Space saver spare... How long are these supposed to last?

[scary driving]

Hello Everyone:

So AGM and I are getting our stuff ready to go to the Hill Country Rally, and we came to the uncomfortable question of, “Do those spare tires still work?” I mean, should I even try to inflate it to test it? Are we supposed to replace them every once in a while like conventional tires? Anyone has used theirs? Really clueless here.

[Canada Kev]

I had to use mine a year and a half ago. I was about 250 miles from home and discovered I had a low tire that later turned into a flat and wouldn't hold air more than a couple hours due to a cracked wheel. So, in order to get home I had to air up the donut, move my front wheel to the rear and mount the spare up front. I had to drive slow - limited to 100 km/h - but I made it home without incident.

I had a couple backup plans in case I ran into issues, but things went well. It was certainly not my preferred method, but it was better than the alternatives. And I got my car home safe and sound.

[smadsen]

I inflated mine a year ago to whatever the rating is on the tire. It's OEM collapsible delivered stock on a 1982 SC so the tire was 35+ years old at the time. It inflated without a hitch. Was not weather checked or dry rotted on the outside.

Not a fool though. Put an in-line pressure gauge at the compressor and put the tire outside by the side of the house...just in case. Can't attest to the safety of driving on it, but on a dark & stormy night, far from home.....

[Lyle O]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but what do you do with the tire after you have used it? If you deflate it, does it go back to the original compact size, and you just put it back in the trunk? I have never used mine, and don't recall if the owners manual addresses this (and I am traveling and can't check). A search here reveals a comment from one member where he deflated, but it would not completely go to where it was before (tough to stuff back into its crib). Just wondering...

[autojack]

I had to use mine while one of my rims was sent out for refurbishment. I just needed to be able to move the car back and forth in the garage while I worked on it. The tire inflated and held pressure for three weeks. Then I let the air out and it naturally went back to the collapsed shape. The rubber looked and felt fine, but I wouldn't kid myself. It's 30 years old, I would be very wary of driving even 40 MPH on it. If I got a flat, I'd use the spare, but do my best to take it easy and stick to streets instead of the highway.

[Uwon]

^^^ditto. Unscrew the valve and collapses.
I’ve installed this unit by Orange on both my P-cars.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Orange-P429-TPMS-OTO-Wireless-Auto-Locate-Tire-Pressure-Monitoring-System-74-Psi-/362208285833
The first one lasted for 6 years so then I bought two sets. At that price ($140 on sale at the time) just bought the complete units rather than the sensors. Monitor shows tire pressures and temperature plus battery voltage. Low pressure, high temperature and low battery warnings. What a deal.
Johan

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by Lyle O

Maybe this is a dumb question, but what do you do with the tire after you have used it? If you deflate it, does it go back to the original compact size, and you just put it back in the trunk? I have never used mine, and don't recall if the owners manual addresses this (and I am traveling and can't check). A search here reveals a comment from one member where he deflated, but it would not completely go to where it was before (tough to stuff back into its crib). Just wondering...

I took out the valve when I deflated mine and left it overnight. In the morning, it was collapsed right back to where it was before I started.

I think that having these stored in out of the light is the only reason it was viable to use after thirty years. I can't imagine a spare on a vehicle like a Jeep Wrangler where it's stored outside would be much good after a decade. Even on vehicles where they're carried underneath, I don't think they'd be still ok to use at that age.

I did NOT want to use mine because of the age, but I had little choice and options. Try to mitigate the risk by driving as slow as you can while still being safe in traffic, inspect the tire and air pressure regularly while in use. On my 250 mile trek, I was hyper vigilant and drove like that proverbial little old lady on Sunday morning, but smoother. My radio was off the entire time so I could hear any odd sounds in case I didn't feel them first.

I was subject to some good natured teasing by a group of fellow air cooled engine travellers (a bunch of Harley riding HA) at a Dairy Queen rest break and inspection, but I was more concerned about getting home than looking cool.

Those tires are designed to get home in an emergency, and after reviewing the risks and potential issues, I elected to go for it. I was nervous and cautious, but in my case, it worked great.

[Dan Proudfoot]

Are replacement 'tires' for these spares available? Dealerships? Other?

[Bill Douglas]

It always gives me a giggle. Page 55 of the owners manual: Do not drive more than 100MPH with the space saver tire.

Geez, these Germans. LOL, I don't think I'd go much over 30MPH with it.

[porsche930dude]

From what iv read most people have no problem using them. I have heard a few stories of them failing but only a few cases. I had one inflated for a few months on a car and it cracked in a million pieces like a windshield does. Still held air but it was scary to get near it to deflate. The rubber is molded in the colapsed position so inflating it stresses the rubber.

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

It always gives me a giggle. Page 55 of the owners manual: Do not drive more than 100MPH with the space saver tire.

It was probably 100 KM/h. That's what mine said on the big sticker on the spare.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Canada Kev

It was probably 100 KM/h. That's what mine said on the big sticker on the spare.

What it it about this place.

[proporsche]

hi boys..
When i drove cross country back (LA-PA) in 1991 in my 911 1977S ,i blew a rear tire before Phoenix Ar.
I drove on one of these spare tires 70 miles about 80m/h and i had no problem or eve though about not being safe. These spares are made from very good material..

Ivan

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

What it it about this place.

That's Awesome!!

[2jmotorsports]

Anyone use a spare from a newer 911 like a 996 or Boxster? I imagine any newer than that the diameter gets too big.

[Iciclehead]

The really big question is where do you put the flat tire? It won't fit in the frunk if there is luggage for sure.

I gather there was an OE garbage bag that you used to put it on the passenger's lap....can't imagine that would help the situation as the interior noise level would be deafening....at least with my ex it would have been....

Dennis

[TibetanT]

I have used my spare several times since the car was new with no problems. It always takes back its shape when deflated so you can put it back in the trunk.

I believe in these German made spares, greatly, for emergency use and even bought a spare for my spare right here on these forums. Not that I will ever need it.

Got to agree that it was very hard to decide were to put the flat Fuch wheel when driving home. So ended up using a garbage bag, which I carry in the truck, and placed it gently in the back seat area of the car.

Drove home very, very slowly on back roads. I was lucky since I was only ten (10) miles from home when the unfortunate happened to me.

Unbelievable how good the rubber is on those spare tires.

[Quickstep192]

I have one that I bought at a swap meet. I inflated it once and it seemed fine, but I've never really trusted it. Plus, when the time comes, you have to inflate it.

I'm thinking about just putting a small tire on it like a 145/65/15 so it will fit in the recess in the gas tank.

Can you put a "regular" tire on these rims?

[juanbenae]

i use mine as a door stop in the garage. so bulky to carry around, still need a compressor to air up, the jack sux, & anyone who bought one of these cars new would never change their own tire. i carry two fix-a-flat bottles and AAA for a tow home if that don't work.

i yanked everyone of them out of my newest 911the 1st day i got it home. they are lame & heavy.

[autojack]

Originally Posted by Dan Proudfoot

Are replacement 'tires' for these spares available? Dealerships? Other?

No replacement available from what I've heard.