LeeLau Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 I searched but answers were inconclusive and many threads referred to older versions of Outbacks. I know the Forester has a full size Spare. First rant - what kind of off-road vehicle doesn't have a full-size spare. I'm referring to 2006 Outbacks. I asked the dealer if a full size spare would fit in the 2006 outback. They didn't think it would. I'm going to test-drive one and will look to see if one will fit if I take out the tray etc. Are there any ingenious ways of fitting a fullsize spare in the 2006 Outbacks? I drive a fair amount of gravel roads and a donut spare is NOT an option. If the answer is that a fullsize spare won't fit then it would appear then the Outback is unfortunately not the vehicle for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subeman90 Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 I haven't seen the back of an 06 but I would be prepared to be let down b/c I don't think a real wheel and tire is going to fit without putting a hump in the floor. Let us know what you find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger83 Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 A full-size spare fits. You have to take the foam tray out but there is room under the cargo cover. Find a new dealer as it takes about 30 seconds to verify this. You don't even need a tape measure - a stick or piece of stringwill allow you to prove it to yourself. The Outback is not an off-road vehicle. It's an excellent bad-road vehicle, though, and world-beating on gravel. But there are probably many other reasons not to buy one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 I know the 2006 Forester doesn't have a full size spare, at least mine doesn't. A full size spare would fit in the well perfectly, just as a fully sized spare fit in the well of my 99 Forester. The emegency spare was speced ONLY so Subaru could save a few miserable bucks, the cheap, lousy bastards. You absolutely can't use an emergency spare when towing anything. A lot of peopel buy Subarus because they are excellent tow vehicles. This bonehead move doesn't make a lot of sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger83 Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 I know the 2006 Forester doesn't have a full size spare, at least mine doesn't. A full size spare would fit in the well perfectly, just as a fully sized spare fit in the well of my 99 Forester. The emegency spare was speced ONLY so Subaru could save a few miserable bucks, the cheap, lousy bastards. You absolutely can't use an emergency spare when towing anything. A lot of peopel buy Subarus because they are excellent tow vehicles. This bonehead move doesn't make a lot of sense. ...And having a full-size spare adding 20 lbs to the trunk doesn't make sense to people pondering how to rotate five tires on an AWD car that has a .25" circumference spec. It's a waste of money, space, and curb weight. And easily remedied if you don't like it. What 2006 car has a full-size spare as standard equipment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeLau Posted September 21, 2006 Author Share Posted September 21, 2006 ...And having a full-size spare adding 20 lbs to the trunk doesn't make sense to people pondering how to rotate five tires on an AWD car that has a .25" circumference spec. It's a waste of money, space, and curb weight. And easily remedied if you don't like it. What 2006 car has a full-size spare as standard equipment? Ah - you're right. I was sloppy calling it offroad when really its gravel roads - bad roads. I still think its a strange way to save weight and money but I'm not an OE buyers for car companies so what do i know. I'm going to actually go there and physically make sure the spare fits in the tray space. You might be one of those odd minority of people who actually use a Sube on gravel roads and this might be a topic for another thread: Does VDC or Subaru's traction control make a substantial difference for people driving on gravel roads? Context - I used to drive logging roads a lot in rear wheel drive trucks and am quite used to long oversteering slides. Then drove mid 80 Subarus then a 1999 Legacy wagon and lately I've had a Volvo V70XC for the last while with their DSTC (traction control) but am drawn in subaru again for many reasons to lengthy to list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceyWV Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 my 2000 has a full size unidirectional spare. matching wheel too. Got rid of the goofy donut. I had to take the tray out and lower the pressure to 20 psi in order for it to fit, its probably a bit out of round after setting there under inflated and jammed in for so long, but I dont care, I have a full size spare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 ...And having a full-size spare adding 20 lbs to the trunk doesn't make sense to people pondering how to rotate five tires on an AWD car that has a .25" circumference spec. It's a waste of money, space, and curb weight. And easily remedied if you don't like it. What 2006 car has a full-size spare as standard equipment? Rotating five tires isn't hard for anyone with a functioning brain. The donut doesn't save any space because it's in a FULL sized wheel well. There are strict SPEED and DISTANCE restrictions on an emergency donut. If it's 2:00 AM and I have a flat, I'd much prefer to change to a full sized spare, slip in the FWD fuse, and continue my journey. It's a widely recognized fact that emergency donuts are inferior in every respect to full sized spares and they are speced ONLY to save the manufacturer a few bucks. When Subaru speced the donut did they redesign the car to give the Forester a badly needed inch or two of room in the back seats? NO Same wheel well, same lousy cramped back seats, only thing different, a cheap inferior donut. And since I tow, the donut will be replaced at my expense, because I have no choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fnlyfnd Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 Don't vw's have full size spares. I know they did in the last gen models. You could always buy a roof mounted basket and throw the full size up there. There is some discussion about this on subaruoutback.org right now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subeman90 Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 my Passat tdi didn't have a full size spare. Also it didn't fit well either. My buddy had a jetta (2002) and it had kinda a FS spare. His wheels were 17" and the spare was 16" but it had the drive slow type of stickers on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 The well holds a full size spare well. The rreason they dont have one is weight savings, as every ounce adds up to weight savings and better mpg. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrCharlie Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 Every BMW I've owned ('80, '89 5-series, '86 3-series) or have been around has had a full spare. Usually a matching alloy for that matter. Of course, for what you pay for a (new) BMW... I'm seriously considering upgrading the donut in my Legacy, I've really grown accustomed to knowing I have a real tire back there if I ever need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceyWV Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 My camry had a full size spare come to think of it, although it was on a steel wheel. instead of matched alloy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger83 Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 //// You might be one of those odd minority of people who actually use a Sube on gravel roads and this might be a topic for another thread: Does VDC or Subaru's traction control make a substantial difference for people driving on gravel roads?//// Along with everyone in Vermont.... I claim no special expertise but almost any OB driver in Northern New England has done plenty of dirt road driving. My sister-in-law in VT lives at least 3/4 mi up dirt roads in one direction, 4 in another. She just bought her 4th Subaru. I think the rear LSD is more important than VDC for the use you describe. But VDC will allow you to travel those roads at higher speeds. I don't have it on my 06 3.0R - I have the VDT system, to which VDC is an electronic add-on. Most of the 5EAT 07's have VDC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger83 Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Rotating five tires isn't hard for anyone with a functioning brain. The donut doesn't save any space because it's in a FULL sized wheel well. There are strict SPEED and DISTANCE restrictions on an emergency donut. If it's 2:00 AM and I have a flat, I'd much prefer to change to a full sized spare, slip in the FWD fuse, and continue my journey. It's a widely recognized fact that emergency donuts are inferior in every respect to full sized spares and they are speced ONLY to save the manufacturer a few bucks. When Subaru speced the donut did they redesign the car to give the Forester a badly needed inch or two of room in the back seats? NO Same wheel well, same lousy cramped back seats, only thing different, a cheap inferior donut. And since I tow, the donut will be replaced at my expense, because I have no choice. If you want a full-szed spare, Subaru has left room for one, while shipping their cars with a donut like virtually every other car manufacturer. You sure sound unhappy! Doesn't sound like you're long for being a Subaru owner. BTW, the newer Subarus with the VTD AWD system don't need any AWD fuse (nor do manuals). I had a full-sized spare on my 97: bought an alloy rim for $40 and used one of my take-offs. As Messr LeeLau seems sceptical, behold an OEM Bridgestone Potenza RE92A 225/55r17 tire in the spare well of my Outback. The ruler is to show where the panel rests, proving there is sufficent room for the rim as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 My BMW and a lot of the new ones don't have a spare at all. I get lifetime roadside assistance for free with mine and a tire pump. For this reason I have a Porsche collapsible spare for trips and for everyday use I carry a couple of cans of fix a flat and a tire plug kit. My Forester has a 1999 spare in the rear that has only been out of the car to check the air. when I got the car the tires were half gone and I would not dare to fit the spare unless it was an emergency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger83 Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 My BMW and a lot of the new ones don't have a spare at all. I get lifetime roadside assistance for free with mine and a tire pump. For this reason I have a Porsche collapsible spare for trips and for everyday use I carry a couple of cans of fix a flat and a tire plug kit. If you use Fix-A-flat inform the folks putting in the patch. Older versions of this product were flammable, toxic if ingested, and could cause eye irritation. Most shops charge extra for a repair if they see the goo in there. And if you have an 06 Subaru with TPMS, do not use the goo as it will clog the $76 sensor..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 I hate the stuff in fix a flat as I've had to clean it out. It can also harden into a lump and blow the balance. The BMW kit comes with a plastic bag of goop to add to your repair which makes the same mess. I'd use that rather than walk back, but it is a last resort. The one time I've had a flat in the bimmer I just pumped it up and it held to a tire shop, I don't want those guys to hate me. They are still working on it but in a few years nobody will have spares. I think the paranoid will have to carry them on the roof. If I was out in the sticks that full size spare in my Forester would help my confidence level. I've spent a whole day in Nevada waiting for a tire shop to open on Monday am for a tire for a Dodge. Finding one that would work on a Subaru could be really interesting out on the road. You would not want to install a tire that costs you a grand in repairs in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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