spare tire in an old bug

Okay, so you know how the spare fits in the front of the trunk? I run 165-15 in the rear and 135-15 in the front. I can put a front spare there, but can't fit a spare with a 165 on it unless I drain the air down to 15#. Is this normal or is it just the new maker of my tires.

The Michelins used to fit back in the old days. But I just moved an older Nanking off my rears when I bought a new set of Nankings (not thrilled with the tires, but they seem to be the only company making 135's and had to be special ordered). Won't fit.

Ideas?

The 165 should fit. However, can you fit a 165 on the front of your car? Is it lowered? Something to think about. If you ever needed a spare, it wouldn't do you much good if it wont fit on the front. I'd suggest using a 135 or even maybe a 145 for a spare if you think you might have clearance problems with the 165.

But, to answer your original question, the 165 should fit in the spare tire well.

My spare 165s don't really fit in the trunk either. The hood won't lock down. the safety latch hooks, but the lock doesn't. The tire hits the hood. I currently have a 155 as a spare, but still have the same problem. Next time I buy a set of tires, I will get a small spare also.

Okay, this is what I thought, I just wanted to be sure there wasn't an issue with Hugo. Same as you David, it closes, but won't latch until I let a bunch of air out.

I also was thinking about the fact that I couldn't use the tire as a front spare. But I was worried that a 135 spare wouldn't hold up the weight in the rear?

I'll probably just do that though, next time I am due for tires, I'll use an old 135 as a spare.

Spare tire?

What is this spare tire thing that you speak of?

Oh you mean the wiper bottle pressurization system...

Yeah, that would be it. Ha!

Does anyone actually have that system on their car still? Mind did. Replaced it with a later model air tank.

I have all of the pieces and parts but since I don't have a spare tire I have not installed it.

So here is a funny story because I am so dumb and was such a noob.
(Because I am not anymore)

When I first got May, I was going over everything and I noticed the water bottle under the 'bonnet' just lying there where the spare is 'supposed' to be and connected to the wiper switch.

And I thought to myself "Wow, those German engineers, they made a tiny water pump that can fit inside of the wiper switch, amazing!"

It was a few weeks later when I found the right cap for the water bottle that I learned that it connects to the spare tire to pressurize itself.

Too funny I know.

Oh, and how many have blown up the little tank by putting too much air in it.

the 135's will handle the weight no problem. the "spare" doughnuts they put in new cars have less rubber than a 135 and they hold up a submarine with no problem!

You people are not mentioning the width of your tires. A metric 165 common replacement will fit in a Bug that has a reasonably straight front end.
VWs originally came with 155s.
I think after they changed the standard front end in I THINK 1968, the standard tire was increased to 165.

I have a typical 165 in my '63 and it's tight, but fits.
No wiper bottle, though.

My front rims are 4-1/2" rims and my rears are 5-1/2" rims. Yes, it came with 155-15's on all four wheels when I got it in 1978, original. Back in the early days of CalLook, lowered the bug with a "select a drop". I got four new chrome wheels and put the 135 and 165's on. But, if memory serves me right, I immediately replaced the two front rims with narrower ones because the 5-1/2" rims stuck out way beyond the edge of the small tires and looked stupid.

So my spare is a 5-1/2" rim also, one that I replaced on the front with the narrower ones.

The 5-1/2" would be too much wheel to fit in the spare area.

So my only question is if you were to ACTUALLY have a spare tire (and who does THAT?!?!?) where would you keep the mini keg????



Untapped of coarse until you arrive at the V-Dub event.

V-Dub responsibly. Well to a point.

Mini keg can fit in the rear luggage area in a pinch.

So, remind me because I don't recall, were the original rims 5-1/2 or 4-1/2"?

4-1/2"

I thought they were officially 4", but that always seemed narrow to me. They're probably something metric. Somewhere around here I have a 1963 Bug factory handbook.

...and I carry a spare in both my Bugs. I take them out on the open road hundreds of miles weekly. Plus they're additional front impact strength.

Jim Douglas Jr wrote:

Plus they're additional front impact strength.

I agree with that.

Thanks Greg. That makes sense. That must be why my new one doesn't quite fit, it's a 5-1/2" *and* 165.

Too wide.
For my 6" wides, I used a standard spare wheel whose tire is the same overall diameter as the other tires.
I lucked out and got the same lettering, too.

It is sweet!