I just got back from spending a week with my family at a Cottage it was great, when I loaded up the car I quickly found out that the trunkspace on the G sedan SUCKS it took me almost an hour to load up the car trying every way to make everything fit, I lifted the trunk floor up to see how much I could fit in the rim of the spare tire and much to my suprise there was a full size tire and 17" wheel just like the stock 17"s I also noticed there is 1 and a half inch thick foam boards around the tire to make the floor level so the tire doesn't stick out. We came home today as I was unpacking I started to wonder if I replaced that wheel with a real spare in there and took out the foam boards I could get a small increase in space and it just so happens that I kept my spare tire from my 02' Maxima. My question is would that spare work with the G ? The rim is 16" so I know it will fit cause my winter wheels are 16" I'm just not sure if it will throw off the VDC if I have to use it. What do you guys think.....could this work?

 

I dont even drive with spare tires with me, too much weight. If you get a tire blowout, just call tow truck and said your spare tire blew up from before :P

 

Roy, The ideal setup is that the circumferance of the saved Max wheel is within 3% of the OEM wheel/tire combo. That way your ABS/VDC won't be upset over longer distances.

In reality, I've noticed that these temporary spares (doughnuts) are so different in size, but they seem to be ok to get you home and get service.

It might be that for short time (temp) use, any size will do....tho for longer usage, the proper size is best.
Another consideration is offset.....there can be quite a variation in offsets which will affect handling and clearances....
Offset #'s are cast on the inside of the wheel just as a 2 digit #.

Brake caliper clearance is important too......it's best to check by mounting and spinning the replacement wheel.

As for gaining a little trunk space.....you might pick up an inch or 2 hear and there.

G/L

Colin

 

Thanks Colin I'm going to test out the Maxima spare this week for clearance I'll also check for difference in diameter between the 2 to see how far off they are, if this works I'll try this out this weekend I will be going camping with the family for 3 days.
I may just break down and trade the G for a minivan next year....................

 

Now don't go that far.

 

......now that's a 'bigger trunk', but you'll have to sacrifice the 'fun factor'.
Keep the G to play.........

C.

 

HAHAHA just wanted to see everyones reaction, I'd rather buy a small trailer and tow it with the G before buying a minivan and my wife hates minivans too so I don't have to worry.

 

Don't do that to us.

The trunk isn't that small on the G.

 

+1.

LOL, G-MAN, you had us going there for a while.....

If I can help with the mods at all, just holler.

C.