456 Spare Tire Kit for about $100

But .... what about the fitted luggage?

 

Well done.

The lack of a spare has always irked me.

 

Brilliant!

 

This is a nice workable solution. Do you know the offset and wheel diameter of the original? Offset is bad for handling and wheelbearings, but since you won’t run it for a length of time (though that may depend how far from home you are when you need it!) that should not be too much of an issue. However, a significant different diameter may mess with traction or antislip control, and when mounted at the rear, you may be messing up the limited slip differential. With 155/70 you have a sidewall height of 108.5mm where the original is 114. I think that difference could be significant, although if I look at the Eurospares website all I see are spares with even lower sidewalls so that is probably no issue also. I have this kit and will check over the weekend what size and offset it is.
One last thing, wouldn’t it be better to have a spacesaver with the correct pattern? 5x108 is the same bolt pattern as many other cars including Fords. Look here: http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread/t-117406.html One of these brands is bound to have a model with a space saver that fits - though it may be needed to enlarge the center hole.

 

The 18" 360 Space Saver and the 19" 430 Space Saver will both work on the 456 w/o issue (There's a 430 SS spare in FerrariAds right now). But yeah, they aren't cheap.

While I admire your pluck, seeing that wheel on your 456 makes me want to gouge my eyes out. lol.

Cheers,

George

 

Of course it’s nice to have an original – but if it hadn’t been included with my car, I doubt I would have forked out $1000 to obtain one. I can think of a lot of things nicer than a bloody spare wheel to break money on. In fact, I'll happily contemplate selling it at that price. Any takers?

The leather jack toolbag with jack, spanner, etc was either stolen from the detailing shop my car was after I bought it, or the previous owner withheld it – my bad for not verifying its presence at the time of pickup, too. The previous owner turned out to be unsporty about it unfortunately. Ferrari is asking good money for these things, about 500 euro.
I have a nice electric jack in the car now with original spanner and gloves – but the packaging is lacking a bit in presentation. The only thing I would be willing to spend additional money on is a custom leather bag for it from my own design that fits the spare wheel. For the money that a new bag from Ferrari costs I am sure I can get something made up that is probably nicer, and for sure more practical.

 

I see many of the new cars (like a Cadillac SRX) do not come with a spare tire, jack, lug wrenches, etc. but just a compressor with a sealant inside. This is supposed take care of a puncture hole up to a 1/4 inch.

It is a high psi unit and you just plug it in the cigar lighter and pump it up. You can then go a 100 miles or so with this sealant. It also works just as a compressor if you want.

So, since we do not have spares in our cars, cannot fit a jack under the car anyhow, have nowhere to store spares, etc., I thought a purchase of this type unit would be a solution to my worries about having a flat and no spare.

So, I did purchase a Cadillac SRX compressor/sealant unit. ($150) Pretty nice little compact unit. Uses a latex type sealant that will not hurt your tire or TPMS sensors...so they say. The Fix-It-In-A-Can uses a different sealant which can damage things...so they say.

Also, I can take this unit when I take my Xterra off roading in the Arizona Strip. I've had 2 flats down there in one day so this compressor/sealant unit will maybe be helpful there also.

I also keep a satellite phone, walkiie talkies and GPS in this bag.

So now I'm feeling more secure!!

Jay
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Great, even looks good!

 

Nice ideas but I keep a small 2 x 3 plastic card with numbers on it and three letters: AAA .

Such an item has produced a flat bed and driver out of seemingly nowhere.

 

Mark- Nice solution and reasonably priced.

 

Cool - but what do you do with the wheel you've taken off...say you've got a group of nattily dressed people inside the car filling the available seats?
Philip

 

Philip- Hide it and come pick it up later with the wife's SUV. Either that or cut off the tire.

More options in a 456, thogh, but that is the answer for a Maranello.

 

Aha another poor trusting soul - or someon who only drives the F car during working hours. Last Summer in I-20, AAA advised no spare tire was available and they could only get a flat bed to me in 6 to 8 hours at 10 pm! So just like the gun lobby says - you only have yourself to blame.

 

I carry a 12 volt compressor with no sealant. Fill her up, drive a few miles, repeat. Will get you somewhere they can fix a flat.

 

Perhaps correct. I live in CA and abundance of flatbeds are to be found. Carrying a spare might be in order, but never had the problem. However, have used the flatbed at least five-six times for either car over the last few years.

 

Me 2 Terry,

But I also carry a can of fix a flat until I can get somewhere they can fix a flat.

I was also thinking of getting one of those plug tools they use when the hole is to big.

cheers,

Bill

 

That's a good idea, Bill. Pull the nail and plug. Then patch electively. But carry a compressor too as you lose some air when you plug.

Oh, and carry the tow hook too.

Barry

 

Hi Barry,

I have never been without a compressor or a tow hook...

All I have to do is stop talking about the plug thing and get one from my tire guys !

Cheers,

Bill

 

With the plug kit, you (and I) will be completely covered. It's time to go to Pep Boys!

 

Bill, I've kept the yellow TOW arrow on my 550...so I know where the receptacle is without looking it up in the Owners Manual.
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hahaha.....

Barry, I called my tire guys right after i posted, they will get me one.

But he said that it's not that easy to push it thru with the tire is still on the car, fronts ok rears might be a problem.

Still worth having.

cheers,

Bill

 

Bill, most nails, screws, etc. wind up in the rear tires because the front tires set them up for it. For front tires, you can turn the wheels for easier access. It's a bit more difficult in the rear, but I've seen it done on my car in the past. Pack a plastic sheet in the trunk...you gotta lay on the ground to do it.

My 944 turbo came with a plastic drop cloth.

Barry
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