prescott

In working on my car, I've had the space saver tire in and out of its cubby many times and I'm wondering if I could trust it to inflate and save me. The rubber is 25 years old! There was no jack nor stock inflator when I bought the car. Is it worth toting around a 30 lb boat anchor and buying a jack and inflator or just relying on fix a flat and AAA? Getting it out would only improve my mileage, right? What are you doing with your cars? Is it time to pitch the spare and put a subwoofer in there?

G8RB8

It can't be trusted. Either replace the rubber or lose it.

Mitch S

When I bought my car about a year ago, 87 S4, it had the same three piece BBS wheels as yours only painted to match the car, also red. There was an issue with one of the wheels and I had to run on the spare for eight mouths before getting the problem resolved. I only put about 300 miles on it but did have it up to 60 MPH. I had no problems with it and when I got my rim back I cleaned up the spare, removed the valve stern and put it back in the car. My sub woofer sits on top of the spare.
May be not carry it but I would keep it!

Rick3452

I just used mine a few weeks ago, drove 20 + miles, perfect!

jpitman2

Test inflate it, let it sit a day or two to check it holds pressure. If it doesnt, toss it. If it does, deflate, put it back in place. This is what i have done, it passed fine, its back in place.
jp 83 Euro S AT 55k

Alan

The fact that it is there also adds a lot of rigidity to the rear end...

Alan

ammonman

And the corner balance is designed with that mass in that location.

Mike

Jerry Feather

In about '08 I had a flat on my 87 S4 and had to use the spare which I am pretty sure was original. I put it on the car and drove it about 65 miles home and at steeds mostly under 60 but occasionally up to 65. It worked fine and does not show any particular wear. It is still in the car waiting for the next time I might need it.

RKD in OKC

Used my spare 2 years ago. It got me to a new tire. Tried to deflate it, and even with straps couldn't get it down enough to fit back in the well. Had to put a vacuum pump on it. This spring I had to have a vacuum sucked on it again because it was getting difficult to get in and out of well.

19psi

Mine inflates and holds air nicely plus it houses the sub woofer. Win/win!

I'd definitely use it if needed but would keep the speed under 60 mph. The original spare belts are more for looks.

dr bob

I pulled the originals and added them to the 'genuine pieces' box when I did the last TB service. I replaced all the accessory belts at that time, added the take-offs to the boot. So long as I have them available, I'll never need them. I'm not sure the toolkit has enough stuff to actually replace one, or whether I'd want to try it someplace on the road.

Jerome Craig

It's under my work bench where it's nice and safe. The few times I've had tire problems Fix-A-Flat worked good enough to get me home or to a service station. Otherwise I depend on my cell phone and AAA.

marinesniper0318

question, how much does the spare weight with jack ?

Sniper