[Dilbert]

I'm looking to participate in a long(er) distance cruise with my Chevelle and need to think about spare tires and such. My current setup has 275/60/R15's (28.10" diameter) in the back and 215/70/R15s (26.7" diameter) in the front. I could get both spare tires but that would take up a lot of trunk area and weigh a bit.. I was planning on only using one wheel and tire as a spare like it did from the factory.

I do have the set of 215/70/R14 (25.9" diameter) tires and 14" wheels that originally came with the car.. could I use one of those as the spare on any of the corners just to get it to a Tire Center for repair???

Also, does anyone use that "Slime" stuff in their tires with any success??

I do have AAA coverage so I can tow it 150 miles and they also help out with small repairs.. So maybe I'm just good as is without anything for the time being...??

Just trying to weigh my options.....

[Blazin72]

Ford sends certain Mustang models out from the factory with that "slime" stuff and 12v air compressor in lieu of a spare tire. I'm not a fan of that idea but that's the way they did it. Something about weight savings....

Anyway, if this were my car I would size the spare tire to match the rear tires because of the axle. I don't know how much an offset tire size would really affect an open differential but if you have a limited slip, locker or a spool then the spare absolutely should be the same size. The fronts are totally independent from each other so an offset tire size won't hurt anything as a spare, other than maybe an off center steering wheel.

[Irelands child]

For mine, I just carry a $7 parts store tire patch kit and a big can of flat fix as I don't have room to carry either size spare in my 'A'. And yes, a tire shop will probably NOT be your friend if you then drop the tire off for a full repair and may not do a repair with the flat fix goo in that tire

[boatbob2]

Hi,i would use the 25.9 inch tire as a spare,keeping in mind,that it is STRICTLY,a SLOW speed,and limited range use.in other words,drive slow,to the NEAREST repair shop.

[against all odds]

Is the differential open?

i think the slime stuff is just temporary.

[joe_padavano]

Depends on whether or not a 28" tall tire will clear in the front. Personally, I'd go with a donut spare. The 1977-1990 GM B-body cars came with donut spares mounted on wheels with both 5 x 4.75" and 5 x 5" bolt circles, since these cars could have come with either bolt circle. Even a posi diff has to go around curves, so the diameter mismatch won't kill it while you drive slowly to the nearest repair place.

Also consider a tire plug kit and 12V compressor.

[cucumber1949]

All the later model Corvette folks ('97 and later I believe) all have this problem. GM equipped the car with run-flat tires and deleted the spare tire altogether. Some carry a portable compressor and slime (may damage the TPMS senders), and others carry only the number for their insurer's towing service or AAA. I can't even remember the last time I had a flat tire on a trip.