Spare tire size?

[22229stingray81]

For the hell of it, I decided to pull the spare tire and see just how old it really was. Date code brings it to 1997. Yikes... I need to get a new one on there. The size on it right now is P205/75R15, which I believe is the stock size. Any reason to deviate from that size? I have a spare wheel for my Corvette... think I can get a full-size spare to fit in the tray?

How about recommendations for tires in the P205/75R15 size? Tire rack only has a few sizes listed, with only the Kumho Solus KR21 being not a truck/SUV/winter tire. Thanks!

-Tatortot

 

[Tom Bryant]

I have to admit that the spare has never been out of my wife's L81. I assume it's the same size as the tires on the ground. That being the case, two different tires were offered. Standard were 225/70/15 raised white letter and optional were 255/60/15 outline white letter.

Tom

 

[22229stingray81]

No, the stock spare was definitely a smaller size, apparently starting in '78. The door sticker says P195/80D15 (see attached pic). Upon further research a full-size tire will fit in the tray (I've always just thrown it in the back), but the tray will hang a good bit lower, so should only be used to carry a flat for short distances.


-Tatortot

 

[Tom Bryant]

That's interesting. I have never paid any attention to that. The 195/80 must be about the same diameter as the road tires so the car will drive right. Have you checked this?

Tom

 

[22229stingray81]

Yes, they are about the same diameter, but obviously much narrower.

And I decided to look up a P195/80D15 tire and there are NONE available, so looks like I'll have to stay with the P205/75R15 after all.

Thanks for the input!

-Tatortot