Get rid of that useless, dangerous standard emergency mini spare tire. Now!

[BocaDace]

Last week I had a flat that could not be repaired on my 2017 G80.

I had to drive around for 3 days on that emergency mini spare that came with my car. DANGEROUS AS ALL GET OUT.

Warnings on the tire and mfrs web site basically say, UNSAFE FOR MORE THAN A TOTAL OF 50 MILES...UNSAFE AT MORE THAN 50 MPH...UNSAFE WITH A FULLY LOADED CAR, UNSAFE, UNSAFE, UNSAFE!

After replacing all 4 tires, I spent a.total of $100 to buy a full size wheel from tire rack.com and had one of my old tires mounted and balanced on it. (Wheel was $75 and mounting it cost $25).

I sold the old mini spare for a few bucks, and now have a good spare tire I can drive at speed, under a full load, for thousands of miles, and not loose sleep over the safety of driving on a spare.

PS. I felt it was best to replace all four tires rather than drive around on one brand new tire and three old ones with about 1/3rd their tread life remaining.

My advice is to either buy your car with a full size spare, or get one ASAP from another source.

It's not expensive for your $50k car, and it could save your life and the lives of your passengers, too.

 

[TurtleBoy]

Last week I had a flat that could not be repaired on my 2017 G80.

I had to drive around for 3 days on that emergency mini spare that came with my car. DANGEROUS AS ALL GET OUT.

Warnings on the tire and mfrs web site basically say, UNSAFE FOR MORE THAN A TOTAL OF 50 MILES...UNSAFE AT MORE THAN 50 MPH...UNSAFE WITH A FULLY LOADED CAR, UNSAFE, UNSAFE, UNSAFE!

After replacing all 4 tires, I spent a.total of $100 to buy a full size wheel from tire rack.com and had one of my old tires mounted and balanced on it. (Wheel was $75 and mounting it cost $25).

I sold the old mini spare for a few bucks, and now have a good spare tire I can drive at speed, under a full load, for thousands of miles, and not loose sleep over the safety of driving on a spare.

PS. I felt it was best to replace all four tires rather than drive around on one brand new tire and three old ones with about 1/3rd their tread life remaining.

My advice is to either buy your car with a full size spare, or get one ASAP from another source.

It's not expensive for your $50k car, and it could save your life and the lives of your passengers, too.

Actually they are not dangerous at all. They are a temporary spare and will perform just fine if you follow the intended use/warnings/limitations on the tire. I'm sure there could be an odd problem here and there but have never heard of them being a safety issue.

There may be one somewhere but I am not aware of any passenger cars on the market today that come with a full size spare. Thanks to CAFE standards those days are well past us. You can certainly buy one but will have to give up the use of a large part of your trunk space.

Good luck and hope you will not need the spare in the future.

 

[BocaDace]

Actually they are not dangerous at all. They are a temporary spare and will perform just fine if you follow the intended use/warnings/limitations on the tire. I'm sure there could be an odd problem here and there but have never heard of them being a safety issue.

There may be one somewhere but I am not aware of any passenger cars on the market today that come with a full size spare. Thanks to CAFE standards those days are well past us. You can certainly buy one but will have to give up the use of a large part of your trunk space.

Good luck and hope you will not need the spare in the future.

Actually, the full size spare fits right in the spot where the old small spare goes on both my 8 year old Genesis 3.8, and my 2017 G80. I yust had to reposition a few loose parts around it (tire jack, etc.)

I simply wrapped the Jack, tools, rain poncho tow rope and other loose parts in a thick towel and taped the towel to keep it tight. This kept them from making noise and stopped them from rattling around.

And yes, those temporary use spare tires are dangerous if you use them in normal highway driving. They are truly labled not for going over 50 MPH, not for more than a cumulative total of 50 miles, etc.

The temp tire is under 80 pounds of pressure, has literally half the surface area of a full size tire, it's use disables you rautomatic tire pressure gagues on all 4 wheels and does some other nasty stuff that come from riding on a rock hard tire.

But it's your choice. At least now you have been informed.

Drive safely, my friend. The

Dave




So... If are on a 500 mile trip, with a lightly loaded car, you can safely limp into a gas station (within 50 ,miles), and they have a replacement tire that actually is the sames size, brand and tread style... And you don't mind paying thru the nose...and you don't mind several hours lost in the process of getting it all done...yes, I guess you don't need a full size spare.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

stay under 50mph, don't use it for more than 50 miles and it is fine..

not going to hurt anything if you follow the suggestions on the tire. it is not meant for long term use or high speed use, it is meant to get you to a tire repair shop.

no need for a full size spare for normal daily commuting in the city. If I was on a trip, yeah I would get a full size spare, but not for daily around town use.

This is actually the first car I have had with a spare at all since 2005.. all my other cars came with a pump and tire goo..

 

[Starflyer]

Last week I had a flat that could not be repaired on my 2017 G80.

I had to drive around for 3 days on that emergency mini spare that came with my car. DANGEROUS AS ALL GET OUT.

My '18 G80 Sport has staggered wheels and tires. Other sources say it's unsafe to mix these tires up. Front wheels/tires are only for the front, Rear wheels/tires are only for the back. Something to do with the offset (don't know exactly what that is). I was thinking of doing the same thing you have done, but decided against it because of the warning re staggered wheels. And yes, you're right. A regular tire fits nicely in the spare wheel hole.

As a further note, I believe the main reason for donut tires is due to "bean counters". Reduce weight yields a tiny bit better gas mileage and they're cheaper than the cost of a new wheel and tire.

Yes, the donuts are restricted to 50 MPH. Personally I wouldn't drive over 40 with one on. Best advice to not have a flat tire is to keep them up to recommend PSI. That includes the donut, but that's a PITA lifting the carpet to check the pressure of the donut.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

My '18 G80 Sport has staggered wheels and tires. Other sources say it's unsafe to mix these tires up. Front wheels/tires are only for the front, Rear wheels/tires are only for the back. Something to do with the offset (don't know exactly what that is). I was thinking of doing the same thing you have done, but decided against it because of the warning re staggered wheels. And yes, you're right. A regular tire fits nicely in the spare wheel hole.

As a further note, I believe the main reason for donut tires is due to "bean counters". Reduce weight yields a tiny bit better gas mileage and they're cheaper than the cost of a new wheel and tire.

Yes, the donuts are restricted to 50 MPH. Personally I wouldn't drive over 40 with one on. Best advice to not have a flat tire is to keep them up to recommend PSI. That includes the donut, but that's a PITA lifting the carpet to check the pressure of the donut.

maybe a slight misunderstanding about the Sport staggered setup.

you cannot use the OEM sport wheels front to back, the fronts don't fit the rear and the rears don't fit the front. the rears are too wide for the front and will hit the suspension and stick outside the fender wall, the fronts have the wrong back spacing and would be tucked in too far and hit the rear shock bracing. FWIW I have already tried it to verify..

you can however go to a wheel store and find a generic steel wheel that will work for both, the full sized spare would have to be a compromise between the front and rear sizing to match the overall diameter. I believe an 18" wheel will work. matter of fact I suspect a 3.8 standard 18" wheel is fine as it's offsets are in between the Sport wheels, and they are the same car, the difference is not the vehicle but rather the Sport (and 5.0 Staggered) wheels.

the Sport front wheels are 19"x8.5" with an offset of +40 with a 245/40R19 tire,
the Sport rear wheels are 19"x9" with an offset of +49 and a 275/35R19 tire,

the 3.8 wheels are 18"x8" with an offset of +40 with a 225/25R18 tire

the 1/2" to 1" smaller wheel width coupled with the smaller tire width and larger aspect ratio makes that wheel a perfect fit for the front and the rear according to the Tire Rack wheel and tire calculator. Meaning it won't rub the suspension or stick outside the fender. However your speedometer would be offset by .5 to 2.5 Mph between 20-80mph.

so if you where to get a full size spare for the Sport, it would be a generic wheel that has a compromised offset to accommodate all 4 corners and not something that would be used long term, but could be used far longer and safer than the donut.


doing a little googling it appears the 5.0 model can use either the 18" wheel at all four corners, or the staggered setup, as the 5.0 staggered setup is exactly the same as the Sport (same offsets and tire sizes) it stands to reason the base 18" wheels can be used on a Sport at all 4 corners for a "full size spare".

 

[Chad86tsi]

A lot of cars these days don't have any spare at all, so that's something to ponder...

 

[EdP]

So... If are on a 500 mile trip, with a lightly loaded car, you can safely limp into a gas station (within 50 ,miles), and they have a replacement tire that actually is the sames size, brand and tread style... And you don't mind paying thru the nose...and you don't mind several hours lost in the process of getting it all done...yes, I guess you don't need a full size spare.

I had a flat on a 1400 mile trip. Trunk was loaded. I called Roadside Assistance. The guy came out, pumped me to 50 psi and I drove to a repair shop and had the tire plugged. I did lose about an hour though.

I did use the spare twice that I recall, once about 25 years ago, another about 5 years ago. Got the job done. Thanks for your opinion, but not enough incentive from my experience to make a change.

 

[EdP]

A lot of cars these days don't have any spare at all, so that's something to ponder...

THAT, I would correct! I do want a spare of some sort.

 

[pa-g80-ownr]

the 3.8 wheels are 18"x8" with an offset of +40 with a 225/25R18 tire

Should that be 225/45R18 or maybe 245/45R18 instead of a 25 aspect ratio?

 

[Mr. Incredible]

Should that be 225/45R18 or maybe 245/45R18 instead of a 25 aspect ratio?

Yeah typo. Sorry. 225/45R18

 

[ldavidal]

I just posted this on another thread. “10/5/2021 - I have confirmed that the front tire/wheel combination will fit on the rear of a G80 3.3t sport without modification. Does not require a spacer to clear the brakes and fits in the wheel well. America’s Tire told me they cannot “officially” recommend this arrangement, though one of the representatives said they agreed with the solution. The spare fits in the trunk, but the carpet cover does not yet close. I am going to remove the rubber spacers under the wheel that will lower the tire and will be using a multi tool to shape the styrofoam tool holder to fit into the stock rim.”
After waiting for nearly a week for two tires after a puncture, I would not drive any distance with a donut in the trunk. I have had to avoid driving on the freeway for 5 days, and I have not been on a trip. If I had been on a trip I would need to make housing arrangements in addition to finding tires. BTW. These are the tires I have chosen to replace the stock tires: Continental EXTREME-CONTACT DWS 06 PLUS

 

[Starflyer]

- I have confirmed that the front tire/wheel combination will fit on the rear of a G80 3.3t sport without modification. Does not require a spacer to clear the brakes and fits in the wheel well. Was that from "America’s Tire"?

I briefly had a 245/45R1/19 in the trunk space normally occupied by my donut tire. I thought it fit flush in the hole, but if it didn't, it was real close.

I don't know nothing about spacers or I would have a 245/45 in the trunk full time. I would be careful about messing around with AWD by have a tire that is slightly bigger or small on either both the front and rear.

A can of Slime might be good to have IF you have a way to inflate a tire on the road. No good for side blowout, but it supposed to be good for 2 years for regular leaks.

 

[ldavidal]

I briefly had a 245/45R1/19 in the trunk space normally occupied by my donut tire. I thought it fit flush in the hole, but if it didn't, it was real close.

I don't know nothing about spacers or I would have a 245/45 in the trunk full time. I would be careful about messing around with AWD by have a tire that is slightly bigger or small on either both the front and rear.

A can of Slime might be good to have IF you have a way to inflate a tire on the road. No good for side blowout, but it supposed to be good for 2 years for regular leaks.

Since I was replacing two rears at America’s Tire due to an irreparable puncture. I had them remove a front tire since my wheels are staggered and I wasn’t sure the front tire/wheel would clear the rear disc brakes. They assured me the would, but I insisted on confirmation before buying the tire. I already had a stock front wheel with curb rash that I used for the spare. I don’t have AWD but based on my research it is important to have the same tires on all 4 corners. There are numerous YouTube videos on modifying the wheel space for the spare - take a look. Likewise videos on the use of spacers. I am reasonably sure that spacers on an AWD Genesis would be unnecessary. I would not use Slime if I had another alternative. For my money, a full size spare is the only reasonable alternative for the donut. I have not yet modified the styrofoam tool pack. Tomorrow I am going to go back to America’s Tire to have them turn the spare with the front side up. (At 77 I strained by back checking to see if the tire would even fit,) I am going to use a 4” grinder to modify the tool pack.

 

[StarPower]

I like this idea! It usually takes several days to order tires, and probably longer now with the supply chain issues we're having in most industries. Where I live, I can't get anywhere without using the interstate due to the bridges/tunnels, and I'd rather not restrict myself to 50 MPH when the speed of traffic is at least 60.

 

[Starflyer]

Maybe time to( "Get rid of that useless, dangerous standard emergency mini spare tire. Now!") of this title.​

First of all, it's NOT useless. I used mine a couple of times for short drives to a wheel repair shop. I wouldn't want to change a time on an Interstate or any other highway with cars zipping by at 50-65+. Yeah, if I was out in the sticks with the nearest tire store one 100 miles, I would be concerned.

IF "spacers" weren't a problem, I would have no problem with putting a spare of the smaller size in the trunk. Are you demanding that Genesis give you a spare? A better solution would to not buy a vehicle with staggered tires.

 

[surprisinguy]

They cant be all bad - saw a car one time that had 3 of them on the car

 

[Starflyer]

They cant be all bad - saw a car one time that had 3 of them on the car

Most important thing is to keep the air pressure up to the recommened PSI. Usually around 50 PSI. If lower and you hit a pot hole, the tubeless seal can break and you suddenly have ANOTHER flat tire. Happened to me once and I had to drive on the rim. Rim wasn't pretty when I got to where I had to go.

 

[ldavidal]

Since I was replacing two rears at America’s Tire due to an irreparable puncture. I had them remove a front tire since my wheels are staggered and I wasn’t sure the front tire/wheel would clear the rear disc brakes. They assured me the would, but I insisted on confirmation before buying the tire. I already had a stock front wheel with curb rash that I used for the spare. I don’t have AWD but based on my research it is important to have the same tires on all 4 corners. There are numerous YouTube videos on modifying the wheel space for the spare - take a look. Likewise videos on the use of spacers. I am reasonably sure that spacers on an AWD Genesis would be unnecessary. I would not use Slime if I had another alternative. For my money, a full size spare is the only reasonable alternative for the donut. I have not yet modified the styrofoam tool pack. Tomorrow I am going to go back to America’s Tire to have them turn the spare with the front side up. (At 77 I strained by back checking to see if the tire would even fit,) I am going to use a 4” grinder to modify the tool pack.

 

[ldavidal]

Final report. Front tire mounted on a stock “curb rashed” front rim. After removing the rubber spacers in the bottom of the wheel well, the full-size wheel and tire fit perfectly. After installing with the “good” side down, the hold down screw fit perfectly and the carpeted flap closed. Last step. I used a reciprocating saw to trim the foam tool holder. I carefully cut at about a 10 degree angle, using the top radius as a guide. I then used a 4” grinder to smooth the cut to fit. Be slow and be careful to hold the foam securely. Unless you are comfortable with power tools, I would put the tools in the back of the wheel. While I am 77 years old, I have a fully equipped shop and have used tools for more than 60 years. Follow my lead at your own risk.