Using full size 15" wheel/tire as a spare for 16" wheels?

[skydragoness]

I have a full size spare in the trunk currently, and I'm going to be putting 16's on my car soon (225/50/16).

I measured both wheels w/ tires mounted top to bottom and they're the same (23.5"). So am I gravy to use my 15" as a spare? Just making sure.

[Rex]

It's all about OD, if that matches, you should be fine for limited speed/use, as with all spares.

[nismofly]

what size is the tire on the 15?

if its a 205/60, its only about a tenth of an inch off, so youd probably be ok

but if its a 195/60, then its more like 3/4 of an inch smaller, id say thats iffy

[PencilShavings]

If you're worried, you could just put the spare on the front (its a little more work to switch the wheels around), but then if there was any size difference, at least it wouldnt be spinning your diff all the way down the road

you could also try measuring the circumfrence of the tires, that would show any size difference more clearly

[skydragoness]

Oh, I'm not dumb enough to put it on the rear. Nismo: The tire is 205-60-15I measured my wheel/tire against my bf's Z32 sitting in the driveway which has 225/50/16 tires all around. I haven't looked into getting a cheapo 16x7" wheel yet. Maybe I'll stop by PepBoy's today and get a Konig or something w/ spokes that can clear my z brakes.
Modified by skydragoness at 5:26 PM 4/26/2006

[nismofly]

i dont see why that wouldnt work then, heck i had a 195/60 on one side and a 205/60 on the other for a short time a couple years ago, when i needed new tires, and nothing bad ever happened, thats farther off than the 225/50/16 and 205/60/15