Spare tire recs?

[David Layton]

My car is shod with 185 x 13 Pirelli CN36's.  I want to add a spare before Mid-America Fest.  From earlier posts, my best bet is to get a steelie wheel and put a 175 x 13 tire on it.

 

Any recommendations.  Given that I have an exotic tire, I could be forced to use the spare for a distance if I got a flat on the way down to Arkansas.

 

While it is too late for me, I suggested to MVP that they consider a deep-dish tire well for 185 and 195 tires.

[1936spyder]

I’ve heard mixed things in regards to the CN36 tire size that you’re running when used as a spare. Some have said it won’t fit in the well while others have said they haven’t had an issue so I’d just go with that personally. I went with a slightly smaller CN36 tire size though simply because I’m running aftermarket wheels on my car with low profile tires and I wanted an outside diameter that was virtually identical, so I could use the spare if necessary. 

[Mike Self]

Truth be told, a 165/80 x 13 tire is much closer to the same rolling diameter to a 185/70 than is a 175/70 tire--and we all know the 165/80 tire will fit in the spare tire well since that's the OEM size. 

 

If you're gonna have to mismatch tires on the same axle, you really want them to be turning the same number of revs per mile--and the difference between the 185/70 and the 165/80 is only a couple of revs per mile.  

 

IMHO

mike

[tech71]

Basically, as Mike says, a 185 70 13 is a close match diameter wise to your Pirellis but your trunk board will stick up.

If thats an issue for you, you can use a 175 70 13 as a spare or... Just buy another Pirelli and rotate it from spare into the line up regularly😉

I dont like my trunk board sticking up so my spare is a 175 70 13, Running 185 70 13 cheapo's on the car.

What can I say? They came with the car brand spanking new, have to use them, not bad tires actually.

Funny , the car was a rolling nightmare when I got it, blown clutch master, collasped front strut , rotten radiator, heater core and a big ass oil leak but hey! Its got new tires! 

 

Edited February 9, 2023 by tech71

[JohnS]

Luckily Longstone Tyres offers the CN36 in 165/80 13 for the spare or for all 4 now.

 

165R13 Tyres - Classic 165R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36

WWW.LONGSTONETYRES.CO.UK

---

The PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 165R13 is a great value tyre considering its quality. These tyres are even better value when purchased as sets: Set of 4 165VR13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36, Set of 5 165 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36. 165R13 The tyre size 165R13 is synonymous with the smaller...

 

Edited February 10, 2023 by JohnS

[SydneyTii]

Or just raise your trunk floor like a turbo floor.😉

[Conserv]

1 hour ago, JohnS said:

Luckily Longstone Tyres offers the CN36 in 165/80 13 for the spare or for all 4 now.

 

165R13 Tyres - Classic 165R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36

WWW.LONGSTONETYRES.CO.UK

---

The PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 165R13 is a great value tyre considering its quality. These tyres are even better value when purchased as sets: Set of 4 165VR13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36, Set of 5 165 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36. 165R13 The tyre size 165R13 is synonymous with the smaller...

 

+1

 

This seems like an obvious choice… 

 

I’ll bet you could do a lot of driving with three 185/70 CN36’s and one 165/80 CN36 and not even notice you were missing a 185/70…

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[jimk]

If the spare is slightly smaller in diameter than the other 4 and if the flat tire is a the rear, first install the spare on the front and move the front wheel to rear in place of the flat.  Then you won't need to worry all the way home.

[2002#3]

"...and the difference between the 185/70 and the 165/80 is only a couple of revs per mile."

 

Good point, Mike.  I came up with a difference of only four revs per mile.  So, a 165/80 x 13 is close, fits, and serves the purpose.

[HBChris]

Back in the 70s when the Michelin XVS came out in the 185/70-13 size I switched from the stock 165/80-13 XAS when I needed to replace my tires along with many others.  I thought I had a 185/70 as my spare (my trunk board sat flat) as it was more common to rotate among five tires vs. today’s unidirectional tires.

[Conserv]

8 hours ago, HBChris said:

Back in the 70s when the Michelin XVS came out in the 185/70-13 size I switched from the stock 165/80-13 XAS when I needed to replace my tires along with many others.  I thought I had a 185/70 as my spare (my trunk board sat flat) as it was more common to rotate among five tires vs. today’s unidirectional tires.

Based, Chris, only on what I’ve read on the forum, round taillight owners are a bit more likely than square taillight owners to report a 185/70 fitting under the trunk board, and generally with a 4 1/2” or 5” rim. Results may have also varied depending on the make and model of tire.

 

My impression is that a relatively small minority of owners was able to fit a 185/70 under a properly-fitted trunk board.

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

[M3M3]

spare tire considerations..

 

open diff or LSD.  if open, tire diameters can be mismatched.  if LSD, must have same size on both rear wheels or diff clutches will see extra wear.

 

what brakes?  I have seen many cars with larger brakes fitted and bigger wheels, but owner still carried a 13in spare....which will not fit over the brakes so it is just extra weight.   heck even an offset difference could prevent use of the spare.

 

make sure the spare is the right diameter, than that it will actually fit on the car.......

[HBChris]

12 hours ago, Conserv said:

Based, Chris, only on what I’ve read on the forum, round taillight owners are a bit more likely than square taillight owners to report a 185/70 fitting under the trunk board, and generally with a 4 1/2” or 5” rim. Results may have also varied depending on the make and model of tire.

 

My impression is that a relatively small minority of owners was able to fit a 185/70 under a properly-fitted trunk board.

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

My car was a 74 bought in December of 74 and I agree the brand of the tire makes a difference.