Spare Tire for fusion hybrid

[clummus]

isn't it .newly.opened facility for.manufacturing.the fusion? I would rather have the experienced facility.make mine in Mexico.

[neod192]

 

I would wait till 2014's come out and see if they include a spare tire and have worked out some of the bugs of the 2013's. Also make sure your's is manufactured in the USA, not Mexico.

I don't think that matters. The Mexico workers have experience building the Fusions ... The Flat Rock ones are learning on the job. Do you want them to learn on your car?

[erichFla]

Seems to me they didn't Learn Very Well in Mexico, leaveing out parts and now there is a Recall for a stering problem. Also WHY are they moving them to USA if Mexico was so good?

It's a good thing to get manufacturing back to the USA. BTW..... I've got the spare tire in mine now, fit's well and the area is big enough for a little bigger Dia. spare tire. Just trying to keep us on topic.

 

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130531/AUTO0102/306010007

Edited June 2, 2013 by erichFla

[dalesky]

I was reading an in-depth review of the Tesla ($90,000) goes zero to 60 in 4.1, etc. big 4 door car. Guess what, it also does not come with a spare. Has the same system as the Fusion. I think more cars are going with that idea. I do want to get a spare tho, since I know it can be done, and it won't cut into the already limited trunk space. I can't remember for sure when I last had a flat tire, but still...

[dalesky]

 

I would wait till 2014's come out and see if they include a spare tire and have worked out some of the bugs of the 2013's. Also make sure your's is manufactured in the USA, not Mexico.

I have my doubts about a spare on the 2014's. I think it is the way more cars are going to be delivered. Have you seen one on a Vette? Remember the Chevy car/truck thing? the SSR? no spare there either. Of course both of those last cars have 2 sizes of tires. Makes it hard to get 2 spares in the vehicle, when there isn't room for even one.

[erichFla]

You are right I think but IF enough of us complain about NO spare it might come back. I just hope they don't do away with the storage area for a spare.

Edited June 2, 2013 by erichFla

[dalesky]

You are right I think but IF enough of us complain about NO spare it might come back. I just hope they don't do away with the storage area for a spare.

It is strange that there is space for at least a temporary spare, but none is provided. I don't Ford even has one you can order. makes no sense!

[milleron]

 

I would wait till 2014's come out and see if they include a spare tire and have worked out some of the bugs of the 2013's. Also make sure your's is manufactured in the USA, not Mexico.

Wouldn't want anyone to delay ordering for that particular reason, because the 2014 FFH is not going to have a spare. I think it's pretty obvious that it's part of the design philosophy of the hybrid which emphasizes superb mechanical and software engineering, aerodynamics, and reducing weight. Part of the reason for the increased EPA figures this year is that the energy density of the Li ion battery is literally twice as great as the old Ni metal hydride design. That battery change and removing the spare are some of the things that get the weight down. Things like active grill shutters and the underbody kit reduce drag only a little, but it seems as though they leave no stone unturned, and they're not going back to including a spare next year. All of us who carry a spare around, and I'm one, are choosing to give up some part of a mpg. Ford's not going to make that choice for anyone. The changes for the 2014 MY have already been published, and they don't include a limited-service spare.

[milleron]

It is strange that there is space for at least a temporary spare, but none is provided. I don't Ford even has one you can order. makes no sense!

 

Well, there's a space for the spare because the non-hybrid Fusions do have a spare, and it would cost money to manufacture this part of the Hybrid differently. Owing to the fact that only a small percentage of Fusions are hybrid it makes economic sense to use the same stamped part and modify it with the plastic insert. Right? But I do wonder why one couldn't just order a 2013 Fusion spare from the dealer. Does it use a different lug pattern than the FFH?

[GrySql]

But I do wonder why one couldn't just order a 2013 Fusion spare from the dealer. Does it use a different lug pattern than the FFH?

You can, it's the same lug bolt size. You can buy the Jack/lug wrench at Ford too.

Plus, it's been proven by Kaleido that the common Fusion spare works without difficulty as an emergency spare tire in the FFH.

 

The reason this thread is so darn long is that I didn't want a spare tire that was 2-1/2" smaller in diameter than my W/T's - like the common Fusion spare tire is.

The issue that started me thinking the above was that my Dealer didn't think it was a good idea to use such mis-matched tires on the FFH because the eCVT and sensors may not like it.

So, you have some choices now.

Edited June 2, 2013 by GrySql

[murphy]

I know this is the Hybrid forum but in case any Energi owners are reading this thread a spare tire is not an option for an Energi. There is a plastic plenum chamber for the battery cooling system in the center of the tire well.

[Sleddog]

It would be a hassle, but if it was a front tire that was the issue, you could move a good tire from the rear and place to temp spare on the rear. The traction control can be switched off. The normal sized tire on the front should take care of any eCVT issues. Besides, I will not be traveling very far (hopefully) on the spare. If I have it on the car, it will be slow traveling unit I can get the tire fixed. As others have mentioned it's more about peace of mind and not trashing a new tire using the sealant. I can count on 3 fingers the number of times I've needed to use a spare or a temp spare in the last 15 years, (sound of me knocking on wood).

 

My FFH is on order, but I have started acquiring my temp spare items. I found a brand new jack and handle on eBay for $27.00. And have found many "like new" Fusion temp spares (tire and rim) from vehicles with 17" tires for less than $100.00 at part recyclers in my area. I'll be making a trip to check some out this week. I'm hoping the total cost will be less $125.00 everything.

[GrySql]

And have found many "like new" Fusion temp spares (tire and rim) from vehicles with 17" tires for less than $100.00 at part recyclers in my area.

Just make sure the wheel bolt pattern is the same as the new 13's, 5X108.

The older Fusions had a different lug bolt size, 5X114.

[Sleddog]

Thanks for the info!

[jeff_h]

My FFH is on order, but I have started acquiring my temp spare items. I found a brand new jack and handle on eBay for $27.00. And have found many "like new" Fusion temp spares (tire and rim) from vehicles with 17" tires for less than $100.00 at part recyclers in my area. I'll be making a trip to check some out this week. I'm hoping the total cost will be less $125.00 everything.

 

I didn't make it under $125 but it came to just over $200 for rim and tire (tirerack.com had a closeout rim for $79 and tire for $99, plus shipping). I was debating whether I really wanted to put down that much money for something that would not be used much, if at all. However, a couple other factors came into play -

 

1 - Wife's Energi wheels are same size, so this spare could be used on either car when needed.

 

2 - I drive a lot of miles and over the past 5-10 years have picked up a nail or screw in a tire every 8-12 months, so it's likely that I'll come out to the garage one day and be glad that I have the spare out in the shed.

 

It is definitely not a match for the OEM wheels, but was a better match (and cheaper due to closeout) than a plain steel wheel.

 

[Diana Fis]

I was looking for a spare tire as well for my FFH. I do not have the Titanium so my tires are 17". I haven't moved on it because I don't think there is one out there that can fit in the trunk. I'm not convinced that the Tire mobility kit will be working for me in this hot Florida heat when I need it to work.

[GrySql]

There are two ways to get a spare tire (and jack/lug wrench) for your trunk, the easy way like this or the harder way, like this.

Either will fit your car, both fit in the trunk (with foam insert removed) and both seem to work in an emergency just fine.

[erichFla]

I was looking for a spare tire as well for my FFH. I do not have the Titanium so my tires are 17". I haven't moved on it because I don't think there is one out there that can fit in the trunk. I'm not convinced that the Tire mobility kit will be working for me in this hot Florida heat when I need it to work.

 

I too live in S. Fla. and I went with the exact same spare tire that GrySql got but I got mine cheaper by looking on line and NOT buying it from the Dealer. I did however buy the Rim from the dealer as I wanted to be sure I got the correct one (matching Bolt pattern) . The tire, I bought on-line brand new, so to speak, it was three years old really ( per the tire Date code), as it had the little rubber spikes all over the Tread area indicating it had never been used, ever. I cleaned it up and put Rubber protectant on it and now it sits in the Spare Tire Well perfectly, in my 13 FFH with the 18" tires.

I will NOT use the Tire Mobility Kit , except for AIR only. I was told by my local tire company that if I use the inflate -a-spare stuff in my tire you might as well buy a new tire after that because it will never be able to be Balanced again and your Low Tire Sensor will not work anymore either for that tire. So for peace of mind, I put a Donut type spare tire back into my Car. If I never use it, well that's OK to, but I know it's there and will work correctly IF I ever need it.

Just my two cents on the subject.

Edited July 6, 2013 by erichFla

[smr2112]

Still constructing the Frankenspare...

EBay can be a little tough as there are not many pictures and may not be worth the shipping costs

if you get a bent rim

 

Continental T135/90 - $121 shipped from TIreRack - took one day to get.

Rim is cheap here - $115 shipped: http://www.levittownfordsupercenter.com/oemparts.php?partstr=123/CV6Z1015B.html

 

Anybody get a "non-Windstar" jack that works? Like like all the recent Ford jacks are about the same at least

in looks.

[milleron]

Very good question, smr2112. For example, why in the world wouldn't I expect a late-model Fusion jack to work??

[tclemmer]

Still constructing the Frankenspare...

EBay can be a little tough as there are not many pictures and may not be worth the shipping costs

if you get a bent rim

 

Continental T135/90 - $121 shipped from TIreRack - took one day to get.

Rim is cheap here - $115 shipped: http://www.levittownfordsupercenter.com/oemparts.php?partstr=123/CV6Z1015B.html

 

Anybody get a "non-Windstar" jack that works? Like like all the recent Ford jacks are about the same at least

in looks.

When I go to TireRack I can not find any tire with the T135/90 size. When I google I just get European sites for tires with that size.

 

Am I doing something wrong?

[smr2112]

You have to call Tirerack, not on their website, but mine was in stock.

[GrySql]

Very good question, smr2112. For example, why in the world wouldn't I expect a late-model Fusion jack to work??

The earlier Fusion Jack/Lug Wrench combo looks like it ought to work, I just got fixated on even earlier cars.

If the Lug Wrench is 3/4" or 19mm all should be fine.

Ebay has them.

[smr2112]

What the heck, I bit on this very item and will report back once I have it in hand. I too think it should work

fine. You took the risk on the tire/rim, so I'll take the risk on this.

 

I measured just the unmounted tire against the 18" Goodyear LS-2 and it indeed, visually at least

1/2" or so smaller. Probably will be the best matched spare tire/donut to any car on the road!

 

My only hope is that if needed, it would not damage the transmission at all for a short drive -

I'd doubt it and you (GrySql) would know if it did - just hope this isn't the reason Ford didn't provide one.

 

Or maybe we're just better engineers that the Ford co-op student who would have to come up

with a spare for that car :) !

[erichFla]

What the heck, I bit on this very item and will report back once I have it in hand. I too think it should work

fine. You took the risk on the tire/rim, so I'll take the risk on this.

 

I measured just the unmounted tire against the 18" Goodyear LS-2 and it indeed, visually at least

1/2" or so smaller. Probably will be the best matched spare tire/donut to any car on the road!

 

My only hope is that if needed, it would not damage the transmission at all for a short drive -

I'd doubt it and you (GrySql) would know if it did - just hope this isn't the reason Ford didn't provide one.

 

Or maybe we're just better engineers that the Ford co-op student who would have to come up

with a spare for that car :) !

 

I would rather put my Continental T135/90 Spare tire on the Front end of my Car than the one that Ford supplies with the Regular Fusion that has the 18" tires on it. Can you imagine how bad that will make the car tilt going down the road with the Factory supplied Spare tire Two inches smaller than the others. Ours on the other hand is only a 1/2 inch different in height to the originals. Also another tip is, if you are concerned about the size of the tire effecting the Transmission, you can always put the spare on the Back and the Good Back tire on the front if the flat tire is one of the Front ones. Then no Tranny problems for sure, that way.

Edited July 18, 2013 by erichFla