Why is it that the manual for the 07 Santa Fe warns against using the spare tire to do DIY tire rotations?



I can't, for the life of me, figure out why they would go through the trouble of specifying in the manual that you should not use the spare to do tire rotations at home.

Anyone have any insight on this?

The reason is very obvious if you saw what a "temporary spare" looks like.

It is much smaller in width than the road tires currently installed on your vehicle and the reason it is called Temopory Spare is because it is to be used in an emergency only.

You can keep it on just long enough to get to a tire service facility and you must never drive over 50 mph or else the tire will overheat and blow.

Okay?

Now, go rotate your tires, all FOUR of them. :thumbsup:

David <><

?? We get a full size 18" alloy wheel with standard Hankook dynapro as our spares over here?

I personally never rotate my tyres. Any real reason why I should? Front set were replaced at 35K miles, still plenty of tread left on the rear so I am expecting to have to replace all 4 at approx 70K'ish if all goes well.

I think you misunderstood me... I mean use the spare to do a complete 4 tire rotation at home since I don't have a lift to get all 4 wheels off the ground at once. :)

(IMG:http://www.r4m0n.info/public/rotation.gif)

This post has been edited by R4M0N: Jun 4 2008, 02:32 PM

this is getting confusing, let's get it straight. on most u.s. models the spare tire is for emergentcy use only as it is not a full size alloy wheel but of course you could use it just as a jacking aid if you wanted to swap the normal road wheels over diagonally

like the other poster l have never changed my road wheels around, all you end up with is all four tires wearing out at the same time and then having to buy four tires in one go,expensive if you're on a budget

The manual is making the assumption that someone would actually use the temporary spare in a rotation schedule that included using the spare on a regular basis as a normal tire?

Wow... That never even crossed my mind. :wacko:

Yeah, I meant using it as a jacking aid. :laughing:

Manufacturers have to cover their rear for everything these days. :whistling: No telling what people will do and then go to court.

I have a full size alloy wheel for my spare. Paid extra for it. And I do 5-wheel rotations. Got used to it since my last vehicle had one of those ugly external spares.

What about the "tire inflation system?"
If you use the spare, and the spare starts going flat, your tire in the rear will still signal it's OK.

I ll add to this too,,, oh why not.

I think you may have read to much into what the point of the manual is trying to say. Just dont use the spare (temporary spare) as a regular tire in the rotation. No reason you cant use it as support if you are changing your tires around yourself.

The TPMS sensors in wheels will only funtion when the wheel is rotating. Rotation 'wakes them up'. Don't forget that they are battery powered.

Temporary spares have no TPMS sensors.

I also use different wheels without sensors in the winter. Don't use TPMS at all.

TPMS....?? we don't get that option here.... :(

I guess it's like the auto-locking door option that we also don't get :blownose:

Unfortunately TPMS is not an option here. It's mandatory. Forced on us by our governments because we can't be trusted to check our air pressure.

Auto locking is different. Not mandatory. Never use it myself, but some people feel more secure being locked into their vehicles.

Correction. We are not "Locked into our vehicles".

We are locking OTHER PEOPLE OUT of our vehicles. Big difference. :thumbsup:

David <><

You have oher people trying to get into your moving vehicle? :w00t:

Did the rotation myself on Friday using the spare a a temporary jacking aid. Took me about 45 minutes and a sore hand afterwards. Considering most places around here charge about $35 to do a tire rotation, I'd say it was worth my time.

The temp wheel is pretty nice, I must say... for a temporary wheel.

This post has been edited by R4M0N: Jun 8 2008, 07:38 PM

Many years ago, one of my two cars did not have electric door locks. It was a four door.

My wife drove that car most of the time and she had a habit of not locking any of the doors.

One night, I had to take her car on a quick errand. Upon stopping at a stop sign, someone opened the passenger door and tried to get in. I hit reverse and floored it while he was still hanging onto the open door. While keeping it floored, I threw the car into drive. When I did this, the door went toward the closed position, throwing my potential passenger to the ground which caused me to run over his legs with the rear wheels.

I was never charged for any crime because this guy had been trying to elude the police shortly after a hit and run he had been involved in.

Now you know why I want my car doors to lock upon starting of the engine. It is a safety feature that does not cost extra, does not take any additional labor on my part and works every time, even if I forget.

One is quite foolish not to take advantage of it, unless of course, you have a death wish.

By the way, I also use safety belts for the same reason. I certainly hope you do also.

This is not a perfect world and will not be until Jesus returns. In the meantime, I will use all of the safety features in the modern automobile afforded to me.

And last but not least, as a matter of fact, the most important reason, my main concern is the safety of my best friend, my wife.

David <><

The other benefit of using the temp spare is the fact that it is very light, thereby causing virtually no additional labor by using it as a four tire rotation support.

Several years ago, I invested in an air compressor for the garage. Shortly after, I added an impact wrench to my tool box.

Yesterday, I did my four tire rotation using the temp tire, air impact wrench and my hydraulic jack. Total time was 30 minutes and no sore hands. I also washed every wheel on both sides before reinstalling.

If you can find it in your budget to add these necessary tools sometime in the future, it will be money well spent.

I have two vehicles and do a tire rotation on each at 5,000 mile intervals when I change the oil.

I have been doing this for years and can't even imagine the amount of money I have saved by doing it myself over the years.

My age is 66 and I think all of this fun activity is keeping me young. :thumbsup:

David <><

Well, David, I guess we all have our reasons for doing what we do. A few years ago I witnessed a car running off the road into a ditch and rolling at least twice. Several other cars stopped as well. We tried to open the doors but they were locked. One of the other people got a tire iron and busted a window. The driver and passenger were both out cold, but were OK in the end.

So can you see my side of this issue? Door locks do not default to open state.

Please don't confuse this with real safety items like seat belts.

I see that your doors lock when starting the engine. That does make more sense than locking at a certain speed.

No TPMS on mine, is this a US only option or specific to certain trim levels?

It's definitely in my to-do list. although I plan on getting my tires at costco, which comes with free lifetime rotation and a bunch of other nice extras.

I've always done most of my vehicle maintenance. The Santa Fe is the first vehicle I've ever taken to the dealer for routine stuff like changing oil.

I wanted to do it myself, but the wifey is scared of warranty headaches and we do get every other oil change free. that kinda makes it worthwhile to just have them do it.