I've done a search on this, but can't find anything that specifically anwers my questions...so here goes. Oh, and please don't laugh, I'm a girl and might be asking something really dumb. :smile:

I have an '05 MCS on which I just put 205/50/16 summer tires on 16" MINI R83 rims.
I have my winter tires (195/55/16) mounted on a separate set of 16" MINI R84 rims.

Normally I just carry around a can of fix-a-flat and my cell phone for emergencies. However, I'm driving to Canada in June (5.5 - 6hr drive) and was thinking that I would like to just throw one of my winter wheels/tires in the boot as an extra precaution.

My questions...
1. Because the summer vs. winter tires are different sizes, what are my possible problems if I needed to use it in an emergency.

2. Also, would it be necessary to mount the winter wheel/tire on the back instead of the drive axle because of the tire difference.

Thanks in advance for your help. Kim :smile:

 

You should be fine since they're about the same diameter. I would definitely put the mismatched tire on the rear, and fix it as soon as possible.


Go Fernando

 

Not dumb questions at all.

1. The winter tire (at full tread) calculates out to 1.6% LARGER than the summer tire. That's 61mph vs 60mph. In practice, that won't hurt your car at all. It MAY set off the tire monitor system, but that is preferable to being stranded.

2. I'd say it's preferable to mount the spare on the rear vs. the front. Unless you have an LSD you don't NEED to, as the standard differential will allow the wheels to turn at different rates, but for driving dynamics I'd rather have my front tires (driven or not) be the same.

Note: you should secure the spare tire - don't want that thing as a loose 40+lb projectile if you can help it.

Have a great trip!

 

Definitely not a bad idea. I use runflats and still carry a spare on long distance trips. Pick up a larger piece of road debris or have a catastrophic blow out and that can of flatfixer turns useless.

 

Which spare do you carry?

 

Just wondering if anyone has used one of those portable air compressors and how well they work. I was thinking instead of using that fix a flat in a can stuff just use a plug. Its really easy to do and you don't fill your tire up with all that gook.

 

I don't like being exposed to the elements and other stuff in dark places with a flat tire. Seems to me a mini spare behind the passenger seat or in the boot is a better idea.

 

Excellent info...thanks, this was super helpful. I don't have LSD, but I think after reading both your post and Squirlz, if the need for the spare comes up, I'll put it on the rear of the car.

I really appreciate all the info I've gotten from these boards. I'm learning a lot! Thanks :smile: Kim

 

Thanks Squirlz...oh and in case you hadn't guessed, the trip is to the Canadian GP

 

Kim - Didn't you know that women have greater analytical ability than men? A spare is a good idea on a long road trip and your decision to use the winter tire is good thinking as it is far preferable to the temporary spare that comes with the standard MC. I'm be in Canada with my MINI as well this June although as a precursor to my trip to Indy the following week. I hit the GP in Montreal some years back - it's the cloest you can get to a European race outside of Europe given the language difference - enjoy!

 

No spare here...and no run flats either!

I took the spare out of my MC and also don't have the run flats on my MCS. I'm guessing that 911 or AAA will find me soon enough to get my tire fixed if I'm in that bad of a situation. You're not driving to through the desert or the outback...I'm guessing there is some form of civilization close by.



I do carry a small pump and fix a flat just in case

Maybe it's just the thrill seeker in me...

 

To plug a tire is way less work then changing it, all you do is pull out the nail then ream the hole out a bit then stick the plug in. It takes about 2 minutes. The only thing is filling the tire back up.

 

Plugging is only temporary, make sure to get a more permanent solution, like a patch from the inside.

Alex

 

I know a patch is better but but I've ran the plugs in my 18 wheeler well over a hundred thousand miles without any problems.

 

I had heard that, but I haven't heard too many men admit that...

I've been going to both the Canadian GP & USGP for years (as the only girl on both trips). However, I'm going to skip the USGP this year because I'm also going to the Indy 500...and that is way too much travel in the month of June. I really liked it better when the USGP was in September because then you could see a race at the beginning of the season and one at the end.