Full Size Spare Options (20") Needed

[luigisho]

So why wasn't an 18" spare included with the SHO? Cost savings?

This is exactly correct and becoming more common on other vehicles. Didn't you get the memo? You're not supposed to think and do for yourself with vehicles anymore.

 

[J persons]

"Close Enough" is not good enough for me. I want a spare with a near identical circumference as the four wheels on the car.

I use a cop car 18" wheel fitted with a 245/55-18 Kumho tire. It's as close to the original circumference as I could get. It has never been on the ground, so I can't give any recommendations as to how it compares to the Michelin's that I use. The fit in the tire well is tight and it can be a bear to pull out sometimes.

 

[Peetah75]

I'm afraid to go on a long trip without a conventional spare. What are the options?

Small floor jack suggestions would also be welcome.

TIA.

I have a 2013 with pp and 20" recently paid $300 for a tow after I tore a tire on a curb. I could not find a 20 in steelie so I bought a used 20" alum rim on ebay ($165), mounted an old tire on it and it fits perfectly in the well of the trunk. Bought a scissors jack on amazon and a lug wrench at an auto parts store, so I'm all set, just like the old days. Good luck!

 

[Mr.Atomic]

I was commuting around 150 miles a day and occasionally use the car for road trips and had the same concerns about not having a spare. (2013pp with 20" wheels.) I once had a puncture in the sidewall and was just able to make it to a tire store using the factory kit with slime and compressor. I said never again. I had to replace the tire from the sidewall puncture, so I ended up buying a new set. I kept the best one and had it mounted on a factory rim I bought on ebay. I just keep it in the trunk with a cheap jack so if I ever have a flat, I can swap out the tire and keep going like nothing happened. I don't have to worry about tire diameters and widths, and I can get the flat fixed at my convenience.