different brand spare tire

[robhurlburt]

I just replaced all 4 tires on my 4runner with some conti's. I have a 1/2-3/4 worn Dunlop on my spare, same size. how finicky is the 4wd on these? I know on an AWD system (like the V8) its not a good idea, but my V6 is open/open right?

its going to be used as a spare, but sometimes on long road trips I could go 500mi before I get to my destination before I would be able to patch the new tire. also, my spare rim is in awful shape and peeling and I would rather not include it in the tire rotation if needed (with a new tire on it).

all the threads I searched for mentioned the full time/AWD V8s.

 

[Brutalguyracing]

throw it on the front and don't use 4wd if it worries you
but should be just fine

 

[kakuno]

I have the full time 4wd v8. So if I go to a 285/70/17 would I really have to change my spare (currently 265/65/17) to that size as well? I thought it would be ok if I needed to limp somewhere (for aesthetic reasons I would never want to run a different rim for very long anyways). It would also be a pain if I did since my winter tires are also 265/65/17.

Are you saying that if there is a flat that the smaller tire should go up front or is that just speaking for the v6?

Thanks for any response

 

[JB.]

robhurlburt,

What Brutalguyracing said.

kakuno,

He means the V6.

If you had to run that way, my view is you'd have limp capability, as in 10s of miles, no freeways. I'd make a sizeable bar bet on it working (and doing no damage but you can't prove that), but if it was really your intention to run that way you should test it out (and realize you're driving in limp mode - emergency handling, braking would suffer).

However, since the extra tire doesn't cost you any more in the long run, cost is no reason not to get it. If you can't afford 5, you can't afford 4. Bottom line, get the matching spare. I'd expect you to be able to stuff it in the spare compartment, but you might want to check that out.

 

[Brutalguyracing]

Yea v8 MUST have spare tire with in 4-32"
Do u really want to risk major damage
Spares are cheap
Just my .02

 

[kakuno]

had[/I] to run that way, my view is you'd have limp capability, as in 10s of miles, no freeways. I'd make a siezable bar bet on it working (and doing no damage but you can't prove that), but if it was really your intention to run that way you should test it out (and realize you're driving in limp mode - emergency handling, braking would suffer).

However, since the extra tire doesn't cost you any more in the long run, cost is no reason not to get it. If you can't afford 5, you can't afford 4. Bottom line, get the matching spare. I'd expect you to be able to stuff it in the spare compartment, but you might want to check that out.

I've never owned a full time 4wd before and never thought the spare being a different size would be a problem till I read this post. I would have thought that a smaller spare like my civic's and other previous cars I've had would be fine for an emergency tire.

I also run different mags in the summer then the spare and don't put it into my rotation.

I have read that I could most likely stuff the larger tire in the spot but then in the winter my other tires would be smaller than the spare.

 

[kakuno]

Yea v8 MUST have spare tire with in 4-32"
Do u really want to risk major damage
Spares are cheap
Just my .02

I guess I'll just have to look at buying another mag and larger spare tire for summer and keeping the current spare for winter. Unfortunately tires aren't as cheap in Canada as they are in the states. Probably be an extra $550.00 for a spare tire and mag just to have in an emergency.

But alas you have to pay to play :juggle:

 

[BlackWorksInc]

You might have trouble squeezing a 285/70R17 in the spare tire area, my Nitto Terra Grappler on my Sport Rims won't fit in there with the factory tow hitch.

But yeah, the V8's you want be close to the right size. I think (not entirely sure) that the ABS may even interpret the wheel speed difference from the factory P265/65R17 (about 30.8") and the LT285/70R (about 32.8") as an issue and try to compensate. In any case it does strain the differential.

 

[kakuno]

I'm just glad to be on here to heed the advise of others. I've learned a lot just perusing different posts and asking questions on here. So thanks to all the professionals on here.

I've got all winter to figure it out before I buy new shoes. :smow: I do want to stuff as big a tire as I can in the wheel wells. But like I say, I wasn't planning on doing anything with the spare till now. Might have to change the new size to something that will fit underneath too. :shrug:

 

[Brutalguyracing]

I'm just glad to be on here to heed the advise of others. I've learned a lot just perusing different posts and asking questions on here. So thanks to all the professionals on here.

I've got all winter to figure it out before I buy new shoes. :smow: I do want to stuff as big a tire as I can in the wheel wells. But like I say, I wasn't planning on doing anything with the spare till now. Might have to change the new size to something that will fit underneath too. :shrug:

pretty sure some guys are stuffing 33's under there

 

[Ask10]

Someone correct me if wrong, but if wherever you turn the steering wheel, you're experiencing differences in speed between all the wheels (front left right rear) all at the same time. The biggest issue is going to be extended (like, 20,000 miles) of difference in speed, but for usage as a spare, I'm thinking you wouldn't have any trouble, even for something like a roadtrip. I have two different sets of tires (fronts have good tread but are worn out) on my 4WD 3rd gen and there's been no issue. 300k now, and I used 4WD plenty. Also, I live in Hawaii and there's always curving roads, twists and turns, so I venture to say 1/2 of my driving is around a bend of some sort, haha.

Also, Audi (known for picky for EVERYTHING), say that 4/32" is acceptable for tire wear differences, and given that they say it works period (under any circumstance), a 1/2 to 3/4 worn spare tire would fall in that category right?

So, in essence, I wouldn't worry.

 

[Brutalguyracing]

Its a age old debate
Me id rather not find out the hard way
Much easier to do it right
They make tolerances for a reason
Then again i am just some guy on the internet

 

[JB.]

Someone correct me if wrong, but if wherever you turn the steering wheel, you're experiencing differences in speed between all the wheels (front left right rear) all at the same time. The biggest issue is going to be extended (like, 20,000 miles) of difference in speed, but for usage as a spare, I'm thinking you wouldn't have any trouble, even for something like a roadtrip. I have two different sets of tires (fronts have good tread but are worn out) on my 4WD 3rd gen and there's been no issue. 300k now, and I used 4WD plenty. Also, I live in Hawaii and there's always curving roads, twists and turns, so I venture to say 1/2 of my driving is around a bend of some sort, haha.

Also, Audi (known for picky for EVERYTHING), say that 4/32" is acceptable for tire wear differences, and given that they say it works period (under any circumstance), a 1/2 to 3/4 worn spare tire would fall in that category right?

So, in essence, I wouldn't worry.

I tend to agree with you on the specific issue of differential wear rates. If I had to run with that configuration, differential wear would not be my area of concern.

There are two additional issues at play.

(1) The deterioration in emergency handling when running that way on pavement. Throw in high freeway speeds and it becomes something I'd rather avoid.
(2) The remote but possible issue of brake traction control (or perhaps even VSC) activating due to size difference. Watching video of my truck in deep snow convinces me the difference would have to be much more than two inches in diameter to make that a problem, but I wouldn't run with a spare of that difference without conducting a test first to make sure.

So my position is, if it's used, treat it more like a donut spare than a standard replacement spare and test it out first to make sure it doesn't create a problem.

 

[Burnzy]

pretty sure some guys are stuffing 33's under there

I guess anything's possible. I have a 265/70/17 Terra Grappler underneath, and honestly I don't think anything bigger will fit without hitting the panhard bar.