Driving on my donut spare tire

[P951]

I have an '86 951 and I'm having my fuchs refinished, one wheel at a time. I am driving on my donut, which says that it has a maximum speed of 50mph. Each wheel will take about a week to refinish, so the whole process about 1 month. I am staying on the back roads to get to/from work and making sure I never exceed 50 mph. I estimate that I will be driving about 75 miles a week, so about 300 total miles on my donut. Is this safe to do, or should I just go out and get a used tire for this process?

[nynor]

i'd be for getting a real tire.

[P951]

Will a full size tire fit on my donut rim?

[deekay911]

Even if, God forbid, there isn't a terrible accident, think about the inconvenience if the donut gives up miles away from hime - you don't got a spare anymore. I don't think I would want to take the chance - those donuts are really not designed for that kind of use.

[P951]

Allright, I think I will pick up a used fullsize tire then. Can I simply mount it on the donut rim?

[Icey1174]

A real tire would be better for a lot of reasons. And no, it will not fit on that rim. So you would have to find another rim and tire of the same size as the ones on the car. I have seen some people put hundreds of miles on a doughnut because they couldn't afford a new tire. Although I don't think it will destroy your car and if it's in decent shape I'm sure it can hold up to 300 miles of use over one month. Better planning of the project may have been better for you. I don't advise the use of the doughnut like this, but I have seen it done a lot and I have yet to see any ill effects from it. Just keep a real good eye on it if you have to use it like you are right now. The world will not be set a fire and a large gapping hole will not swallow you and your car. Just not the best idea is all.

[Icey1174]

lol... is it spelled donut or doughnut??? we are not eatting them... well maybe I am I was not a super speller in school.

[Dave L]

why not pick up a cheap set of wheels, cookie cutters or phonedials and get all 4 rims finished at the same time?

[P951]

I contacted discount tire and they are going to loan me a full size tire and rim to fit my car for $150 for the month. Upon return, they will credit me $100. So for $50, problem solved. I just have to wait until Tuesday for it to come in. Thanks for your input and I definitely feel alot better about my situation. Thanks again - Jeff

[Icey1174]

Good idea Jeff! That will work out real well for you and no more worries! Post some pics of you rims when they're done.

[Eldorado]

do what i'm doing..
work on one wheel.... when you're not working, put it back on the car

[Icey1174]

I like my phone dials! I am starting to think that everyone else does not like them!

[P951]

I will post pics of my rims when they are done. I'm having the flaking chrome stripped off chemically and then they will be polished. No Chrome, but alot less expensive. Pictures in about a month

[Aufgeladen944]

Also, if it's the tire that came with the car, it's really old now, and probably not a good idea to drive on unless you absolutely have to.

[mjadair]

It's a good thing that you did that. The tire is not designed to last long as it is a very soft compound due to the need to be stretched. I once had to drive on mine until payday which was almost 2 weeks, it is bald now. I have to get another one on ebay or somewhere like that.

How much does wheel refinishing cost? And what is a good source for this service? Can they fix slightly bent rims?

Mark

[TibetanT]

Hey Mark:

If you are looking for a Porsche spare for the 944, I have one for sale.

How does $75.00 plus shipping sound? Excellent condition since it has never been mounted.

Let me know

[mjadair]

You mean the same kind that came with the car? Or a real rim?

[TibetanT]

Yes, it would be the same spare that came with the car from the Porsche factory new.