Steel Wheel Spare
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You won't notice it unless you mount it on a 15' pole attached to your roof.
A tire and rim weighs about 1/4 of a tank of gas. That said, I always take my spare tire out for autocross, every little bit helps.
A tire and rim weighs about 1/4 of a tank of gas. That said, I always take my spare tire out for autocross, every little bit helps.
Yeah, it shouldn't be an issue for temporary use.
In many cases, the steel wheel isn't any heavier (and sometimes is ligher) than the alloy wheel. If you want a strong and light alloy wheel, you're going to pay through the nose for it. Most OEM alloys are fairly heavy.
When it comes to alloys, you can have any 2 out of the 3 characteristics: strong, light, cheap.
In many cases, the steel wheel isn't any heavier (and sometimes is ligher) than the alloy wheel. If you want a strong and light alloy wheel, you're going to pay through the nose for it. Most OEM alloys are fairly heavy.
When it comes to alloys, you can have any 2 out of the 3 characteristics: strong, light, cheap.
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the spare is just meant to get you somewhere to get the tire changed out on your good wheel. there may be some negative NVH from riding on the spare but as long as it keeps the car rolling it's doing its job
JHZR2
Staff member
It depends. If your car has one or more of the following:
fake vent holes, turbo badges, type R badges, self-painted calipers, [censored] can muffler, no muffler, no catalytic converter, large wing, spinners, wheels >1" larger than OEM, driver's seatback les than 80 degree angle, >400W stereo, additional lighting "effects", etc.
Than yes and you can DEFINITELY feel it during driving.
If not, then it really is no big deal at all, and may even help with weight distribution.
fake vent holes, turbo badges, type R badges, self-painted calipers, [censored] can muffler, no muffler, no catalytic converter, large wing, spinners, wheels >1" larger than OEM, driver's seatback les than 80 degree angle, >400W stereo, additional lighting "effects", etc.
Than yes and you can DEFINITELY feel it during driving.
If not, then it really is no big deal at all, and may even help with weight distribution.
Just make sure your alloy lugs will work OK with it-I carry 5 in both my wife's xB & my son's 300D to use with the steelie just IN CASE!
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Just make sure your alloy lugs will work OK with it-
That's a good observation. Sometimes there's a difference in seating surface (ball vs. conical) and/or lugbolt length.
Just make sure your alloy lugs will work OK with it-
That's a good observation. Sometimes there's a difference in seating surface (ball vs. conical) and/or lugbolt length.
A really good car (Like our last Mercedes) will come with a matching alloy carrying the spare.
A less good car, like my current old BMW, will have the full size spare mounted on a steely.
A mainstream car, like our Forester will have a dedicated spare, which is really not suitable to the car's AWD.
A less good car, like my current old BMW, will have the full size spare mounted on a steely.
A mainstream car, like our Forester will have a dedicated spare, which is really not suitable to the car's AWD.
And then there are cars that come with no spares at all. All you get is a tire repair kit in a spray can.
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