550 Spare wheel and tire

John- I was going to say run flats, but there are really no appropriate rear tires for the 18" wheels. The real trouble with a spare tire is what to do with the original after putting on the spare. It will not go in the trunk with the lid down and I am not even sure you could get it in the passenger seat, assuming it was empty. You would almost have to hide the wheel and tire and come back for it.

Anybody got any experience with flat tires? On long trips, I carry a 12V air pump. That, combined with the sealant, will usually allow you to limp along a few miles between topping up the air. At least it will get you somewhere to have the tire repaired.

No jack either, so make sure you get the jack kit, too. There is also a different trunk floor piece to go with the spare tire.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

There are no good solutions. As Terry points out, even if you have the spare kit, there is no place to put the wheel with the flat tire. This is the price of driving an exotic. They just aren't practical. In addition to my fire extinguisher and proof of insurance card, I carry a can of sealant in the trunk that I hope I never have to use. On long trips, I throw in a tube of goop glue, some wire, duct tape and vice grips, figuring they might help me limp home or at least out of danger. Also in my wallet is my AAA card. Well worth the investment.

 

i just purchased a can of slime and a compressor to carry. i think that's the best you can do.

 

don't forget the .45

 

I picked up a nail a couple of years ago. I bought a can of the garden variety fix a flat and used it (instead of the expensive to replace Ferrari flavor). It worked well and I was able to nurse the car to get the tire replaced. I would not recommend driving more than 50 miles from home without a can of the $10 variety in my car.

If you blow out a side wall like my wife did with her Vogue Tyres on her Caddy a couple of years ago...no fix a flat will ever help that one...bring out the flatbed!

No place to put the old tire in the 550!

 

I have the spare tire, besides from the fact it takes up space I was happy to have it until I read your post Terry. I really never thought of where I would put a 19" wheel.

However through years I have had cars with no spare tires or removed them for sounds systems. And when anyone asked me if I was ever concerned about getting a flat I would mention the days when I used to ride motorcycles, and to this day I have never seen a spare on one of them.

 

The hot ticket is to go on the corvette forum in the racing section. Someone is always converting a C5 or later vette into a racecar. Many have the GM cig lighter pump with the GM glue/air bottle. If works for everything except big holes.
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+1 lol

 

will the stuff we get with the car work ?

Bill

 

Bill,

If it's the the original can that came with the car, it probably won't. Go to Pep Boys and pick up two fresh cans in that size. Use the original can for concours.

Barry

 

I'm new to Ferrari ownership having bought my first, a 550, six weeks ago. It came without a spare which seems the norm. I'm in the UK and as I intend driving it to France, Monaco, Italy, etc I wanted a spare wheel. The Ferrari wheel costs about £600 here.

I found that the pcd is the same as Jaguars and Volvos from about 1999 onwards. Also various Alfas and Renaults but they are probably hard to find in the US. Obviously it needs to be a 17 inch space saver. I found a Volvo S80 2004 model wheel with a new tyre on ebay for 27 pounds. It needs about an inch wheel spacer to clear the caliper and take up the length of the wheel bolt as the Volvo wheel is a lot thinner than the Ferrari wheel.

Also having looked at regular scissor jacks I doubt that there would be enough ground clearance when you have a flat, so I've bought an inflatable bag jack.

If anybody wants a list of the cars that have suitable spare wheels that fit Ferraris just ask and I'll post the list.

 

There was a list a while ago but it can be hard to find so please post it

 

[Flame suit /ON]

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?products_id=272481

[Flame suit /OFF]

 

Thanks Barry, will do.
But do they work ?
lol,
Bill

 

What is that, the Bat Signal? I was saving up for the alarm siren module, but now that you have brought this to my attention.....

 

Bill,

They work. Afterward, you take your car in to remove the tire, clean the stuff out, patch the tire, remount and balance. I've done that.

Barry

 

Funny, that reminds me of a time years ago with a flat in my Fiat convertible and I was carrying a 7 foot surfboard with the top down and I was way out in the boonies. Long before cell phones. Hitched a ride and had my car picked up. Forgot to tell the tow truck driver about the surfboard I hid in the woods. I had to drive 2 hours back to find the surfboard. I had almost forgotten where it was as I had the flat at 2 in the morning. ahh, the old days, when the most important thing was tasty waves and cold beer.

 

cool thanks Barry...

 

Remember, Bill, two large cans.

Barry

 

Yes Thanks !

 

Details of wheel pcd are here - http://www.carlsalter.com/wheel_fitments.html

Ferraris from 308 onwards are 5x108. Earlier models may be the same. Possibly some owners can confirm.

Other cars with the same pcd are Alfa, Citroen, Ford, Jaguar, Peugeot, Renault and Volvo.

Obviously diameters differ. As we know the later the car the larger the diameter. Also the offset may mean that you need some spacers to clear the calipers.

In addition to the Jaguar X type, the S type, XJ 2003-2009 and probably the XF and XK 2006on have a 5x108 pcd. Diameters differ on these models as they could have one size as standard and one inch larger as an option.

 

Barry most shops won't patch a tire after such a can was used. It seems the stuff is very nasty to get rid of and the repair is not guaranteeable by the shop because the stuff interferes with the adhesive they use while fixing the hole. But if you drove a few hundred metres with a flat it's probably shot anyway.
Besides the point, I wouldn't want to have a repaired flat under my F-car no matter what. If that thing lets go at 200+kph you're dead meat.

 

Those were the days... Incidentally I still have a Fiat 124 convertible for the sunny days, a '77, re-imported from the USA something like 15 years ago and converted to Euro style. It does still have that young image, people don't expect someone in their thirties still driving such a car.