it here (hello new tire rotation scheme) mostly because for long trips IF I need to change a tire I won't be hobbled by the oddball.

Especially if I'm towing.

But I've found even my 'upgrade' spare doesn't seem to have value except maybe scrap metal.

 

[OrangeStreak]

If you mount the spare face up, granted it will protect the finish but you can't check the pressure. So does that mean you have to pull the spare off to check the pressure?
Thanks.

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