Question in subject line...
reason for asking is this. My car did not come from the factory with a spare tire nor any tools to change it. The factory tires are run-flats, but they're expensive, wear out quickly, and there are better options out there. Also, if you get a flat in the middle of nowhere, and can't get the tire repaired within 50 miles, you're screwed - and your expensive tire is unrepairable. Also, my winter tires are NOT run-flats.
Factory option - space saver spare in tire bag, with a little foam insert that holds the jack and lug wrench. OK, but you still have the
50 mile limitation as well as a similar speed limitation to a flat RFT - so now you have stuff, but it's no more useful than nothing at all.My idea - for the summer, I will put one of my winter wheels and tires in the tire bag, along with the tools, and use the extra space under the foam insert to hold other emergency stuff like jumper cables etc. that would otherwise be taking up space in the trunk anyway. Before winter, I will attempt to acquire another wheel that matches my winter set (because 17s are cheaper and lighter than 19s) and an acceptable used tire. My theory is, this way, no matter where I get a flat if it is inconvenient to me to stop and get the tire repaired quickly, I can travel on as far as I like before having to deal with it.
I just realized something however - my winter tires are directional, so whichever one I put in the trunk, there's a 50% chance that if I do get a flat and need to use the spare, the tire will be mounted the wrong way on the wheel. I understand that traction will be compromised somewhat, but how dramatic is it really?
Should I make a point to get a non-directional spare tire as quickly as possible or is this no worse than using the donut, say?
I haven't had any experience with wrong-way mounted tires, because I always paid attention to the little arrows on the sidewalls :) My gut feeling is that it's still preferable to using the donut, but if anyone has any info to the contrary please let me know.
nate