Not sure if this qualifies as an interior or exterior question, but here goes: I have a 1984 Firebird SE that came with 14" rims. It had no spare tire (doughnut). I just got one from a 1986 Camaro, and it has a 15 rim on it. Can I use this as my spare, or do I need a 14" doughnut? Thanks! Chris

Assuming you have stock brakes, front and rear, there isn't any reason that any thirdgen spare shouldn't fit. The only time it's a problem with some cars is if they've got the larger brakes.

So there shouldn't be a problem with using the spare, even though it's has a 15" rim and the rest of my tires all have 14" rims?

Chris

I would think the important thing is that the OD of the spare wheel/tire should closely match the OD of the regular wheel/tire.

Spares are only supposed to be temporary use, below 45mph, to limp to the next service station. Theoretically if you put a smaller/larger tire combo on a limited slip rear end, it could be hard on the differential. Aside from that, as long as it doesn't rub on the brakes or tie rods it should be fine.

Thanks, everyone! I hope I never have to use it, but it's good to know I could in an emergency. I would probably have the car flatbedded somewhere if I had a flat tire, anyway, but you never know.

Chris

i got that co2 inflater do you got one?

I carry at can of Flat-Fix (I'm unsure that that's the brand name, but you get the idea). Frankly, I'm uneasy about using a spare that could easily be 20+ years old. Many of the ones i've seen are in dry rot hell.

JamesC

The one I have looks pretty new, never used, and the rubber is in good shape. I don't like those fix a flat, etc, cans, because they tend to ruin the inside of the rim with their glue.

Chris

Each to his own. Good luck--hopefully, you won't ever have to put the spare to the test. I've never experienced a flat in my car (fingers crossed).

JamesC

I have 3 of them sitting in my garage, 2 are in decent shape, but the third is the collapsible one you need the inflator can for - it's pretty rotted

Though I have one, I've been looking for a like-new alum P195/75-D15 to fit my PBR's--more to say I have one than to ever use it.

JamesC

I've never trusted myself getting the CO2 can on the valve stem properly (one shot deal, so to speak) so I've been carrying a 12v air compressor for the past 20 years.

Several years ago I found myself 14 hours from home with a sliced sidewall in one of my 245/50R16s. Since then, anytime I go on a long trip I toss a junk but usable 16" tire in the trunk. If a tire gets horked on a long trip, I can get the junk tire mounted up and worry about road hazard or replacing the tire when I get home. I've also got AAA. If you have to have a car towed once a year, it pays for itself.