wisky

I noticed on eBay, when searching for space saver spares that the early 996 used a pre-inflated design, which are cheaper than inflatable space savers that seem to be used on the 2002 and newer 996's. Does anyone know if the older design fits the newer 996's, and if so, why did they switch over to the inflatable unit?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

tnj100

I have an 04 cab with an inflated spare.

Are the inflatables only on C4s maybe?

wisky

Interesting.... I have both a 2001 996 Turbo and a 2003 996 C4S in front of me to reference, and they both have the inflatable spare with air pump. It is possible that the narrowbody models use the preinflated ones. Now I dont know what to think .

Litesonic

mine is inflated.
2004 4oth AE

dotframe

I thought all AWD 996 had the build-a-spare for space reasons?

wisky

dotframe, that makes sense - the AWD might need the smaller spare due to the AWD axles and mechanism in the front of the car.

perryinva

Yes, it was strictly a room in the frunk thing, not year.

MiamiC70

my 2004 Anniversary Edition has an inflated dougnut style

carcster88

Mine is sitting inflated in the garage. Was added weight I did not need.

MJP911

AWD versions had the compact spare. There are different versions though - the big brake cars (6 pot calipers) have a larger compact spare than other cars.

jackarelli

Yep mine too, along with the rear seats!

TomF

While we are on the subject, those of you with an inflatable spare should take it out and ensure that it will properly inflate. I hit a piece of angle iron on the Hood Canal Floating Bridge on the Olympic Penisula last summer and lost a rear tire. No problem, I thought I would just put the spare on and limp home. No luck- the spare, which had never been used or out of the car, was stuck in the collapsed position and the compressor would blow a fuse every time I attempted to inflate it. We tried pounding on the tire as it inflated, and prying it outwards as it struggled to inflate, but nothing worked.

Ultimately, we had to get a high pressure commercial compressor to "unstick" it. My little tire change in the middle of nowhere took me hours to get sorted out.

I would suggest that your take the spare out and inflate it just to keep it limber. After 10 or more years, they clearly can stick and cause major issues. Five minutes spent to make sure you have a spare that inflates is totally worth it!

perryinva

May as well add the usual "when was the las ttime you checked the air pressure in your spares?" While working on my '02 a few weeks back, I pulled the spare and it's pressure was 16psi. I know the last time I filled it to 60psi was...ummm....2, maybeeee 3 years ago...yeah, that would be a great way to **** off the missus.

carcster88

LOL, same with my rear seats and the exhaust

Hurdigurdiman

I think next time I have a wheel off, I will try my spare to see if it fits. It's an inflatable spare with recommended 60ppi. If I have a flat on the roads I will call AAA anyway. Let them sort it out. Thats what we pay for. I don't fancy jacking up the side of my car on that weeny looking jack in the kit. I use a racing hydraulic jack in the garage.