Alloy wheels and your spare?

Matt

Administrator
My VXR didn't come with a spare either, and running 19's, wasn't an option. I think they presume you are going to have break down cover, and most people would rather call out the AA / RAC then attempt a tyre change on the side of the road.
 

rushy

Senior Member
No if you put a stock 17 with correct tyre next to a stock 19 with correct tyre there the same size, so no difference in fuel or acceleration, the tyre profile is different to make up the difference, thats why 19 always give a harder ride, because the profile is smaller. however if you were to fit a 19 with the same sizes profile as a 17 then the overall size would be bigger. However, the profile is a % of the width, not an actual measurment of the depth of the profile.
 

HarleyPete

Senior Member
Almost the same size ;) but the difference is infinitesimal so in the real world it wouldn't make a difference. I just find it strange that a manufacturer would give a wheel option and not make it so that you can carry a spare. As for the specs of a tyre that was something that I was aware of anyhow. :)
 

rushy

Senior Member
I made the change to 225/45/17 years ago as tyre prices tend to be cheaper as there's more choice. The speed difference is very small, from memory its something like if the speedo says 60 i'm actually doing 58mph.
 

Matt

Administrator
I made the change to 225/45/17 years ago as tyre prices tend to be cheaper as there's more choice. The speed difference is very small, from memory its something like if the speedo says 60 i'm actually doing 58mph.
That's what I did on my Vectra as well.
 

HarleyPete

Senior Member
That's what I'm running but when I did a quick bit of research before I looked in owners manual it threw up 215/50/17 as the size which made me think. Still undecided about a spare. Never been a fan of tyre weld etc as most tyre places hate doing tyres if you've used it. With ultraseal and slime at least it stays in a liquid form and supposedly gives dynamic balancing to your wheel. I did run slime in the wheels on my harley but the type designed for tubed wheels.
 

Timbo

Member
That's what I'm running but when I did a quick bit of research before I looked in owners manual it threw up 215/50/17 as the size which made me think. Still undecided about a spare. Never been a fan of tyre weld etc as most tyre places hate doing tyres if you've used it. With ultraseal and slime at least it stays in a liquid form and supposedly gives dynamic balancing to your wheel. I did run slime in the wheels on my harley but the type designed for tubed wheels.

Only trouble with that gunk is if you've got more than a nail hole you're stuffed. Mate of mine tried it on his (company) Zaffy B on the hard shoulder of the M23 - turned out he had a split about 20mm long. :(
 

HarleyPete

Senior Member
Fair comment, never really tried Tyreweld so can't comment, but have tried Slime and found it worked very well. Only downside is that you may never know you've had an issue till you check your tyres.
 

HarleyPete

Senior Member
Fair enough, I just don't like the idea of not having a spare, but not sure about running the space saver with 17" Alloys as there is a fair difference in size between the two. Plus a full size alloy spare might not fit in the wheel well in the boot.
 

HarleyPete

Senior Member
Bit of an update on the wheel front. Whilst these might not be to everyone's taste I quite like them. I just won these on Ebay for £29.99 (okay I've got to drive to get them but hey, it's a good excuse to get the car out for a long drive. Alloys.
 
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