Are Fiero Spare Tires Usable? (Page 3/4)
fierosound DEC 13, 11:20 AM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

If I had no other choice I would also use the old spare, but where does the flat tire go when you are on a trip and the trunk is full.?
From what I can see a full size tire won't fit in the place of the spare.



I had a flat on a trip with a full trunk...

You move all the stuff you can from the trunk to the front (which is empty now).
Then the flat tire has no problem fitting in the trunk along with a few other items.

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 12-13-2018).]

theogre DEC 13, 12:13 PM

quote
Originally posted by fierosound:
You move all the stuff you can from the trunk to the front (which is empty now).
Then the flat tire has no problem fitting in the trunk along with a few other items.

That depend on size/shape you packed. Many things can be same or bit bigger then a full size tire and won't fit in front. Can weight more then a tire too so may not use a rack or otherwise on the deck lid either w/o a lot of tie down issues.
fierosound DEC 13, 11:31 PM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

That depend on size/shape you packed. Many things can be same or bit bigger then a full size tire and won't fit in front. Can weight more then a tire too so may not use a rack or otherwise on the deck lid either w/o a lot of tie down issues.



I was just passing on what worked for me...
Iain DEC 14, 04:58 AM
I just sent four that I used to store my car on to recycling.
Two were as new, no cracks, never been used. The other two were quite visibly cracked and deteriorated.
As I removed the 'decent' ones they developed quite a lot of cracks.

It has made me buy a new tyre for the unused spacesaver in one of my cars. Never been used but ten years old.
olejoedad DEC 14, 11:24 AM
Are they usable?
Within certain parameters, yes!
If it holds air, and the other one doesn't, it's a no-brainer.
Just don't drive it like a new, good quality tire.
Put it on, drive carefully at reduced speed and get the bad tire repaired or replaced ASAP!
Spadesluck DEC 14, 11:50 AM

quote
Originally posted by fierosound:


Do you need a 16" or 17" spare?

I have the LeBaron 11.25" brake rotor upgrade on my 87 GT.
A Subaru 16" wheel with Firestone T115/70/16 clears the brakes and fits the Fiero wheel tub perfectly.
We found a BRAND NEW T115/70R16 tire in a Chevy Sonic (but the wheel is 5x105)



I need to go this route at some point as well. I have Archies brakes on my 87 and the regular spare will not work on it for sure.
Joseph Upson DEC 14, 01:36 PM
The last time I saw my original equipment spare, I noticed steel belts starting to show through the tread and I recall having used it once in the 15 yrs I owned the car. Keep in mind the proper pressure for it is 60 psi if I recall correctly, there's no way I'd put that kind of pressure in any tire that old. The tire may look okay on the outside, but it's what you can't see that keeps it together. Just get a AAA membership as a backup plan. I recall the PT Cruiser having a suitable spare as an option.

For those with brake upgrades that interfere with the stock spare, I did see a person drive into a repair shop with their spare tire installed backwards leaving plenty of caliper clearance. Not sure if they knew that or not.
Dennis LaGrua DEC 14, 05:45 PM
Does anyone know if that Fiero space saver tire is still being produced? Might pay to just buy a new one and remove the issue of its usefulness. I don't get stuck often but when I do its either in snow, hale, freezing cold, heavy rain, high winds, and or in a remote rural location where there is no cell service. Good thing that my Fiero doesn't get driven in winter.

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theogre DEC 14, 07:39 PM

quote
Originally posted by Joseph Upson:
The last time I saw my original equipment spare, I noticed steel belts starting to show through the tread and I recall having used it once in the 15 yrs I owned the car. Keep in mind the proper pressure for it is 60 psi if I recall correctly, there's no way I'd put that kind of pressure in any tire that old. The tire may look okay on the outside, but it's what you can't see that keeps it together. Just get a AAA membership as a backup plan. I recall the PT Cruiser having a suitable spare as an option.

Most "compact" spares like T125/70D15 and related Do Not have Steel belts. They are "4 ply" Nylon sidewall and thread. They say such on side of tire.

Yes if you see any belts on any tire, Do Not used them! Water of any kind, road salt, and more will not only attack the stuff you see but often can wick to everywhere and eat the cord, force to blow off the rubber etc where you can't see. Freezing or getting hot only makes problems worse.

Note that If you don't used 60 PSI then tire is under inflated and can fail very fast and/or perform even worse then normal when on the car doing the job is design for.
Normal tires hate low pressure but the "Donuts" even more. Is a lot of why tires blow the sidewalls or looses steel belt and tread.
Spoon DEC 15, 09:58 AM

quote
Originally posted by Red98422:


That being said there are a couple of things if you find yourself with no other option at least don’t mount it to the front if it was a front that popped switch it with a good rear and put the spare back there.




A non Fiero friend of mine had a flat on rear and put on his donut spare. Not sure if that was factory issue or not. After a while of steady driving he noticed smoke coming from rear of vehicle. His differential overheated because of unmatched tire size and the distance he had to travel. He said it was too hot to touch. I guess continuous differentiating was not part of the design. It was an older Jeep late 80's. It was a 4x4 so even if he had it up front he may of had the same issues plus the steering to deal with. My last 2 Jeeps had full size spares from the factory. Just thought I'd mention this for you guys with oversize tires and a donut spare.

Spoon

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