If you travel long distances on the Interstate, you'll want a full size spare

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Georgina Rudkus, Feb 24, 2026.

  1. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Maybe it was the roses

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    Mentioned this before. If you are "lucky" enough to drive a Subaru AWD, odds are you may be changing two tires.

    Manual says included compact spare may only be used on right rear wheel and for no more than 50 mph at no more than 50 miles.

    Would a full-sized spare face the same restrictions. Maybe so as tread depth would be off?
    kris
     
    #21 cyberpriusII, Mar 4, 2026 at 8:41 PM
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2026 at 9:14 PM
  2. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The 50mph for 50 miles is the stated limit for all temporary spares; even applies to full size ones.
    For no limits, get a fifth wheel and set of five tires. Then do 5 wheel rotations.
     
  3. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Maybe it was the roses

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    No thankyou. Have enough mouse homes around here.:eek:
     
  4. Mr.Vanvandenburg

    Mr.Vanvandenburg Senior Member

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    It seems if say a front tire gets flat the spare has to be put on the front, then the good right rear is taken off and the flat tire from the front put on the right rear, then the spare on front is taken off and replaced by the good rear tire, then finally the right rear flat tire can be swapped for the spare, and all is done with the one jack the car comes with. I guess that’s what they want.
     
  5. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Might also have to pull the AWD fuse.
     
  6. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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  7. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Not possible on the last two or three generations of Subarus. Since 2015?

    I've had two punctures on my Generation 5(?) Outback. Both front passenger's side. Pain to swap about the tires, esp. on dirt, but it beats walking or waiting 3-4 hours for a wrecker. If the leak is not too radical, carring a 12V inflator can sometimes get you to a shop without changing tires
     
  8. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Been carrying a plug kit since the HHR, perhaps longer. Last used with the Outback. So far, haven't had a flat that the kit couldn't fix. Since I don't travel in cell phone dead zones, I wouldn't worry much about a lack of spare if I end up with such a model.
     
  9. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Maybe it was the roses

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    Thinking about Bob's advice with patch kit makes most sense.

    After all, hardly any flats (2 or3?) in nearly 20 years. Towing added to my auto insurance is only a few dollars a year. They must know something.