Full Size Spare/Aftermarket Wheels

[2011accent]

While hypermiling would want a driver to remove as much excess weight as possible to, it's not always the wisest thing to do. The new Hyundai Accent doesn't come with a spare, only a pump and tire sealant. My 2011 Hyundai Accent came with a donut spare. This spare has a smaller circumference than that of the regular oem tire size. My wife and I live in central Maine. I really don't want her to have to drive on a skimpy tire on roads that are in poor condition. A donut spare which is smaller in circumference than the other tires can damage the differential if mounted on the drive axel. A donut spare also has lessens the car's ability to handle as well as it is supposed to. For these reasons I ordered an aftermarket steel rim from the local tire shop that is of the same 14x5.5 dimensions as the oem steel wheels on it. The only problem is that the center bore is a greater size that the oem wheels. This changes the wheels dynamics from hub centric to lug centric. I will have to order a hub centric ring so that if we have to use this aftermarket wheel as a spare there won't be any vibration caused by the wheel being solely supported by the wheel studs. There isn't too much difference in weight between a donut spare and full size spare and to me the weight penalty seems worth it. The weight penalty will just make me more resolved to improve my driving technique.

[shadescape]

Originally Posted by 2011accent

While hypermiling would want a driver to remove as much excess weight as possible to, it's not always the wisest thing to do. The new Hyundai Accent doesn't come with a spare, only a pump and tire sealant. My 2011 Hyundai Accent came with a donut spare. This spare has a smaller circumference than that of the regular oem tire size. My wife and I live in central Maine. I really don't want her to have to drive on a skimpy tire on roads that are in poor condition. A donut spare which is smaller in circumference than the other tires can damage the differential if mounted on the drive axel. A donut spare also has lessens the car's ability to handle as well as it is supposed to. For these reasons I ordered an aftermarket steel rim from the local tire shop that is of the same 14x5.5 dimensions as the oem steel wheels on it. The only problem is that the center bore is a greater size that the oem wheels. This changes the wheels dynamics from hub centric to lug centric. I will have to order a hub centric ring so that if we have to use this aftermarket wheel as a spare there won't be any vibration caused by the wheel being solely supported by the wheel studs. There isn't too much difference in weight between a donut spare and full size spare and to me the weight penalty seems worth it. The weight penalty will just make me more resolved to improve my driving technique.

seems really confusing- are you reading more into it than necessary
those spares are supposed to be used strictly in an emergency- and to get you safely off the road and to a place where you can have your tire fixed

let me see if I have this correct-
you ordered and bought and now have a wheel that bolts up and is snug
but because the center isn't the same
you fear the vehicle is unsafe

if your issue is it must be exactly the same- then you need the exact same tire you have on your vehicle- same exact tread wear 32's

[basjoos]

Originally Posted by 2011accent

For these reasons I ordered an aftermarket steel rim from the local tire shop that is of the same 14x5.5 dimensions as the oem steel wheels on it. The only problem is that the center bore is a greater size that the oem wheels. This changes the wheels dynamics from hub centric to lug centric. I will have to order a hub centric ring so that if we have to use this aftermarket wheel as a spare there won't be any vibration caused by the wheel being solely supported by the wheel studs. There isn't too much difference in weight between a donut spare and full size spare and to me the weight penalty seems worth it. The weight penalty will just make me more resolved to improve my driving technique.

For most automobile wheels, the wheel's load is supported totally by the lugs, not via the center bore opening as is the case with a wagon wheel. All of my Honda OEM wheels have a center hole that is larger than the hub projecting from the car's wheel mount. As long as the lug pattern matches, it should be fine.

I can see why you want to carry a full size spare with you. When you live in a remote area where you may have to travel a long distance on possibly poor roads to get to the nearest tire repair shop, you don't want to have to depend on a limited service spare with its marginal handling and traction to get there. Likewise if you do a lot of driving late at night and in the wee hours of the morning when no tire shops are open. I carry a full sized spare for the same reason.

[shadescape]

Originally Posted by basjoos

For most automobile wheels, the wheel's load is supported totally by the lugs, not via the center bore opening as is the case with a wagon wheel. All of my Honda OEM wheels have a center hole that is larger than the hub projecting from the car's wheel mount. As long as the lug pattern matches, it should be fine.

I can see why you want to carry a full size spare with you. When you live in a remote area where you may have to travel a long distance on possibly poor roads to get to the nearest tire repair shop, you don't want to have to depend on a limited service spare with its marginal handling and traction to get there. Likewise if you do a lot of driving late at night and in the wee hours of the morning when no tire shops are open. I carry a full sized spare for the same reason.

good post

I carry what's necessary to fix a tire-
not a big fan of Fix A Flat spray cans
but I do have to say- a 12 volt compressor and can of Fix A Flat is not a bad thing to have in a vehicle- can't say having that and no spare is necessarily bad
have, like you state, carried a full mounted same tire like when out some places
but then- a small floor jack and 4 way is the way to go- seen some who can't get the vehicle jack/lug wrench to work-

basically- you do the best you can to avoid breakdowns- sometimes no matter what- you need your cell phone and patience

[2011accent]

Originally Posted by shadescape

seems really confusing- are you reading more into it than necessary
those spares are supposed to be used strictly in an emergency- and to get you safely off the road and to a place where you can have your tire fixed

let me see if I have this correct-
you ordered and bought and now have a wheel that bolts up and is snug
but because the center isn't the same
you fear the vehicle is unsafe

if your issue is it must be exactly the same- then you need the exact same tire you have on your vehicle- same exact tread wear 32's

A lug centric wheel isn't necessarily unsafe but impacts, bumps and pot holes can cause problems in a lug centric wheel that could lead to vibration, too much shear stress to the wheel studs, and Damage to the axel flange. A cheap hub centric ring is a logical addition to a spare that could spend extended time on the car.

Ideally it would be great to drop everything to address the problem of replacing or repairing a tire but many people would be served better by a full size spare when time isn't able to be spared so easily. In rural Maine it can be more than 50 miles to a tire dealer. Also, a person might like to have the tire fixed or repaired by a particular shop, not forced to deal with a shop who isn't reputable or known. Donut spares are only recommended for 50 miles.

The tire doesn't need to be the same tread wear, just the same size. I'm not trying to tap into the cars peak cornering. I just want no damage done to the differential if the spare is mounted on the front. Having the same size tire for a spare will help the car drive better when loaded full.

I don't want to limp on a donut, or take chances when a $5 ring would garuantee proper operation.

[2011accent]

Originally Posted by basjoos

For most automobile wheels, the wheel's load is supported totally by the lugs, not via the center bore opening as is the case with a wagon wheel. All of my Honda OEM wheels have a center hole that is larger than the hub projecting from the car's wheel mount. As long as the lug pattern matches, it should be fine.

I can see why you want to carry a full size spare with you. When you live in a remote area where you may have to travel a long distance on possibly poor roads to get to the nearest tire repair shop, you don't want to have to depend on a limited service spare with its marginal handling and traction to get there. Likewise if you do a lot of driving late at night and in the wee hours of the morning when no tire shops are open. I carry a full sized spare for the same reason.

With all true hub centric wheels, the vast majority of the vehicle weight is supported by the hub flange, not the wheel studs. In hub centric wheels the primary job of the lug nuts and wheel studs is to hold the wheel against the hub flange. The hub centric wheel is superior to a lug centric wheel for many reasons, but in regards to the wheel studs/lug nuts, hub centric wheels eliminate most of the perpendicular force that comes supporting vehicle weight, as well as shearing force acting on the wheel studs.

[shadescape]

not sure why you posted

I've probably mounted/dismounted more wheels/tires than you've seen

[herm]

cranky much?

[PaleMelanesian]

Originally Posted by 2011accent

The tire doesn't need to be the same tread wear, just the same size. I'm not trying to tap into the cars peak cornering. I just want no damage done to the differential if the spare is mounted on the front. Having the same size tire for a spare will help the car drive better when loaded full.

That's why you should borrow a good tire from the back and mount the spare in its place, in the back. (assuming front drive)

[CRT1]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

That's why you should borrow a good tire from the back and mount the spare in its place, in the back. (assuming front drive)

Is this really necessary? I mean, when you corner the wheels spin at different speeds, yes? Most of our cars do not have a Limited Slip Diff and even if yours does it allows for some slip. Am I missing something here?