Spare Tire for fusion hybrid

[GrySql]

I wonder how the donut included with the EB Ti can work with those 18" wheels

Does it?

[erichFla]

Now this brings up another question.

If Ford is Forcing you to use their seal a flat system and that ruins your tire from being out of balance and the TSM, shouldn't they be responsible for replacing said TSM and or tire re-balance or replacement?

[acdii]

Does it?

Well the Ti doesn't come with anything smaller than 18" rims, and even if it did the overall diameter between the 17-19 inch wheels are all pretty much the same, within 1/4" according to the tire size calculator.

[GrySql]

Why the EB Ti comes with a 16" spare tire on a car with up to 19" wheels and the Hybrid doesn't is question enough for me. :headscratch:

The transmissions and software are very different, maybe the answer is in that area.

 

How did you find the EB Ti tire/wheel sizes for the Tire Calculator?

That would be interesting to see, especially when the EB's spare tire is so much smaller.

 

The spare that I've come up with that matches my FFH is a 16" Fusion 5 X 108 spare wheel with a T145/90D16 tire.

That puts the spare's diameter almost exactly the same at the Eagle LS2's.

If space in the trunk's wheel well is tight I can keep the tire deflated (drops 1/2" from the diameter) and use the Tire Mobility Kit compressor to fill it as needed.

I'm still doing some final thinking about this.

 

 

Edited March 19, 2013 by GrySql

[JSKershaw]

Don't forget the main reason the Hybrid and Energi doesn't have a spare is to cut the additional weight of the car for fuel economy. Carrying a spare and a jack all the time does contribute to lower MPGs (maybe not much but it will).

[erichFla]

I wonder if this will fit because it's a Universal Spare. No way I can measure it from here and don't know as I would trust the measurements from a stranger.

 

T125/80D16 tire multiple hole UNIVERSAL DONUT

 

http://rochester.craigslist.org/pts/3657939063.html

Edited March 20, 2013 by erichFla

[GrySql]

I wonder if this will fit because it's a Universal Spare. No way I can measure it from here and don't know as I would trust the measurements from a stranger.

 

T125/80D16 tire multiple hole UNIVERSAL DONUT

 

http://rochester.craigslist.org/pts/3657939063.html

I'm not a spare tire expert but sure seem to becoming one.

See all the charts and stuff I posted up there? That is there so you can see how closely the car's existing tires and a possible spare tire compare in the relevant dimensions.

I've shown the measurements of my car's wheels/tires and the spare tire's size comparison.

There is a Tire Calculator linked too, so you can compare tires for yourself.

 

It's the diameter, or revolutions per mile that we're concerned with most, total width and wheel bolt pattern are important too.

Your universal spare tire is 2.45" smaller and rotates 78 times more in a mile than my 18" wheel and tire - not close enough for me.

If all you want is a regular spare tire they are easily found, the Ford Dealer has lots of them.

My last post (#29) has what I believe to be the correct spare tire size match for MY car's wheels/tire dimensions.

 

With the wrong size spare tire installed I have been told by Ford Fusion Hybrid experts that the Traction Control, ABS and other computerized systems on the Hybrid may cause the car to stop or may harm components.

Use whatever spare you want, but remember --> YMMV.

I'm not trying to convince anyone else, but I'll not use a mismatched set of tires on my car, period.

 

As far as adding the 30 pounds of a spare tire and jack goes, I will happily pay the mileage penalty.

My last blowout was in the middle of the Mojave Desert and the donut spare in that car saved the day.

[GrySql]

I have found out that a 2003 Windstar Jack and Lug wrench fit (supposedly), they're cheap enough on Ebay. I'll know for sure next week.

Received the jack and lug wrench set from a Ebay auto dismantler, it works perfect.

I got the idea from this C-Max thread.

 

I jacked the car up following the directions in a standard Fusion Owner's Manual, piece of cake.

There are no spare tire instructions in the FFH's Owner's manual, none, only the Mobility Kit info.

-

The jack set is fairly light weight, the jack head has a slot that fits the cars underbody (at the arrow position) and is very stable when lifted.

 

---

Jack & tire removal instructions in standard Fusion's Owner's Manual.

 

 

 

--------

Tire off the ground.

--------

Arrow stamped for jack position, front and rear.

Edited March 20, 2013 by GrySql

[erichFla]

I'm not a spare tire expert but sure seem to becoming one.

See all the charts and stuff I posted up there? That is there so you can see how closely the car's existing tires and a possible spare tire compare in the relevant dimensions.

I've shown the measurements of my car's wheels/tires and the spare tire's size comparison.

There is a Tire Calculator linked too, so you can compare tires for yourself.

 

It's the diameter, or revolutions per mile that we're concerned with most, total width and wheel bolt pattern are important too.

Your universal spare tire is 2.45" smaller and rotates 78 times more in a mile than my 18" wheel and tire - not close enough for me.

If all you want is a regular spare tire they are easily found, the Ford Dealer has lots of them.

My last post (#29) has what I believe to be the correct spare tire size match for MY car's wheels/tire dimensions.

 

With the wrong size spare tire installed I have been told by Ford Fusion Hybrid experts that the Traction Control, ABS and other computerized systems on the Hybrid may cause the car to stop or may harm components.

Use whatever spare you want, but remember --> YMMV.

I'm not trying to convince anyone else, but I'll not use a mismatched set of tires on my car, period.

 

As far as adding the 30 pounds of a spare tire and jack goes, I will happily pay the mileage penalty.

My last blowout was in the middle of the Mojave Desert and the donut spare in that car saved the day.

 

 

Yes, I see, I mis-read the 80 / 90 part so that Universal will not work by a long shot.

Sorry about that. I'm Still looking for a T145-90D16 Universal Spare Tire and wheel combo.

I did not purchase the Universal Spare in that Link.

Edited March 21, 2013 by erichFla

[GrySql]

Still looking for a T145-90D16 Universal Spare Tire and wheel combo.

I'm going to call my dealer next week and order a 16" Ti spare wheel, then find the tire while that is being worked on.

-----

Edit: BTW, I just re-read my previous post and my 'tone' was sort of surly, I didn't mean to be. Sorry if I offended you or anyone else.

 

I ordered this car without ever seeing one in person and had no idea the hybrid didn't have a spare.

Thereafter getting answers from my closest local Ford Rep was not possible.

 

My new Dealer was ranked #1 in Service for all the Ford dealerships last year and I spoke with the Service Facility Director, the Service Manager, a Service Writer and two hybrid mechanics.

That answer was "don't use a mis-matched spare on a hybrid".

The Service Management have offered to help me get any parts I need if I can come up with a plan, that is where I am now.

Ford should have done this for us but nevertheless I think I have it whipped.

All we need now is to test run this Frankenstein spare on my car and if successful the problem is solved.

Of course, it has to fit in the trunk's tire well. :)

Edited March 21, 2013 by GrySql

[erichFla]

BTW, I just re-read my previous post and my 'tone' was sort of surly, I didn't mean to be. Sorry if I offended you or anyone else.

 

 

Thanks for the apology but not needed, no offence taken by Me.

Edited March 21, 2013 by erichFla

[GrySql]

I passed on my request for a 16" 5X108 donut spare wheel with a T145/90D16 tire to my dealer.

Service thought that sounded good and should work.

The parts specialist is looking.

 

waiting....

[erichFla]

I passed on my request for a 16" 5X108 donut spare wheel with a T145/90D16 tire to my dealer.

Service thought that sounded good and should work.

The parts specialist is looking.

 

waiting....

 

Good Luck, alot of us, LoL ( well I am ), are looking forward to your results and how long it takes, cost, etc. . My Service Dept. doesn't even have a solid three stars rating, so I'm waiting on your Service Dept. to see what they and you have to say when said wheel and tire combo arrive. Keep us posted Please. Thanks GrySql.

[GrySql]

You're welcome.

There has to be a solution that is doable and fairly easy for those of us that wander around in strange places outside of cell service.

If this doesn't work you'll see the Frankenstein spare on Ebay and I'll try something else.

 

BTW, that jack/lug wrench (3/4") combo was a smooth operation and if you look around on Ebay they are available from other Ford vehicles as well.

Just make sure the jack has the slot for matching the Fusion's lifting plate and the lug wrench .

Go out and look under your car, at the arrow mark, and see the frame mounted, vertical 8' long (+-), thin plate I'm referring to.

The lug wrench/jack handle combo nests on the jack when stored, tidy.

The Ford catalog's price for a jack is $108, the handle/lug wrench is $34 - I paid <$40 shipped for the used assembly.

[Kaleido]

I picked up my spare tire "donut" from my dealer today, they took two weeks to research it and get it in stock. Cost was $255.00 It's a T16x4T wheel and the tire is T125/80/D16 97M. The overall size of it measures 24 inches and the tire that is on my car now measures about 25.5 inches. I thought it was important to maintain the overall height on all 4 wheels.

[erichFla]

I picked up my spare tire "donut" from my dealer today, they took two weeks to research it and get it in stock. Cost was $255.00 It's a T16x4T wheel and the tire is T125/80/D16 97M. The overall size of it measures 24 inches and the tire that is on my car now measures about 25.5 inches. I thought it was important to maintain the overall height on all 4 wheels.

 

I'm not quite sure I understand the math on that tire combo set. It would seem you are 1.50 inches different in height, that's a Big difference. Feel free to correct me if i'm wrong.

The way I'm reading this, is you got the Spare Donut Rim and Tire seperate and have yet to have it mounted and Bal.

So the 'rest of the story' ( as Paul Harvey Radio would say) will be after you get it mounted & Bal. to see if it all fits and works well with the Brakes and the Other Original 18" tires, correct.

Thanks for keepping us all in the loop of Info.

[erichFla]

You're welcome.

There has to be a solution that is doable and fairly easy for those of us that wander around in strange places outside of cell service.

If this doesn't work you'll see the Frankenstein spare on Ebay and I'll try something else.

 

BTW, that jack/lug wrench (3/4") combo was a smooth operation and if you look around on Ebay they are available from other Ford vehicles as well.

Just make sure the jack has the slot for matching the Fusion's lifting plate and the lug wrench .

Go out and look under your car, at the arrow mark, and see the frame mounted, vertical 8' long (+-), thin plate I'm referring to.

The lug wrench/jack handle combo nests on the jack when stored, tidy.

The Ford catalog's price for a jack is $108, the handle/lug wrench is $34 - I paid <$40 shipped for the used assembly.

 

I've done some research at E-Bay and have found that 1999 up to and including the 2003 Ford Windstar has the same jack, but Don't take MY word for it though , I'm just reading what it says, and they are selling for around $32 + Shipping. Normally you can zoom in on the Jack Pic. @ ebay to see the top of the Jack and compare it to GrySql's Jack Pic's. and also see how neatly it all packs up for storage.

Edited March 23, 2013 by erichFla

[GrySql]

Kaleido, I am also interested to see what happens when it's on the car and you drive a few miles.

Did you get the Jack/Lug Wrench too?

 

Just owning it and driving around with it in the trunk is one thing.

Actually using it beforehand and knowing it will work properly when desperately needed is paramount for me.

To my knowledge, you'll be the 1st who has actually tried to run a mis-matched spare on a FFH - a pioneer!

I wish you luck.

 

Having your Dealer do their own research and delivering it to you may cover any warranty repair if things don't turn out right, one reason I'm ordering through my Dealer too.

 

 

Your new spare is about 2" smaller than the stock 17" wheel/tire:

-------------------------

 

According to the Tire Calculator that tire is 2.46 inches smaller than my 18" Eagles, which is a very large discrepancy between the tires.

That spare tire will rotate 78 more times in a mile than my stock tires.

 

Edited March 23, 2013 by GrySql

[acdii]

I dont think it will matter much if on the rear axles, but might be an issue on the front as the speed mismatch can mess up the differential. With this in mind, if a front tire goes flat, replace it with a regular one from the rear and put the spare on the rear. The mismatch shouldnt be an issue back there.

[GrySql]

I'm not willing to guess, that's why I'm doing all this the hard way.

Getting stuck somewhere and saying 'heck, acdii said it wasn't an issue' is not my normal modus operandi. ;)

 

[Kaleido]

The dealer mounted and balanced the wheel and tire for me, they don't buy it as a unit, they buy the tire and the wheel. I did put it on the car (rear) just to make sure the bolt pattern was correct and that it didn't rub anywhere. That part is fine. My next venture is to drive on it, but I didn't want to do that until I check back with the parts manager that was giving me a lecture on how important it is to be within a few 32ns of overall height. I have to contact him Monday. I did talk to another Ford tech that said he didn't think that size was important. He said if the sensors did give a false reading with the smaller spare, when you re install the repaired flat the system will correct itself. It sure is hard to get a right answer! By the way the price was just the tire & wheel and labor, NO JACK or LUG WRENCH. I already have those though.

[GrySql]

Kal, who ya gonna trust?

I think you're doing it right, one step at a time because of all the misinformation.

 

Who is really willing to drive any distance with the dash warning lights on, or, like the '13 FFH story here on the Forum that would not push over a snow berm and just sat there.

This is a new eCVT in a new integrated OBD system and we're the guinea pigs.

My Ford tech's all agree on using a tire that is as close as possible to avoid problems, not exactly a perfect answer.

Hence my convoluted way of acquiring the correct spare.

 

As mentioned, is it important just on the front or all four wheels?

Moving the spare and tires around works on some cars but how do we know it works in this case.

I plan on testing on both front and back so when the chips are down I know how things work.

[acdii]

I'll be more than happy to try it out on mine, if something breaks, oh well. At least then we would know.

 

Edit, if the wheel from the 10 would fit I would try it out, but I dont think the BP is the same.

Edited March 24, 2013 by acdii

[Kaleido]

Kal, who ya gonna trust?

I think you're doing it right, one step at a time because of all the misinformation.

 

Who is really willing to drive any distance with the dash warning lights on, or, like the '13 FFH story here on the Forum that would not push over a snow berm and just sat there.

This is a new eCVT in a new integrated OBD system and we're the guinea pigs.

That was my snow story, what I found since then is that by disengaging the traction control manually you CAN spin the tires and you can push through deeper snow, I did that the next day as a test, but it's kind of a pain to go through the menu to get to the traction off selection, It's OK when you're alone and testing under your own conditions, but it's annoying if you're involved with traffic on the roads.

[Kaleido]

Here is the update on the spare tire. I called the dealer today and they said the size is fine, I can drive on the donut without worry. So I did that, I put it on the right front, not the left front because I didn't want to head into oncoming traffic if there was a problem. Off I went, well it pulls like hell to the right when breaking and it goes to the left when accelerating. But it is totally drivable! Remember, this is for emergency use only. but I would not be afraid to have to put 50 or 100 miles on it if I had to. I really gave it the test! Drove it for 20 miles round trip on winding country roads and some decent straightaways. Handling quality seemed fine, it's the breaking that takes getting used to. I got up to 70 mph and the handling was fine, I took the 35 mph parts of the road at between 50 & 60 mph, all was well with the handling I even came around one turn on the 35 mph section doing 50 mph and had a traffic jam in front of me, the car stopped and handled perfectly now that I was used to the pull to the right. Accelerating was fine too, floor it from a dead stop and get up to 60 mph without a problem, just have to compensate steering a little to the right. At about 17 miles my sensor light came on warning of a tire pressure problem, that's because there is no sensor in the spare, I expect it will take as long to have the light go out after I put the regular tire back on. That's all from the front lines! ha!