Different sized spare tire

[bpoppa85]

Truck is a 2016 ram 3500. Stock tire size is 275/70r18. My factory tires are going to be needing replacing soon. I was wondering if I could go to a larger tire like a 295/70r18 and keep my spare tire the stock size. What are the implications of having one tire spinning faster than the other 3? Will it hurt anything? I just want to fill the wheel wells up a bit more for no reason other than I think it would look better. Truck is stock with no lift or no level and I don't plan on doing one.

[ak77]

295/70/18 is not only almost an inch wider, it's 1.1" taller. Can't use old spare with the new tires.

[Deer Hunter]

It should be ok as long as you treat it as a spare. Ideally smaller tires should go on the front (not the drive axle) if you have any distance or speed to travel.

[TimeOff]

Will set off you're ABS or traction control light. You will have to get it reset after you get original repaired.

[sewerrat]

I would think it matters much if you use a smaller tire as a spare, most vehicles come with a silly donut wheel and they are small.

As for going with a bigger tire all around, chances are that when you make a tight turn your front wheels will scrape the mud flaps and possibly the inside fender.

[Mulehahn]

Most cars and some trucks, if they even come with a spare as lots don't anymore, have donuts these days. It must be treated as a spare. IE the 60 x 60 rule (60/mph for 60 minutes, or 1 hour on the highway) to avoid damage to the suspension. They figure this should be enough to get you to a shop to repair/replace the normal tire. Now this is only a general rule but should suffice.

[Sooner]

If you cant afford to buy 5 tires, you can always search for a single used one on Kijiji. I have done that when moving up in size. I wouldn't run a smaller spare, risk damaging gears etc if you have any kind if distance to get back home.

[ak77]

Just out of curiosity, what's the size of your spare?

[ctd]

If you have to ever use your spare tire put it on the back axle. That might mean you have to swap a tire from the rear to the front if you have a flat front tire.
Other wise an inch or two won't make much difference.
Most of the time a tire larger then te stock won't fit properly in the spare tire location anyways.

I use to work at a tire shop and that was the instructions to do.

[bpoppa85]

Originally Posted by ak77

Just out of curiosity, what's the size of your spare?

It's a full size spare. 275/70r18

[58thecat]

see if you can get a spare tire the same size as your new ones, used of course, after all,it is an emergency tire only.

[blgoodbrand1]

Originally Posted by ctd

If you have to ever use your spare tire put it on the back axle. That might mean you have to swap a tire from the rear to the front if you have a flat front tire.

Other wise an inch or two won't make much difference.

Most of the time a tire larger then te stock won't fit properly in the spare tire location anyways.



I use to work at a tire shop and that was the instructions to do.

I would argue this is backwards.
On a rear wheel drive (truck) the smaller tire should be on the front axle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[owlhoot]

The smaller spare should not be used on the drive wheels, do not use 4x4 if on the front

[CaberTosser]

Repair facilities would default to the safest option, which would be having the same sizes on the steering/primary braking axle (i.e. The front). They would not care about whether there was a bit more wear occurring in the differential. The diff would be doing the exact same thing if one of the rear tires was merely low on air.

Personally I'd stick with either the stock size or buying 5 tires if the spare tire mount is able to fit the larger option. I default to doing things correctly or not at all.

[bpoppa85]

thanks guys for the replies. I think i'll just stick with stock tire size. I run stock sized winter tires so it would be the opposite issue come winter if i change my spare tire.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by sewerrat

I would think it matters much if you use a smaller tire as a spare, most vehicles come with a silly donut wheel and they are small.

My thought as well. Seems to me that using a smaller spare won't damage your vehicle or void your warranty. But I wouldn't use a smaller tire for very long either.

[muzzy]

Chevy truck spares are smaller than stock tires

[Ricki Bobby]

Originally Posted by Deer Hunter

It should be ok as long as you treat it as a spare. Ideally smaller tires should go on the front (not the drive axle) if you have any distance or speed to travel.

This will be fine to get you to where you can get your tire fixed or replaced.

[gulfman]

Put the smaller tire on the non drive wheels goes for front wheel drive cars as well. If on a 4x4 like was said on front and don't use 4 wd. Had a bad front tire on my FWD car while on holidays. Took tire off back and installed on front and donut spare went on rear.

[ctd]

In the scenerio asked the spare tire should go on the rear axle.
It wont cause any issues with the rear differential and limited slips. Nor have much of an effect an braking.
If put on the front it may cause a improper reading on the ABS system and cause improper braking. Along with may affect sterring.

If you put the vehicle in 4x4 with the smaller spare on the front you may expierance hopping and or transfer case wear dealership might void your Warrenty.

[cat336]

I see none of you drive fords. Both my F-350's came with 20 inch wheels and 18 inch spare. There is about a 1.2 inch difference in height. Ford says max 80 km.

[Shekka]

Just had this happen this weekend. Friends truck 2013 dodge 1500) got a flat coming into this the campsite. Dropped the spare off the truck, took the rear wheel off and put the spare on. The spare was a r18, the size that came with the truck is a r20. Called down to to the shop to make sure it was ok to drive home like that, and they told us to make sure that the tire was on the rear. We didn't look, but they told them that it is in the manual for their truck as well.