Ethan
November 9th 05, 08:27 PM
Several months ago I removed the floor panel in the cargo area of my 1996
SW1 in order to check my spare tire pressure. To my shock, I discovered the
treads and sidewalls to be shreaded. Apparently the tire had exploded at
some point in the compartment.
I went to Jack Furrier Western Tire Center for a replacement. They mounted
a used T135/80R14 97M tire on the wheel, because they had no T115/70R14 88M
(specs of the original donut spare). The 18-yr old clerk told me this was
an acceptable substitute.
Long story short, I didn't have time to shop around, since that same day I
had to make a 500mile trip to a different state where I was to work for the
summer. I figured a tire of any kind was better than nothing.
Is this tire an acceptable substitute? I'm not an expert on tires, but I do
know that there are limits to tire and wheel interchangeability. By the
way, my regular tires are P185/65R-14 85S, and not the original P175/70R14
84T, if that affects the equation at all.
I also discovered that the replacement tire is a tight fit in the spare tire
compartment; in fact, it leaves no room for the jack, which I'm now storing
behind the front seat. But this is more of an annoyance than a real
problem. My main concern is that when I inevitably get a flat and have to
use my donut spare, no damage to the car or serious handling problems
results.
Comments appreciated.
Ethan
SW1 in order to check my spare tire pressure. To my shock, I discovered the
treads and sidewalls to be shreaded. Apparently the tire had exploded at
some point in the compartment.
I went to Jack Furrier Western Tire Center for a replacement. They mounted
a used T135/80R14 97M tire on the wheel, because they had no T115/70R14 88M
(specs of the original donut spare). The 18-yr old clerk told me this was
an acceptable substitute.
Long story short, I didn't have time to shop around, since that same day I
had to make a 500mile trip to a different state where I was to work for the
summer. I figured a tire of any kind was better than nothing.
Is this tire an acceptable substitute? I'm not an expert on tires, but I do
know that there are limits to tire and wheel interchangeability. By the
way, my regular tires are P185/65R-14 85S, and not the original P175/70R14
84T, if that affects the equation at all.
I also discovered that the replacement tire is a tight fit in the spare tire
compartment; in fact, it leaves no room for the jack, which I'm now storing
behind the front seat. But this is more of an annoyance than a real
problem. My main concern is that when I inevitably get a flat and have to
use my donut spare, no damage to the car or serious handling problems
results.
Comments appreciated.
Ethan