# Spare tire **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [June 18, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042 "2009-06-18T17:11:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![learykt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@learykt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/learykt)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/1 "2009-06-18T17:11:02Z")
I just purchased a 2007 Elantra from a Nissan dealership and just discovered today that the spare tire in the trunk has a couple of shreds in it. It is still inflated, but I really dont trust the look of it in an emergency. Since I have already signed all the paperwork, am I basically screwed since I didn’t catch this before? If so, how much would a new spare run me? Should I go to a Hyundai dealer or would a reputable tire dealership be good? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/2 "2009-06-18T17:54:47Z")
If that Nissan dealership is reputable, they will give you another spare tire, gratis. Perhaps not a new one, but you are entitled to a usable, safe spare, at least IMHO. If they decide to cheap out, just go to a tire dealer–not to the Hyundai dealer. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/3 "2009-06-18T17:57:38Z")
As VDC said, they should replace it for you, but I would not bet on it. On the other hand most any tyre store should be able to replace it for you for less than the dealer would charge. ---
**Author:** ![learykt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@learykt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/learykt)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/4 "2009-06-18T18:24:43Z")
And yes, I know I will probably get a scolding from some about how I should have checked this before buying…damn…I thought I had covered all my bases!!! Thanks for the help everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/5 "2009-06-18T20:37:00Z")
I don’t necessarily think you should have caught this, but your mechanic should have noticed when he or she inspected the vehicle for you before the purchase. You did get it checked out by your mechanic before you bought it, right? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/6 "2009-06-18T21:25:16Z")
Honestly, while we all like to think we check everything before buying a car, we don’t. And the condition of the spare is lower on the list of things to check than are most items. I’m actually impressed that you caught this now. MOst people would never have causght it. Used cars are “as-is” in most states. Even a warranty will typically be limited in its coverage. By all means ask them to replace it for free, but don’t feel let down if they don’t. A tire for the spare is too inexpensively obtained to lose any sleep over. Enjoy your Hyundae. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 4:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/7 "2009-06-19T04:06:54Z")
This is probably a pretty common size donut, right? Try calling an “auto part recycler” or what we used to call junk yard. I’ll bet 99% of wrecked cars have a jim dandy unused spare sitting in the trunk. ---
**Author:** ![rebeldevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b77776/32.png) [@rebeldevil](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rebeldevil)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/8 "2009-06-19T16:26:35Z")
If you’ve got one of those inane space-savers, it won’t be too much. Even if it’s a full-size spare (unlikely) it won’t cost more than $100, mounted and balanced. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/9 "2009-06-19T16:33:35Z")
…and this might give you the opportunity to buy a $40 steel rim and upgrade to a full sized spare if you want to. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/10 "2009-06-19T16:36:10Z")
That suggestion is fine as long as the OP doesn’t mind taking up most of her trunk space with that full-sized spare! OP–be sure to take a good look at the well where the spare is stored. I believe you will find that a full-sized spare will not fit in that well. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 1:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/11 "2009-06-20T01:56:33Z")
Just out of curiosity, has anyone here ever actually purchased a new doughnut spare? A while back I was looking for one to replace a full size spare that was taking up too much room in a car I had bought. The tire dealers in town couldn’t get them and they were absurdly expensive at the dealer. I ended up going the junk yard route and getting one for $5. ---
**Author:** ![scepticus](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/scepticus/32/782_2.png) [@scepticus](https://community.cartalk.com/u/scepticus)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/12 "2009-06-20T02:21:37Z")
If a full size tire/wheel does not fit in the well, where are you supposed to store the flat you just replaced with the spare? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 11:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/13 "2009-06-20T11:05:13Z")
Most Owner’s Manuals have some verbiage to the effect of “be sure to properly secure the flat tire when transporting it in your trunk”. Of course, there is no statement of exactly HOW to secure it. Trust me–the well in most cars–especially smaller ones like an Elantra–will not accomodate a full-size tire. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/spare-tire/32042/14 "2009-06-22T13:54:58Z")
I drive a Civic. It has enough space for a full sized spare and it can be secured with the same device used to secure the miniature spare. Does the Elantra have a smaller trunk with less space for the spare than a Civic?