I needed to replace my spare, as the original either blew apart sitting in the frunk, or the PO attempted to drive on it, causing it to come apart:
I had searched this forum only to find that folks were having a hard time finding a suitable replacement that would fit the original spare rim and/or fit in the area where the spare lives. After some searching, i did find that there is indeed a tire is available to fit these spare tire rims. I was able to order the Kumho 125/70R15 95L tire from my local Firestone Car Care center (yoiu can't find it on their website), and had them mount it for me. Total cost was about $65:
Just thought I'd pass this along in the event it might help someone replace their spare.
Great info. Most of us are driving around with mid 30 year old spares. Wear and age influence tire strength. If the original OEM spare is kept fully inflated and not exposed to bad environmental conditions; for a short distance at reasonable speed, it should be able to get you to the next service station or tire store. The one shown in the pictures here appears to be an old tire driven on low air pressure for more miles than the tire is rated for. These are short distance lower speed tires. Keep that spare inflated. Still no guarantee it will work but there are reports here that these unused old OEM spares work.
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[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 12-03-2020).]
Check your tire pressures at least once a month- and when doing that also Check your spare...a >>FLAT<< spare is NOT a spare....(And they should be inflated to whatever is stated on the side of the tire (I have a Subaru spare to clear my 12" front brakes)
While spare tires will "rot" from age... Looks more like Old tire was "run flat" cause belt failure then stored again. New regular and spares tires can and do have same failure w/ low inflation.
Above is T125/70D15 95M. Just read label and sidewall.
Other brands also makes them.
Tire Rack has complete spares and tire alone. Sells, or did in past, compete spares, tire w/ rim, because many stores won't mount spares. enter site and fill in car, then https://www.tirerack.com/ti...erfCat.jsp?perf=TEMP Or easier email them about T125/70D15
If you have them mounted, should ask DOT Date Code are on same side and neat the fill valve. Tire Date Code only "stamped" on one side in one spot. Think above is close to that so can read w/o pulling tire out. Loosen the "clamp" and rotate valve point to MC should show DOT data.
For very old tires, Last 3 numbers of SN is Date Code as WWY, Week of Year Problem was Y was same 70's 80's and 90's tires... IOW WW6 but which Decade? A lot of "New" tires was 10+ years old stored god knows where and how. Is part of Why after 1999 last 4 digits of DOT code is WWYY
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While spare tires will "rot" from age... Looks more like Old tire was "run flat" cause belt failure then stored again. New regular and spares tires can and do have same failure w/ low inflation.
Above is T125/70D15 95M. Just read label and sidewall.
Other brands also makes them.
Tire Rack has complete spares and tire alone. Sells, or did in past, compete spares, tire w/ rim, because many stores won't mount spares. enter site and fill in car, then https://www.tirerack.com/ti...erfCat.jsp?perf=TEMP Or easier email them about T125/70D15
If you have them mounted, should ask DOT Date Code are on same side and neat the fill valve. Tire Date Code only "stamped" on one side in one spot. Think above is close to that so can read w/o pulling tire out. Loosen the "clamp" and rotate valve point to MC should show DOT data.
For very old tires, Last 3 numbers of SN is Date Code as WWY, Week of Year Problem was Y was same 70's 80's and 90's tires... IOW WW6 but which Decade? A lot of "New" tires was 10+ years old stored god knows where and how. Is part of Why after 1999 last 4 digits of DOT code is WWYY
Under inflation is the number one cause for tire failures. When under inflation is compounded with other factors, the tire failure can obviously be catastrophic and unpredictable.
Mine "looked" mint but wouldn't hold air long term. And it was 32 years old so I didn't trust it.
I totally agree. Tires have an expiration date. Most people just don't know it. I used to work at Pirelli building Tires. At one time I was told to cut and destroy several pallets of PZerro Tires that were specifically made for Lamborghini. These tires hade been in storage to long and destroyed. I have no idea how much the total value of the Tires were, but each tire at the time was selling for over $600 each. They were freaking wide and unbelievable low profile. I myself cut and carved off the DOT number from pallets of these Tires.
"Expiration date" is 6 years after date code in most doc's and web sites including NHTSA site.
Many vendors and manufacturer will destroy unsold new tires in less then that for several reasons.
Unsold and unmounted tires still "rot" from crap in the air, more so in most shops and warehouses allows oil and other fumes, dirt, etc, getting to the inventory.
Mounted then 99+% will have wet oily and otherwise polluted air use to keep up inflation and "rot" inside out so Spares may look new outside and still be bad. Even when compressor has no oil in it often still output wet polluted air. Plus spare tires under stress holding 60 PSI (~ 4 Bars) 24/7 for 10+ years mean isn't just Fiero needed new spares.
Instead of fill 60psi every month... keep small cheap compressor. Then when you need the spare, can inflate to 60 w/o risk of belt fail or worse. Any tire under a few % of "full" of door frame sticker are "Running Flat." When you see a tire is low by looking, tire has a short life or is "dead" even after filling. "Running flat" starts happening at higher pressure these tires so running 40-50PSI can easily destroy them.
I will vote for " blew apart sitting in the frunk" on this one. I have seen an identical failure as the original post, and it was not due to driving on the tire underinflated. It was a mid-90's Saturn a friend recently purchased. The spare had no air, so he aired it up. About a month later he had a flat, went to retrieve the spare, and it looked just like this tire. Theory is the tire had been in the car for so long with no pressure, the tread rubber took a set. Once inflated to proper pressure, the aged/rotted tread soon delaminated. All belts intact, still held air.
Old tires = bad, and keep your spare properly inflated.
I will vote for " blew apart sitting in the frunk" on this one. I have seen an identical failure as the original post, and it was not due to driving on the tire underinflated. It was a mid-90's Saturn a friend recently purchased. The spare had no air, so he aired it up. About a month later he had a flat, went to retrieve the spare, and it looked just like this tire. Theory is the tire had been in the car for so long with no pressure, the tread rubber took a set. Once inflated to proper pressure, the aged/rotted tread soon delaminated. All belts intact, still held air.
Old tires = bad, and keep your spare properly inflated.
Correction,..replace "old" tires. They have a life expectancy of less than 30 years,.....to say the least. No matter the manner or method of storage. Not that I completely disagree with what you said becauseyou did not say anythingwrong (persay), but old is old and old tires are dangerous tires. You can never tell when or how bad they will fail. Even the tires that look perfectly good, as in my case, they still can not be trusted with your life or anyone else's. Just spend the $100 or less for a reliable spare. THEN , keep the spare up to regulation. Stay safe out there people
What I need is a spare that will fit over fieroguru's 13" brakes, as well as fitting into the front compartment, over a front mounted battery.
Bueller? Bueller?
Raydar, I have 88 brakes with 12" Vette discs....I was able to get a spare out of a Subaru that would clear these brakes- may be able to clear your 13s...
Not sure how old the tire is- but I'd like to replace it; Does anyone know where I could find a 115/70-16?
Correction,..replace "old" tires. They have a life expectancy of less than 30 years,.....to say the least. No matter the manner or method of storage. Not that I completely disagree with what you said becauseyou did not say anythingwrong (persay), but old is old and old tires are dangerous tires. You can never tell when or how bad they will fail. Even the tires that look perfectly good, as in my case, they still can not be trusted with your life or anyone else's. Just spend the $100 or less for a reliable spare. THEN , keep the spare up to regulation. Stay safe out there people
I certainly wouldn't be concerned about "my life" driving 5 miles on a spare at 35 mph, even if the spare is 40 years old. Especially in a low profile vehicle like the Fiero.
Everyone should have a $20 tire pump in the trunk that plugs into the cigarette lighter. I've had times where I came back to the car and I could tell I had rolled over a nail or something and the air was slowly leaking out and I'd top off the tire, drive it home to pull the nail and patch the tire or remove at home and take to a tire shop. You shouldn't need to install a spare in a situation like this (slow leak) and the time and dirtiness of doing that in a parking lot rather than having a $20 tire pump makes it a no brainer.
As Ogre said, it probably does stress the tire over time having it in the front compartment at 70 psi. I typically will check and fill mine if I'm going on a long trip, otherwise it's probably wise to keep it at 40 psi and then top it off to the spec when you install it using a tire pump in your trunk.
A co-worker bought a new 85 Pontiac Trans Am and he claimed the factory tire would not fit in the trunk even when flat. He could put the donut on but if there were 4 occupants total someone would have to walk. Maybe two come to think of it. Should you have a flat where are you guys putting your oversized tires in the Fiero?
Spoon
------------------ "Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut
Should you have a flat where are you guys putting your oversized tires in the Fiero?
Even a regular Fiero wheel will only fit in the rear trunk. Gotta keep it reasonably empty or move that stuff to the front after you get your spare out.
