Hello All,

I have two 1996 850 wagons. One I purchased new, and I have never had need to use the donut tire. The other I purchased used, and it was evident from wear, the prior owner had used the donut tire. Yesterday, for the first time since purchasing the used '96 850 in 1999, I used the donut tire. It worked perfectly, but I realize this is a 15 year old tire, that may, if not already be suffering from dry rot and I should start thinking about a replacement.

I called my Volvo dealer and the donut tire is no longer available. I called a national tire store and was told by the clerk this company doesn't sell donut tires. When he recommended I contact a Volvo dealer, and I when told him the tire was no longer available, he said a salvage yard would be my next alternative. The problem with salvage tires, is that they may be as old or at least 6 years old (literature I've read recommends replacing tires 6 years or older regardless of tread wear). The other alternative recommended by the tire store clerk was to buy a regular full size tire and put that in the wear wheel. I'm pretty sure the Volvo alloy wheel with a regular tire on it will not fit in the wheel well, which pushes me back to a donut tire.

My question to all is: Where can you get new donut/temporary tires to use as spares?

Thanks to all who reply.

Hugh

if you have a good steel wheel, you can buy the tire in many places. They may have to order it. I am almost positive that a place like TireRack.com will ship one to you. You just need to know the size, same as any other tire.

The manual for my 1998 lists the spare size as T115/70R15 or T125/90R15.

I think the T stands for 'temporary' so it won't have the full tread on it.

I never thought of it until just now, but maybe it's possible to buy a tire that size with a proper tread on it too? Would it properly handle the weight of the car? Something to look into...

--
1998 V70 AWD->FWD->AWD Turbo 215k+

I have a steel rim with a mounted snow tire as my spare. The snow tire is not as wide as the other 4 and fits nicely. Without looking, I think the tire is a 195. Your manual has the proper size, inside the gas tank flap also.

Look on Craigslist for a spare wheel.

Klaus
--
Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

Klaus,

I just tried a snow tire that is mounted on a Volvo alloy wheel. The snow tire is 185 vs 195 for the regular summer tires. The tire did not even fit into the wheel well. This is because a black steel bracket that bolts into the top of the wheel well (closest edge to the regular passenger seats) that is used to secure the two rear seat belt buckles for the children passengers prevents the tire from seating into the wheel well. The only way to accommodate the tire is to remove this bracket, which of course makes the seatbelts inoperable. I still have small children that use the rear seats, so I can't do that.

But for that bracket, I could probably fit a regular sized tire into the wheel well. It looks like I'm locked into the continued use of a donut tire.

Hugh

Those donut tires are really junk. I throw them away and found that a 740 steel rim and tire (same size as recommended 850 snow tires) fits OK in the 850 sedan wheel well. You must have the wagon.
Maybe you can find another place to secure the seat belts? Then you're good with the spare?

Bill (Boston area)

Because you have a child seat, you are stuck with a donut tire and rim.

I have a pump, green seal goop, in my 1998 because the donut tire will ruin the bevel gear after just a few miles. Knocking on wood(head), I cannot remember the last time I had a flat.

Klaus
--
Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

FWIW Klaus, I am pretty sure things are ok as long as you keep the larger tires on the front wheels at all times. So if you busted a front tire, a strategy would be to put the compact spare in a rear position and move the rear tire to the spot in the front that had been damaged. Something to keep in mind.

--
1998 V70 AWD->FWD->AWD Turbo 215k+

I can fit a 205/65-16 (T5 size) Dunlop into the tire well, but not a Michelin.

If the bracket prevents you from using a full size tire, suggest also trying ebay and Erie Vovo for a cheaper-than-dealer temporary spare.

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 191K mi., 5-speed manual, original clutch, third evaporator, third windshield, heated velour cloth comfy chairs, factory HD suspension (1998 only), Bilstein HD, front IPD stabilizer bar, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, XC grill, C70 jewel E-Codes, V-1, Lidatek, IPD stuff, JB Weld, Original Duck Tape, zip-ties, Mobil-1 since new.