Tires

M

mlrff

Member
So I have read the threads about the tire sizes and choices that fit on a limited but I havend found anything on if I go one size up can I still use my spare ..I will guess that iwill, have tochange that.
 
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In short, no. With full time 4wd, even unlocked, you’re going to have problems with mismatched tire sizes. Manual might say something explicit about this.
 
I always carry a matching spare… matching rim, matching tire. It doesn’t take much to do it right.

Rim doesn’t need to match, but it’s nice when it does. Even with a busted tire I still look fly.
 
jbinmd said:
I've owned several AWD vehicles that came with a "donut" spare. Audi, Lexus, Mazda...

Probably fine if you plan to use your spare just as a spare, I would think.
Click to expand...

IIRC, Toyotas 4wd and awd has a 2-3% acceptable variance in tire size. Running a slight smaller spare for a very short period can be acceptable.
 
I matched my spare on the size, but bought a cheaper P rated tire (Pathfinder AT at Discount Tire). The P rated tire was also lighter. I don't do 5 wheel rotations so no big deal to have a different kind of tire as a spare, but I wanted the same size.
 
You can use any rim and tire, its only the overall diameter that actually matters.

I also heard a 2% to 3% tolerance is acceptable.
 
What are you doing with your spare? Getting back to a tire shop, or driving for the next 6 weeks?

If the answer is getting to somewhere to repair your regular tire - about any spare will work. The Stock one is fine. You will not notice any difference at all in normal driving between that tire and 285s. Literally you will not know it's there.

If you're headed for a 6 month trip across south america - get a matching spare... or two. If you're going somewhere remote - ask yourself if you'd be confident driving on the spare in terms of durability to resist another puncture and traction to work for what you're doing. The second flat tire is really a bummer if you don't have a second spare tire.

A matching spare is always the best option, but certainly not necessary. The smaller tire for a short period of time will not harm anything, will not make highway travel dangerous, and will not be noticeable to you as a driver. If someone tells you different - they probably haven't ever tried it. Try it yourself.
 
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mlrff said:
I was going to go to a 275/55r20 ...I do have a full size spare..
Click to expand...

The stock tire is 31.61 inches. The 275/55-20 is 31.91, a difference of 1% in height (it is also 3.8% wider). That would be no problem for a spare application.

And to reply to some earlier comments from another poster, I wouldn't recommend running different ply (P vs E) at the same time. A heavier tire can ride different and could potentially cause control issues. It isn't recommended by tire manufacturers. In a pinch on a spare probably not a big deal, but I would not run my tires that way.
 
Not trying to "jack" this thread but, does anyone know how large of a spare tire you can fit in the stock location if you have KDSS?
 
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