Options for spare tire

[Michael7810]

I never gave this much thought until I read a horror story about a local Cayman owner getting stranded on a Saturday night in a remote part of the state without a spare, jack, lug wrench (new cars don't have these) and spotty cell service. AAA was having trouble finding a flatbed in the area and he ended up calling Porsche Roadside assistance and got a flatbed to tow him 200 miles to the closest dealer. The saga took about 12 hours and it was pouring rain the entire wait. His sidewall was cut so fix-a-flat wouldn't help.

My '85 Carrera has the original collapsable spare and I don't think it's ever been used. So my questions are:
1- If I inflate it to see if it holds air, can I re-collapse it and fit it back in the well?
2- What are the options for getting a new spare, either collapsable or full size?
3- Assuming I can use my spare, do you have a recommendation for a decent 12V air compressor?
4- I have the original jack but would carrying a scissors jack be a better option?

Thanks for helping out.

[Ian Comerford]

I think many of us have used the collapsible spare and been surprised at how easy it all was. I guess its deterioration over time is lessened by being kept out of sunlight most of its life. The original jack works well, just give it a lube to make it work a bit easier. Original compressors occasionally come on the market but the prices asked make it worth considering alternatives, but I can’t help there. The thing that amazed me most with my spare when I used it was I had the received wisdom that spacesavers should only be used at around 55mph. Not Porsche, the handbook says not to exceed 160kmh ie 100mph…..

[Tony V]

I’ve never inflated my spare and share the concern. I did purchase a great compressor on Amazon. Relatively quiet, compared to many and a workhorse. Built like a tank, it fills the tire quickly.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MXL71A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Not the cheapest, but a lot less than an old Porsche unit.
Tony

[darrin]

Also worth carrying (and reading up on how to use) a tire plug kit -- this one's overkill (have it for my sprinter van), but would allow me to remove a screw/nail/etc (and plug the hole left by it) and then pump back up a skewered tire https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E635PGA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[91166 Carrera]

Michael7810, great questions! I'm surprised they haven't been asked a long time ago. I have the collapsible spare tire and an '80's factory pump, which is practically useless, in my '76 Carrera. I've never inflated the spare because I thought that it wouldn't compress back to its deflated size. I'll watch this thread to see what comes up.
Harry
__________________
'76 Euro Carrera 3.0 Targa

[darrin]

Michael7810 -- here's what I understand on the topic

1) If I inflate it to see if it holds air, can I re-collapse it and fit it back in the well?

Yes -- I did this many years ago on my 911, w/o issue. Others have done so more recently with same result

2) What are the options for getting a new spare, either collapsable or full size?

Not many (any?) -- other, relatively more recent cars use the same size spare tire (e.g. the Mercedes SLK), but NOS versions of these that I researched still had tire date codes that were several decades old. You could carry a full-sized spare in the trunk, but that'd take up all your space.

3) Assuming I can use my spare, do you have a recommendation for a decent 12V air compressor?

this has been covered by others, there are quite a few options on amazon

4) I have the original jack but would carrying a scissors jack be a better option?

IMO, no -- the beauty of the factory jack is that it's designed to fit into the factory jackpoint and will lift up the entire side of the car when used. I've used my factory jack a lot (used it for several seasons to swap out winter/summer wheels) without issue. While it is flimsy, if you're careful to fully insert the jacking piece into the jack plate and set the jack up so it's perpendicular to the ground (and chock a wheel on the other side, it does a pretty good job -- IMO, a scissor jack would not provide too much benefit as the 911's jacking points are not set up for a scissor jack's use.

[Michael7810]

Great responses so far. Thanks to all. I like the ViAir compressor on Amazon and will probably get that, and carry the factory jack and a lug wrench. I've used the tire plug kits before and will pick one up just in case (although the last time I used a plug and subsequently took the tire to a tire shop for proper repair they would not do it since, according to them, I compromised the tire by plugging it). I'll try inflating my spare at home to be sure it's OK and report back how that worked out. Thanks again for the help!

[porsche930dude]

If you have a limited slip diff it may be better to install the spare on the front and swap a front to rear. Depending on your tire diameters. It can burn it up if they are too far off and going a long distance. Thats also a good reason to use a factory jack as it lifts the whole side. The tire is molded in the collapsed position so that is its natural state. They dont like being inflated at all. I kept one inflated for a month or so and it ruined it. There was a million cracks in it like shattered glass. I use a scissor jack with a little nub welded on top. It allows me to jack up the wheel at the a arm close to the tire so i only have to lift it an inch or so as opposed to the factory one which takes many inches to get the tires off the ground. It has its downsides. Crawling under the car is one. The other is most jacks arnt low enough to get under the arm when the tire is flat. So some macguvering may be required

[ian c2]

One thing I will suggest , is take off a rear wheel and see if you can safely fit it anywhere In the car .
A spacesaver is useless to get you to a tyre if you cannot take the wheel with you …..

[Cloggie]

Originally Posted by ian c2

One thing I will suggest , is take off a rear wheel and see if you can safely fit it anywhere In the car .
A spacesaver is useless to get you to a tyre if you cannot take the wheel with you …..

Interestingly this has come up in the past and apparently the factory approved method is to use the garbage bag that came in the tool kit (!!) and place the flat tire in the passenger's seat or on the passenger's lap....as it most definitely will not fit in the frunk and the rear seating area is also questionable to get into.

I wish I could find the post....but it may be back to Porschephiles time....

[Otter74]

I recently discovered battery-powered portable compressors (e.g. Ryobi, etc.) - they use the same batteries that a given maker's tools do) and that's probably what I'd get. In fact, it's what I will get to take in whatever car I'm taking on a trip. If you already have a compatible battery from whatever maker, they're cheap. In the meantime, I keep a plug-in compressor in the car.

I also keep a plug kit in my trunk, though I've never had to use it.

Depending on your tires size(s), I suppose you could put a smaller, pre-74 fuel tank in the car and put a full-size spare in. Maybe a 205/55-16 would fit?

[Otter74]

I recently discovered battery-powered portable compressors (e.g. Ryobi, etc.) - they use the same batteries that a given maker's tools do) and that's probably what I'd get. In fact, it's what I will get to take in whatever car I'm taking on a trip. If you already have a compatible battery from whatever maker, they're cheap. In the meantime, I keep a plug-in compressor in the car.

I also keep a plug kit in my trunk, though I've never had to use it.

Depending on your tires size(s), I suppose you could put a smaller, pre-74 fuel tank in the car and put a full-size spare in. Maybe a 205/55-16 would fit?

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

If you have a limited slip diff it may be better to install the spare on the front and swap a front to rear. Depending on your tire diameters. It can burn it up if they are too far off and going a long distance. Thats also a good reason to use a factory jack as it lifts the whole side. The tire is molded in the collapsed position so that is its natural state. They dont like being inflated at all. I kept one inflated for a month or so and it ruined it. There was a million cracks in it like shattered glass. I use a scissor jack with a little nub welded on top. It allows me to jack up the wheel at the a arm close to the tire so i only have to lift it an inch or so as opposed to the factory one which takes many inches to get the tires off the ground. It has its downsides. Crawling under the car is one. The other is most jacks arnt low enough to get under the arm when the tire is flat. So some macguvering may be required

If you read the owner's manual, a flat in the rear is a royal pain in the butt. You are SUPPOSED to remove the front tire, and put that on the rear, and then the spare on the front. Then you have to find a place to put the big rear tire and wheel.

I carry a large "drum liner" trash bag just to put the dirty old tire in.

And I carry some gloves, and hand cleaner to clean my hands up some. On my many road trips, I also carry a painter's overalls, and a few towels.

I have been lucky and never had a flat or tire problem on my many road trips. I have driven my 911 in 41 states and Canada and well over 100,000 miles.

[Walt Fricke]

You can fit a full sized rim/tire combination in the rear seat area of a 911. In fact, you can fit several. The plastic bag is a good idea, of course.

I have experience with plugging the hole in a flat tire. If the hole is in the tread and is round (nail, screw, pop rivet stem), works fine. If it is triangular or otherwise not round (shards from an exploded engine, for instance), chances are the plug won't work - didn't for me. I've done this on slicks at the track a number of times. If you really feel the need for an interior tire patch, have the shop dismount the tire and give it to you. Maybe take it to another shop to put it back on after you have applied a patch. Me, I'd just leave the plug, but these were track tires with very limited life spans. . For a street tire, the calculus might be different.

[wrxnofx]

I had tested out the collapsible spare a few years ago in preparation for driving from Minnesota to California for Rennsport Reunion. There is a secondary valve on the collapsible rim that releases the air quickly.

From what I can tell, the big bummer is that the F body cars had a different fuel tank that enabled a full size spare with 15" wheel to fit. The fuel tank on my '87 has a different shape, so I'm stuck with the collapsible spare since a full size wheel/tire doesn't fit.

I literally just dealt with a tire puncture a few weeks ago before my 6 hour drive home from Road America. It was Sunday (of course) so no shops were open. I used the stock jack that came with the car and frankly it worked VERY well. A self-tapping screw punctured the tread area of one of my front tires.


I used a plug to plug the puncture. One of my buddies at the track has a '73 911T, so he has a full size spare in his frunk that I could have used to get home in a pinch. Fortunately, the puncture was in an area that enabled the plug to work well.


The best option for compressor in my opinion is if you have any cordless electric tools, they probably make a compressor that uses the same batteries. I have all 20V Dewalt impact drivers, sawzall, jigsaw, heat gun, circular saw, etc. So I ended up getting the Dewalt compressor and bring it on every road trip I go on. This way I don't have to worry about the car's wiring handling a compressor. The compressor is very versatile and even has an LED light on it if you're stranded out in a dark area. Just dial up the desired final pressure and the compressor does the rest.



https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcc020ib/20v-max-cordedcordless-air-inflator

[Michael7810]

I bought the ViAir inflator that Darrin recommended above. I tried it out and it is very quiet and filled my tires quickly. I will use it to test fill my collapsible spare and report back how that goes. If the spare works out, all I need to pickup is a plug kit and I’ll be ready for a road trip. The garage never gets below 95F this time of the year so I probably won’t test the spare until September.

[EC900]

I bought a generic Intercompressor (obsolete) Porsche inflator for $20, similar to the one that came with later 80’s SC’s Make sure the inflator you get that the cig lighter plugs into the port because the US standards are different Euro.

I didn’t have either a compressor or tool kit so in addition I carry ;
Tire plug kit, 1/2” drive 19mm deep socket, breaker and/or ratchet, 2 -16” length of 2x6 lumber to set jack on soft dirt, disposable rain poncho, garbage bag for muddy wet tire, gloves And a GOOD High Lumen LED LIGHT !

Yes, go ahead and familiarize yourself with the inflation of that space-saver (29 psi) to make absolutely sure it holds air. It take about 3-5 mins to fill. Open the valve and it does deflate back to its compact size, that’s the deign.
Having those two 2x6 boards gives you a bit of lift when rolling up a trailer ramp or flatbed to clear the front spoiler/valance when a tow truck is needed in any situation.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

If you have a limited slip diff it may be better to install the spare on the front and swap a front to rear.

This is apparently how you are supposed to use the spacesaver, regardless of whether you have an LSD or not... In other words, the spacesaver should never be fitted to the rear.

[donporfi]

If you do not trust your old space saver tyre. You can buy a new one from Pelican.
You must buy the complete assembly, wheel and tyre, we have tried to buy the tire only with no avail. Tyre manufacturers do not want to sell.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/92836203002.htm?pn=928-362-030-02-OEM

[darrin]

Originally Posted by donporfi

If you do not trust your old space saver tyre. You can buy a new one from Pelican.
You must buy the complete assembly, wheel and tyre, we have tried to buy the tire only with no avail. Tyre manufacturers do not want to sell.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/92836203002.htm?pn=928-362-030-02-OEM

I'd recommend getting them to confirm the date code on the tire before you buy - when I looked into this recently(ish) on eBay, all the "new" wheel / tire combos had tires with date codes that were a decade/decades old. Suspect they're really NOS