For some time now I've wanted to replace the giant and
heavy spare tire in my trunk with a Space Saver Spare
(henceforth called the SSS). Thanks to the guys in the
6-Pack Forum (especially Hawaii Guy), I got the exact
requirements needed and headed off to my favorite junk
yard.
Basically you want a Space
Saver or Compact tire in a 4 bolt by 114 pattern on a
15" rim. In this case the size was T125x70D15. These can be found on any 1990 - 1997 Honda
Accord Wagon which will then give you a cross reference
for other Honda & Acura cars that will work. The beauty
of these spare tires is that most of them have never
been used and look brand new............. as mine did.
The cost in expensive Connecticut was $35.
I was a little concerned
about the lug nuts, but the SSS rim has an indent around
the stud holes similar to the stock TR6 steel rim. I do
need to carry two different lug nut sockets as my alloy
wheels lug nuts need a 3/4" socket while the stock steel
rim lug nuts use a 7/8" socket. When I put it on,
everything lined up perfectly and there was no
interference with any suspension components and a short
test drive showed I had a winner.
One caveat..............I'm
using 1/4" spacers on my front wheels due to an
interference problem with my alloy wheels and the
spacer was in place when I tested the fit. So if you
have any problems on the front with the SSS, you may
need to pick up a spacer or swap the SSS to the rear and
move a good rear tire to the front if you get a flat
front tire.
You do need to check
the tire pressure as this one was down to 20 lbs from
the recommended 60 lbs.
Don't forget that the
intent behind the SSS is to get you to the nearest place
to have your flat repaired and I think they say to keep
it under 50 MPH and under 50 miles in duration.
Oh yea...........and then
there's the biggest benefit of all..........44 pounds 5
ounces was removed and replaced with 27 pounds 1
ounce...........about a 17-1/2 pound weight reduction
from the trunk. The tire itself measures about 23" in
diameter and is about 6" high when laying down.
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