Subaru - Small Space Saver

[101RRS]

I had cause to pull out the space saver spare out of the 04 Subaru Imprezza RS (same as a WRX without the turbo) that resides at my house. Compared it with its road wheels and noticed that the space saver diameter is a lot smaller than the road tyres.

The space saver is 135/70 R16 with a diameter of 23.4" and circ of 73.6". The road tyres are 215/45 R17 with a diameter of 24.6" and circ of 77.3". I would have thought the difference in circ was too great even for short distances, particularly given the basic AWD system used in the car.

So is this space saver just too small?

Cheers

Garry

[Dougal]

Is there an impreza model with road wheels closer in size to the space-saver?

My tdi skoda came with what would be a full-size spare for the normal car (205/55R16), but on my car with factory 225/50R17's it was also a whole inch smaller and had a big yellow "80km/h max" sticker on it.

Screw that. I found the full size wheels do fit in the spare wheel well, so I now have an equal height 205/60R16 and goodbye silly sticker. I'd recommend you do the same if possible. A 205/55R16 is ~24.8", a 195/55R16 is ~24.4".

Space savers are fine for getting home from a daily commute. But are a serious problem for long drives in poorly populated/serviced areas. You can still have handling issues with vastly different rims on the car, but at least with equal height the drivetrain is fine and you can drive safely at the speed limit on the straights.

[Slunnie]

Hmmm, thanks for this. I have an 09 RS with 17" wheels. I've never even eyeballed the spare!

[101RRS]

I guess that as Subaru supply a smaller diameter wheel as the spare it must be OK - must make the diff work hard with different size wheels and the VC/Clutch packs in the center drive work a bit as well.

Garry

[BigJon]

Legally a space saver spare tyre is for getting from the spot where it was fitted straight to the nearest tyre repair facility. You may not go home first, go shopping, etc. Given those conditions imposed on its use I guess they think the diameter difference is acceptable.

[Dougal]

Legally a space saver spare tyre is for getting from the spot where it was fitted straight to the nearest tyre repair facility. You may not go home first, go shopping, etc. Given those conditions imposed on its use I guess they think the diameter difference is acceptable.

Once on a 400km drive through no significant towns I passed a van with a space saver on the back.

3 hours further down the road, while stopped for lunch, the same van rolled on past. Still on the space saver.

[Slunnie]

I wonder if it interferes with the traction control in them too.

[bobslandies]

Legally a space saver spare tyre is for getting from the spot where it was fitted straight to the nearest tyre repair facility. You may not go home first, go shopping, etc. Given those conditions imposed on its use I guess they think the diameter difference is acceptable.

The concept may have been to increase the weight carrying capacity (more fat chicks in the back) of the minicars they are usually fitted to that are designed for city commuting. I have seen a few shredded ones and think they should never have been allowed to be put in so-called safe certified cars where most of the owners have no idea about the engine, let alone checking tyre pressures, etc. Yet to see them for trucks

Bob

[PSI250]

as you dont have LSD;s in either of the front/rear diffs it will be fine. center viscous coupling wont get too troubled by it, they cut drive to rear under low load anyway.