More questions from the newbie. I noticed my V70 XC has one of those space saving spare tires. I really dislike those. I want to get a full size wheel and tire and put them in the spare well. I wondered if anyone else has done this and met with success or was the full size tire too big to fit?

Thanks,

RGW

I'm quite sure that a full size '98 XC road wheel and tire would not fit into the spare well on ours. It is a significantly bigger diameter than the rest of the 70 series, and obviously the well was not changed when they added the XC package. Most x70's run 185/65-15; 195/60-15; 205/50-16, or 205-55/16. Of these, the 205/55-16 is teh biggest diameter, but still quite a bit smaller than the XC's 205/65-15. There is about an inch and a quarter difference in teh diameters of teh 205/65-15 and the other 15's amd 205/50-16's, and about three quarters of an inch between the XC and the 205-55-16's.
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Mike Sullivan '07 XC70, '95 855T (100k), '95 855 NA (148k). Past Volvo's: '85 744 (256k), '86 245 (165k), '86 245 (195k), '88 745 (208k), '91 745 (196k), '93 965 (147k) , '98 V70XC (98k).

I've been carrying a full size 205/55/16 spare for years. HOWEVER, when I switched to my latest set of Michelin Pilot AS tires -- those will NOT fit in the well -- they're a fairly aggressive, lugged design, you can see how they'd work in the snow -- but anyway I have one of my old Dunlops in the well, same size, because the Michelin won't fit.

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 169k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, XC grill, C70 jewel E-Codes, V-1, Lidatek, Mobil-1 since new.

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."-Douglas Noel Adams (1952-2001)

Full size 16" wheels fit nicely. Just make sure it is the same rolling diameter as your other tires - don't want to blow the awd system when you use a spare.

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

Yes, I replaced my "donut" spare on my C70 with a regular tire sized to match my 225/45 17" stock tires. It is a narrower tire, but the same height. I even had it installed on the original steel rim from the "donut" spare.
No worries now if I should get a flat.