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What type of spare tire/wheel is everyone using? I am considering a donut (T115/50-15) on a 4.5 inch VW rim. This should provide a height of 4.5"W x 19.5"Dia I believe. I know this is much shorter than the stock size, but hopefully it will never have to be used, and then only spareingly (pardon the pun). Will the temporary donut install correctly on a VW rim?
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What type of spare tire/wheel is everyone using? I am considering a donut (T115/50-15) on a 4.5 inch VW rim. This should provide a height of 4.5"W x 19.5"Dia I believe. I know this is much shorter than the stock size, but hopefully it will never have to be used, and then only spareingly (pardon the pun). Will the temporary donut install correctly on a VW rim?
Ron,
I posted a brief article in the knowledge base section which chronicles my experience installing a spare. Personally, I would avoid a temporary spare, if you are referring to the compact spares offered by some auto manufacturers as OEM. My system worked out fine, but, as you said, I will hopefully never have an occasion to try it out.
John H.
If a donut or thinner spare is used, what happens if you have a flat and are left with a regular sized flat tire? Where do you put it to get it for repair/replacement? Seems to me that if you're going to carry a spare, it has to be the same size as the four on the ground or you're left driving your car with the hood up (at least partially). Maybe everyone's right when they say spare is spelled: Fix-A-Flat + AAA + Cellphone.
I have a spare under the hood of my VS. See "Dub-U-Tub" for a picture. I run 5.5" 185/65s on the car, but the spare is a 4.5" 135 and fits nicely in the car. I have a neat securing system that Kirk created for it, and I keep a scissors jack, small hydraulic jack, and a fold up lug wrench all secured under it with canvas wrapping to eliminate noise. As for where to put the flat? Wellllll... I would suppose I would throw it in the back seat for the minimal trip to a station, orrrr, see if in a deflated state if it would fit in the spare slot.

I also carry a can of fix-a-flat, cell phone, AAA card, a paperback, and some bottled water.

Jim
OKC
Jim,
I would add a couple of vallium tablets to control my heightened rage for having a flat in the first place; It seemed that you thought of everything else. If my tire wasn't too grungy, I would put it behind the seats. Another approach would be to bungie it to the luggage rack. That reminds me, I should add some spare bungies to my emergency kit. thanks!
John H.
Just an update on my original question. My Speedster trunk is a bit different than most and due to the fuel tank positioning will not allow anything larger than a 19 inch diameter spare. I finally lathe cut out the center hub spider from a 13 inch rim temporary spare which had the correct tire diameter. I also cut out the spider from a VW hub and mig welded it in place on the temp rim. It runs nice and true although it looks rather small. I will carry a can of stop leak and only resort to the spare if I have to. Thanks to all for your response.
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