Fitting Full Size Spare... there's room

[adioz]

I just swapped my 18x7 ET43 235/55R18s for Comfortline 17x7 ET40 215/65R17s so I can fit snow chains.

Before I did the swap I'd knew that the 17s are 20mm slimmer tyre than the 18s. I wonder, how much space is there with the floor panel at the raised position. A check revealed about 21mm additional space.

Awesome, I can have a full size spare.

Once I had the 17s I tried one... oh so close.....

They are a few millimetres shy of fitting as a full size spare. The floor fits flush at the front but sits slightly raised at the tailgate. The floor panel recessed grab handle protrudes down preventing the floor sitting fully flush.

Some packing on the tailgate lip would do the trick or a new panel with the grip to the side.

Another option might be to deflate the tyre and carry a little compressor to re-inflate when required. I haven't tested this though so I don't know if the sidewall, deflated, would be any shallower.

So, I'm on the lookout for an extra 17 inch rim and then I'll mod the rear floor panel and enjoy the security of a full size spare.

Something, VDub should offer as an option.

[veew]

Keen to see what you end up doing to get the floor sitting nicely. I was wondering if I would have to get a 17" steelie that had a tyre a bit narrower than the standard 17s.

[adioz]

Keen to see what you end up doing to get the floor sitting nicely. I was wondering if I would have to get a 17" steelie that had a tyre a bit narrower than the standard 17s.

The steelie that VW sells is 17x6.5 so with same 215/65R17 tyre fitted I think it would be narrower still.

Price for a matching alloy is outrageous. A single Tulsa 17x7 alloy wheel (no tyre) is $1472.00.

The steelie is $172 ( 17x6.5 ET38 ) so, if I can't another Tulsa alloy on the cheap, this is the go. I'll wait until the spring to see but, once I need to tow the boat, I'll get the steelie.

[tigger73]

You can often pick up a spare cheap in the for sale section as they do come up from time to time.

Other option is the wreckers if you're not massively concerned about having a matching spare and just want a full-size alloy with the same spec.

I do quite a bit of country driving and always carry a full-size spare just in case. I modified the floor of my previous Tiguan to fit a full-size spare (http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ml#post1057374) and have put in a false floor in the Scirocco also so that I can fit the spare in the boot.

[cameleon72]

Hi to all Just purchased and picked up my new toy Tiguan 132TSI Comfortline in tungsten silver with 17inch Tulsa Wish only if could get it with Kingston 18inch wheels with 235mm width , anyone in Sydney want 18 inch to swap for snow chain or whatever reason ofr 17 inch Tulsa with Tyres (Pirelli SCORPION ) 17inch for 18inch new for new ones or as new condition please let me know.Best Regards

[veew]

What would happen if you put use a spare which is 215/65/16? The rolling circumference is a bit smaller so would that result in issues with the diff/drive train?

[Kachingg]

It would be just like the normal emergency spare put it on rear don't go over 80kph and get normal one fixed asap
The rolling diameter is diffrent so as with the emergency spare go to fast drive to hard leave it on to long = likely damage

[tigger73]

OK so here is the table of wheel/tyre sizes and diameters for each manufacturer specified option for the Tiguan:

Tyre Spec	Rim Size/Offset	Diameter
215/65 R17	6½Jx17 +38	711.3mm
215/65 R17	7Jx17 +40	711.3mm
235/55 R18	7Jx18 +43	715.7mm
235/50 R19	7jx19 +43	717.6mm
255/45 R19	8½Jx19 +38	712.1mm
235/45 R20	8Jx20 +41	719.5mm
255/40 R20	8½Jx20 +38	712mm

You can check whether a certain size is going work using an online tyre calculator such as Online Wheel and Tyre Fitment Calculator. Offset, Tyre Stretch and Speedo Error | Will They Fit

The 215/65R16 is too small to fit onto the new Tiguan. Diameter is 685.9mm or 3.5% smaller. I would not even use this size replacing all 4 tyres as it is undersize and will make your speedo read fast. General rule of thumb is you want to be within +/- 2%.

However if you're going to get a full size spare I'd want it "matched" if you intend to use it on the highway. Running different sizes/widths can upset the balance/handling of the car.

[veew]

Cheers mate, yeah wanted to make sure as thats why I'm looking for a full sized spare, need it to work when I'm driving it on the highway.

[Cobwebs]

If the 215/65 R17 (and definitely the 235/55 R1 are a tad wide to fit in the spare wheel well, then you can consider 205/70 R17 (718.8 dia) and 210/60 R18 (709.2 dia). They may just fit. They are the same diameter as the standard tyres. But they are narrower, and what the impact of driving with one narrower tyre is I don't know. You would need some 'expert' opinions to help you.

[tigger73]

Well the specs on the Suzuka wheel (R-line) is 20x8.5" with 255/40 R20 tyres. If you wanted the boot floor as low as possible, then I'd look at the 215/65R17 on a 17x6.5" rim as the diameter is almost identical (and boot floor will set ~5cm lower).

[veew]

The steelie that VW sells is 17x6.5 so with same 215/65R17 tyre fitted I think it would be narrower still.
.....
The steelie is $172 ( 17x6.5 ET38 )

Just wondering, who quoted you the price for the steel wheel and is that including GST? Also is the steelie with or without tyres?

[adioz]

Just wondering, who quoted you the price for the steel wheel and is that including GST? Also is the steelie with or without tyres?

Ringwood VW and was GST inc but wheel only

[veew]

Ok cool, thanks heaps.
Now just wondering if you guys know the next 2 questions:
1) Would running a "full size spare" in 17" and 18" allow you to drive the car in excess of 80km/hr limit that is imposed on a space saver. I'm assuming yes as the circumference is within 2% of the 20" wheels
HOWEVER
2) Do you know if the police will be happy for you to run a "full size spare" at speeds higher than 80km/hr? If you know what the rules are in SA then even better but just want to triple check this stuff. Again logically it should be fine however we all know the law is not so logical...

[tigger73]

I'd try taking one of the stock wheels off and see what it looks like when you stick it in your boot and put the floor on top. If you can cope with it then I'd look to get a "matching" set. If you ever do get a flat you'll need to fit it here anyway so best to check that it fits before you need to put it here.

If you'd like the floor lower in the boot then I'd get a (thinner) 17" rim, fit a cheap 215/65 R17 tyre and just have it there for emergency use.

If you're not super fussy you can get an OEM rim cheap(ish) from a wreckers. I picked one up in decent condition for the Scirocco from Volkstorque in Lonsdale. I have 19's on the Scirocco and the spare is an 18 so I'll be running a different size as a spare.

Have a look on your boot filler flap as it should have all the recommended tyre sizes listed there. I'm sure if you were running a recommended tyre size the cops couldn't really ping you for it. Space savers generally have a speed limit marked on the rim but a proper rim/tyre won't have a speed restriction on it. I still wouldn't be going and doing anything too enthusiastic on it though.