Spare wheel is a different size!

sharathjeppu · 6th May 2006, 06:04

I have a Swift ZXi with Stock Tyres 185/70/R14 and Alloys
The spare wheel is however a standard Rim (non-alloy) with 165/80/R14 tyres.
The dealer explained this to me as an International norm in that a spare wheel is to be sparingly used.

It made sense to me but I had never heard this before. Do all cars that come factory fitted with Alloys follow this rule?

Secondly, why are these norms applicable only for cars with alloy wheels?

Lastly, is there an existing thread which discusses on Tyre rotation practices?

GTO · 6th May 2006, 10:22

Sharath, The swift spare tyre has caught many owners by surprise, but it is a standard practice with many manufacturers around the world. Popularly called as the "space saver", a non-alloy regular wheel / tyre was also there on my Honda Accord in the States.

However, Maruti appears to have clearly done it for saving cost.

GTO

wolfinstein · 6th May 2006, 21:23

Got the regular size wheel for the Lancer- Alloy SFXi- R-14 all 5 tyres...!
I guess maybe thats where they save money of giving you a great deal..!

aah78 · 6th May 2006, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharathjeppu

The spare wheel is however a standard Rim (non-alloy) with 165/80/R14 tyres.
The dealer explained this to me as an International norm in that a spare wheel is to be sparingly used.

Do all cars that come factory fitted with Alloys follow this rule?

Secondly, why are these norms applicable only for cars with alloy wheels?

shouldn't the spare size be 165/80R13? just want to confirm as the profile is more than your 14" alloys (profile 70). if the spare is 14" too with a profile of 80 then there might be mismatch.

no not all cars fitted with alloys follow this rule. certain manufacturers will give you all 5 tyres of the same type.

certain cars eg. lower end versions of the Camry and the Accord come factory fitted with steel wheels and a temporary spare.

a newer trend is developing in which cars that come with run-flat tires do not have a spare....

frankmehta · 6th May 2006, 23:28

almost all manufacturers outfit their cars with spare wheels that are smaller in size and different in dimensions from the main tyres cos of the fact that the driver must replace the spare wheel with the repaired main wheel as soon as the driver gets a chance so as to be prepared for another flat tyre

sharathjeppu · 7th May 2006, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by aah78

shouldn't the spare size be 165/80R13? just want to confirm as the profile is more than your 14" alloys (profile 70). if the spare is 14" too with a profile of 80 then there might be mismatch.

No, I think the dimensioning is right. The 70 & 80 here is actually is a percentage of the Tyre Width. Read this for more details.

70% of 185 is very close to 80% of 165. The difference is about 2.5 mm in terms of overall radius.

BuRnT RuBbEr · 7th May 2006, 08:09

even skoda gives out a spare steel wheel with alloy set. they expect you to replace the stepney as soon as you fix the regular wheel.

sbasak · 7th May 2006, 12:18

Nowadays it is a trend by manufactuers to supply a spare wheel of smaller size. They mainly do it to reduce cost [and thus make for profit].
Even the spare wheel space is designed for a smaller wheel. In most cases, the smaller spare wheel has a speed limit of 80 km/h max. [usually printed on the side of spare]
However, it is recommened that you replace this with a standard wheel.

Hellraiser · 19th December 2006, 20:44

guys i recently upgraded to alloys and bigger tyres on my ohc 195/50/r15 ,as the general norm is i got only 4 alloys so now my concern is what will hapen if one of the tyre gets punctured??can i drive with the 13` rim i have for some distance ,will it effect the ride or should i purchase the 5th one???

sreenivass · 20th December 2006, 00:48

I think its a kind of good thing to have smaller spare wheel, so guys fix the regular one ASAP.

I made it a point to get full size alloy spare for my Petra despite the dealer telling me you get only 4 alloys, spare does not have to be alloy , etc...

For at least two cars I drove in US, Old Corolla and Mercury Sable the spare wheels were smaller than regular ones.

pramodkumar · 20th December 2006, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharathjeppu

I have a Swift ZXi with Stock Tyres 185/70/R14 and Alloys
The spare wheel is however a standard Rim (non-alloy) with 165/80/R14 tyres.
The dealer explained this to me as an International norm in that a spare wheel is to be sparingly used.

It made sense to me but I had never heard this before. Do all cars that come factory fitted with Alloys follow this rule?

Secondly, why are these norms applicable only for cars with alloy wheels?

Lastly, is there an existing thread which discusses on Tyre rotation practices?

Guess what i went to this maruti service station in gurgaon called vipul motors and there was a poster which said " All swift zxi owners replace your spare wheel for a new alloy wheel for free" Check with your service station they might have this offer. this shop is next to the autopsyche workshop you can also pm him to confirm. try this if you get it for free then whats bad.

iraghava · 20th December 2006, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by pramodkumar

Guess what i went to this maruti service station in gurgaon called vipul motors and there was a poster which said " All swift zxi owners replace your spare wheel for a new alloy wheel for free" Check with your service station they might have this offer. this shop is next to the autopsyche workshop you can also pm him to confirm. try this if you get it for free then whats bad.

Pramod this post was made in May I suppose the user has already availed the free replacement offered by MUL to all Swift ZXi customers. Please check the post date before posting replies.

pramodkumar · 20th December 2006, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by iraghava

Pramod this post was made in May I suppose the user has already availed the free replacement offered by MUL to all Swift ZXi customers. Please check the post date before posting replies.

I have seen the post date but dont you see the discussion is still active? i was just sharing some info. what if he still has his spare wheel? we simply cannot go by assumptions. I hope this clears my intentions.

kpzen · 20th December 2006, 16:16

Hey Ishan ..!!
This thread was given life by this off topic post......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellraiser

guys i recently upgraded to alloys and bigger tyres on my ohc 195/50/r15 ,as the general norm is i got only 4 alloys so now my concern is what will hapen if one of the tyre gets punctured??can i drive with the 13` rim i have for some distance ,will it effect the ride or should i purchase the 5th one???

esteem_lover · 21st December 2006, 13:33

isn't rotating all 5 tyres the best practice ? or maybe not.

6th May 2006, 06:04	#1
sharathjeppu BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 159 Thanked: 4 Times	Spare wheel is a different size! I have a Swift ZXi with Stock Tyres 185/70/R14 and Alloys The spare wheel is however a standard Rim (non-alloy) with 165/80/R14 tyres. The dealer explained this to me as an International norm in that a spare wheel is to be sparingly used. It made sense to me but I had never heard this before. Do all cars that come factory fitted with Alloys follow this rule? Secondly, why are these norms applicable only for cars with alloy wheels? Lastly, is there an existing thread which discusses on Tyre rotation practices?
	() Thanks

6th May 2006, 10:22	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,497 Thanked: 300,308 Times View My Garage	Sharath, The swift spare tyre has caught many owners by surprise, but it is a standard practice with many manufacturers around the world. Popularly called as the "space saver", a non-alloy regular wheel / tyre was also there on my Honda Accord in the States. However, Maruti appears to have clearly done it for saving cost. GTO
	() Thanks

6th May 2006, 21:23	#3
wolfinstein BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 994 Thanked: 20 Times	Got the regular size wheel for the Lancer- Alloy SFXi- R-14 all 5 tyres...! I guess maybe thats where they save money of giving you a great deal..!
	() Thanks

6th May 2006, 23:28	#5
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,000 Thanked: 3,577 Times View My Garage	almost all manufacturers outfit their cars with spare wheels that are smaller in size and different in dimensions from the main tyres cos of the fact that the driver must replace the spare wheel with the repaired main wheel as soon as the driver gets a chance so as to be prepared for another flat tyre
	() Thanks

7th May 2006, 08:09	#7
BuRnT RuBbEr BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: DL 1 Posts: 367 Thanked: 13 Times	even skoda gives out a spare steel wheel with alloy set. they expect you to replace the stepney as soon as you fix the regular wheel.
	() Thanks

7th May 2006, 12:18	#8
sbasak BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CCU-LTN Posts: 608 Thanked: 14 Times	Nowadays it is a trend by manufactuers to supply a spare wheel of smaller size. They mainly do it to reduce cost [and thus make for profit]. Even the spare wheel space is designed for a smaller wheel. In most cases, the smaller spare wheel has a speed limit of 80 km/h max. [usually printed on the side of spare] However, it is recommened that you replace this with a standard wheel.
	() Thanks

19th December 2006, 20:44	#9
Hellraiser BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: delhi Posts: 71 Thanked: 0 Times	guys i recently upgraded to alloys and bigger tyres on my ohc 195/50/r15 ,as the general norm is i got only 4 alloys so now my concern is what will hapen if one of the tyre gets punctured??can i drive with the 13` rim i have for some distance ,will it effect the ride or should i purchase the 5th one???
	() Thanks

20th December 2006, 00:48	#10
sreenivass BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore India Posts: 932 Thanked: 44 Times View My Garage	I think its a kind of good thing to have smaller spare wheel, so guys fix the regular one ASAP. I made it a point to get full size alloy spare for my Petra despite the dealer telling me you get only 4 alloys, spare does not have to be alloy , etc... For at least two cars I drove in US, Old Corolla and Mercury Sable the spare wheels were smaller than regular ones.
	() Thanks

21st December 2006, 13:33	#15
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	isn't rotating all 5 tyres the best practice ? or maybe not.
	() Thanks