2015 V60 spare tire alternatives?

olddaddy · Post by **olddaddy** » 17 Sep 2016, 16:38

So, our 2015 V60 did not come with a spare as many others have discovered in their newer Volvo. I know the dealer will sell me one for a pretty penny, but are there any alternatives? Any earlier models that have the same bolt pattern or size? What about a jack? I'd like to pick one up from a yard or used off craigslist if possible.

ericy · Post by **ericy** » 17 Sep 2016, 17:24

Take a close look in your trunk. For whatever reason, my car came with the glue can, but it also came with a jack and a wrench (I am not sure how that is supposed to be useful, but the jack is clearly present). But you might in fact have a jack already.

As to the question of a tire, I am all ears. I note that one can buy just the Tempa tire/rim from Volvo, but I don't know the extent to which that fits without all of the other parts that go along with it. I had asked the dealer about it once, and they told me that I would lose a lot of trunk space due to a need to raise the floor a few inches.

Post by **kcodyjr** » 28 Sep 2016, 09:21

I have a 2012 C70. If I bought a spare, it's the only thing I'd carry in the trunk - not so much as room for a 6-pack with the top down.

Given how bad donut spares suck, I've felt it's a better investment to get a AAA membership, and just plan on towing it to the shop if it gets a flat.

Maybe carrying a can of fix-a-flat isn't a bad idea in case I get stuck, but I hate what that stuff does to the rim.

ericy · Post by **ericy** » 30 Sep 2016, 08:52

kcodyjr wrote:I have a 2012 C70. If I bought a spare, it's the only thing I'd carry in the trunk - not so much as room for a 6-pack with the top down.

Given how bad donut spares suck, I've felt it's a better investment to get a AAA membership, and just plan on towing it to the shop if it gets a flat.

Maybe carrying a can of fix-a-flat isn't a bad idea in case I get stuck, but I hate what that stuff does to the rim.

I gave up on the AAA membership some years ago. When you need them, they can take hours to show up as they are under no obligation to provide prompt service. And the other part of it is that even if you get a tow to a shop, there is no guarantee that the shop is open or has the right sized tire in stock. So then you need what - a taxi to a nearby hotel? Phone-a-friend? Or a taxi to the nearest Enterprise? If you are out in the country, none of these options is going to be a good one, and you could end up spending the night sleeping in your car. Make sure you have a blanket with you during the winter (which is always a good idea, but without a proper spare it becomes even more important).

Post by **kcodyjr** » 30 Sep 2016, 09:48

I don't intend to drive the C70 in the winter. I'm going to put it into a storage unit, climate controlled if I can find one.

That wasn't my reason, but now that you mention it, it's a good one.

The 97 850 has a full size Cetus spare in the trunk with good rubber, correct inflation, and a jack and four-way.

If I was going somewhere far, I'd pack a blanket, and food and water, and a change of clothes, and a roll of toilet paper.

Normally, no, because this is eastern Massachusetts, and I wouldn't have to go far to find shelter.

olddaddy · Post by **olddaddy** » 30 Sep 2016, 10:12

I spoke to my local Independent Volvo Shop and they indicated many earlier models Volvos used the same Tempa Spare as my V60. I found one locally for an affordable price. I also found the foam insert tool holder for the center of the wheel. All I need now is the foam tray the tire lays in.