Spare tyre solution for 1998 V70 AWD (7 seater)

frontrow · Post by **frontrow** » 16 May 2012, 05:42

Hi folks
Today I checked/adjusted the pressure in my space saver spare and noticed i had to almost squeeze it into the spare wheel well afterwards (inflated to 50psi....max stated as 60psi). Prior to packing it away I stood it beside one of the car`s road wheels and noticed that the diameter is indeed quite a bit smaller (mine are standard 205-55R 16).

Now as there`s no shortage of comment all over the net about how badly the AWD system on 1998 volvos tolerates running road wheels of differing diameters so what have owners done to organise a suitably sized spare that won`t cause the drive line to digest itself if ever one gets a flat, IF they also wish to keep the third row of seats???

Do any full size wheel / tyre combinations actually fit into the spare`s stowage well?

Is a can of preasurised sealant the only option beyond waiting for a tow?

Looking fwd to hearing how you`ve solved this one!
cheers

Post by **rspi** » 16 May 2012, 06:02

I have a full size spare in my 855 and S70. Pull a wheel off the car and toss it back there to see. It will take you less than 30 minutes to check.

frontrow · Post by **frontrow** » 17 May 2012, 05:18

Very good rspi, however your sedan doesn`t have a third row of seats you`re keen on keeping. My current size (standard) wheel/tyre does not fit in the well thanks to the third row seat buckle bracket and as stated i`d like to keep my third seat row. Anyone KNOW how long you can drive at what speed with a standard space saver prior to risking damage? Volvo simply could not have been so deliberately wretched as to provide such a clear way of trashing your drive line without at least some attempt to minimise this.... eg travel no more than 5km at speeds below 3kph... orwhatever.

Anyone else?

Post by **precopster** » 17 May 2012, 07:36

I had the same problem on my 960 wagon with third row of seats and it should have come with a space saver spare....however was missing.

One of my old 760 standard alloy road wheels was deflated (I mean really deflated) and squeezed into the space b/w the seat and the bodywork. It's tight but doable. Then I carry an electric cigarette lighter or battery terminal compressor around in the luggage area wrapped in a fabric bag to avoid knocking.

Don't know if you can squeeze a deflated road wheel past in your setup but it may be worth a try.

The last time I got a flat afew weeks ago I was carrying around lots of gear and simply used an emergency spray can to seal up where the nail punctured the tyre. It's still holding. The tyre changers hate this stuff as the gas has ammonia so best to deflate afterwards while jacked up (to avoid breaking the bead seal) and reinflate with Earth's air.

Slightly off topic to this is there now a requirement in the US that inner tubes are not allowed? In Australia inner tubes are no longer in use so if the damaged area falls close to the shoulder the tyre must be scrapped.

Post by **erikv11** » 17 May 2012, 10:40

You can fit a standard FWD wheel (195-60R15) under the third row seat if you trim a metal protrusion off of the seat belt bracket. Put a normal sized wheel/tire in there, you will see what I mean. 10 minutes with a Dremel.

frontrow · Post by **frontrow** » 18 May 2012, 05:12

Hey, precopster i like the sound of that! erikv I`m fairly sure my 16" rims are the standard / original equipement for this machine. I`m off to speak with a friendly tyre shop tomorrow so will discuss alternatives. Funny today I spoke with three different Volvo dealers. One said the space saver shouldn`t be a problem, but just stop every 2-3 km to give the coupler a chance to "cool down". Another said no problems at all but stay under 80km and only fit it to the rear wheels (even after I repeatedly implored him to hear me when i told him it is an awd. The final guy simply said "do not use the space saver.... ever"..... and I could feel him shaking his head as he spoke to me ove the phone. Not keen to downsize to 15" wheels all round. Will see if I can get a higher profile tyre onto the space saver rim and carry it deflated... don`t like my chances... but will more than likely go with a bottle of slime and a compressor. Volvo... minus 1

Thanks for responses guys

Post by **erikv11** » 18 May 2012, 10:25

frontrow wrote: ... I`m fairly sure my 16" rims are the standard / original equipment for this machine. ...

Sure, that's why I specifically mentioned the FWD wheel/tire size in my reply. The 205-55-16 is only 0.7 inches larger diameter than the 195-60-15, if you didn't already look that up. So likely you could get the needed tire/wheel in there if you cut off the protrusion, you may need to adopt the deflating idea too (if that ends up being really viable for you) as the fit is pretty tight in my setup.

Good luck!

frontrow · Post by **frontrow** » 18 May 2012, 17:59

Thanks and indeed sorry about that. i noticed your specific ref to FWD a heartbeat after I`d posted my prev post. Friendly tyre shop told me to go find myself a 5.5" wide 15" volvo rim to which he can get a suitably sized/profile tyre to fit which should make rolling diameter veeeeery close. I`ll speak to wreckers / dismantlers re options while I`m out there. Might see about getting a full size rim and just carry it in the back when we go for the occasional longer trip.
thanks again folks

Post by **rmmagow** » 21 May 2012, 14:40

Please don't take this as 100% fact, I think as long as the spare is on a back wheel you will not risk damage to the AWD system while driving with some prudence. Now, I don't know if that's true in the snow or even for Volvo but I know I heard of this somewhere.

frontrow · Post by **frontrow** » 22 May 2012, 04:08

Thanks rmmagow, however the terrifying thing is that I've just heard one Volvo dealer agree with you, suggesting the space saver should only be fitted to rear wheels, however a DIFFERENT dealer advised the complete opposite!!!!!!!!!!!!

I suspect this topic would have been done to death a decade or so ago, however if anyone has a definitive morsel of knowledge on this one please share as I'd love to wrap this one up and not bother about carrying a compressor and a can of goo with me!