Spare Tire Question

juan ruiz · juan ruiz's Garage

Today, I try to put air in the spare tire, but I was not able to do so? Is there a special tool to do this? I have included a few photos of what the tire looks alike right now, WTF? It's going on here???

scotricker · 09-16-2011, 08:18 PM

It should just pop and get bigger with more air. Add more and see what happens!

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

If it is an emergency spare they can look odd compared to a regular tire.

Appears you have a schrader valve so it should be like filling up a bicycle tire. What is not working? Can you hear air going in?

HarryD · 09:02 PM

Your spare looks odd. Do you have two schrader valves? What size is the tire?

My 15" looks like the one in this picture (thanks to cpfoster):

There is a 16" one that looks like this (thanks to pordude):

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

+1 put some more air into it, 30 lbs???

Be Warned the valve's rubber washer will get brittle over time and leak. Ask me how I know.

I simply replaced it with a standard rubber valve at my local tire shop, works perfectly.

Quicksilver · 09-16-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

+1 put some more air into it, 30 lbs???

. . .

The collapsible spare for the Carreras should be inflated to 36psi. (Not sure about the later cars...)

The one thing not mentioned so far... These cars came with an air compressor so you can inflate it when you need it.

The important detail from the manual:
- "The spare wheel may only be fitted at the front. This means that when one of the rear wheels is defective, the intact front wheel on the same side of the car must be fitted at the rear."

The manual also instructs that you inflate the spare after it is mounted. (But I'm not sure why that would make a difference.)

vracer · vracer's Garage

I think the question for most of us is: If we fill it to test, will it shrink back down to fit the opening?

madmmac · madmmac's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by vracer

I think the question for most of us is: If we fill it to test, will it shrink back down to fit the opening?

Yes, it will shrink back down.

Try filling it with a real air compressor, not the 12v weezer that came with the car.

juan ruiz · juan ruiz's Garage

Thank you guys!! Mine looks like the red one. I realized that a compressor is needed. However, I was able to fill it somewhat it with a bicycle pump, I hope I don't need to use it in today's trip and if a rear tire go out somehow this thing will have to work back there, Thanks for the help!!