I ended up buying a KUMHO (T125/70D15 L) small "doughnut" sized tire (just the tire itself) and had it mounted on my spare factory front rim that I had. It fits easily behind the drivers seat when I drive. I am 5'10 and no issues. I do not have it taking up space in the cargo - it goes behind the seat standing upright from the floor - just in that little space between the seat and the cargo out of the way - I purchased a $3.99 waterproof tire storage bag off of eBay so it doesn't smell like rubber inside the car. The model# for this tire is 5003283 if that helps. It is so nice having a spare tire for the car (I have used it once so far with a really BAD flat) and not trying to depend on Fix-a-Flat or whatever. That stuff would not have helped at all with the flat I had and would have needed to get a tow. Glad I had the spare! I feel much safer having this while I am on the road!
I have owned the 450 Smart city car, the 451 Smart Fortwo and now the 453 Smart Fortwo, and put the spare vertically behind the passenger seat, but for safety you should tie down the spare with some thick nylon rope from the seat runner through the wheel holes and then to the other seat runner. Carry a pair of scissors t cut the rope if you need to use the spare. I also put a tyre cover over the spare, to make it look tidy.
I replaced my tire 3 times in 1 year and had to order it new each time from mercadez. It was so frustrating because i didn't even drive it. My little bro borrowed and got the 1st flat, than my mom hit a curb the following month, by the time I drove my car a construction zone did it😔 by that time I was fed up. I purchased a new jack. Ordered another new tire and had my ex install it. I love my little car but at this point I want to learn how to fix it myself. I was just going to buy 4 extra new tires and rims and just keep them as back-up😅
Up date on spare tire, my daughter had a flat tire and the side wall was damaged so the tire need to be replaced, the spare that I had inside the car saved the day. It was changed by connecticut roadside assistance and she was on her way in a very short time about 10 minutes. That was shorter then using smart service and cheaper.
What a neat idea! however, I recall reading something about making sure you only use the correct tyre/wheel combo (thin on front, fat on back) with these cars because, if you put a small on the rear it imbalances the STC and ABS and also affects the rate of wheel rotation and possibly could damage the gearbox.... I hope I'm wrong. When I took my car in last year for new tyres around It felt a little weird leaving the shop. the front seems very heavy when turning one way. They had indeed, put the fat one on the front and the other on the rear. When I drove straight back to the shop (less than a mile away) the tyre fitter went berserk at the young lad saying it could have done said damage to the gearbox. I'm happy to report that NO damage was done and I've done approximately 7k miles since the error. Happy Driving!
smarts solution is a good fix for most situations ,which I would use but there are times when the tire is damaged beyond a smart fix and it,s 2 am. That's when the spare is used.
Does anyone know if any other sizes will work for this? Jim said his was t125/70d15 - I am having a hard time finding this size without buying a brand new one for $118 - $129. I see some used donut tires around me that are 135/70/D15 - not sure if this would work or any other sizes easier to get that are less expensive. I already have the front steel rim to put it on. Thank you.
@@bobbader4789 I ended up buying a KUMHO (T125/70D15 L) small "doughnut" sized tire (just the tire itself) and had it mounted on my spare factory front rim that I had. It fits easily behind the drivers seat when I drive. I am 5'10 and no issues. I do not have it taking up space in the cargo - it goes behind the seat standing upright from the floor - just in that little space between the seat and the cargo out of the way - I purchased a $3.99 waterproof tire storage bag off of eBay so it doesn't smell like rubber inside the car. The model# for this tire is 5003283 if that helps. It is so nice having a spare tire for the car (I have used it once so far with a really BAD flat) and not trying to depend on Fix-a-Flat or whatever. That stuff would not have helped at all with the flat I had and would have needed to get a tow. Glad I had the spare! I feel much safer having this while I am on the road!
I have a 2009 smart car passion for two and I have enjoyed the car but now I have 97,000 miles on it and it cost way too much money to have it worked on and to buy parts for it!! I will be buying a new GMC SUV soon so I will be selling my smart car and I will never buy another one!! I just installed a new Condenser Fan and it cost $175.00 for the part and I had to remove the entire front end off to replace it!! The Dealer wanted over $800.00 to install the part and that included the cost of the part. The Top has a thin vinyl skin on the top and it has peeled off due to the Heat here in Florida and they want $1,000.00 to replace it !! Gas mileage really hasn't been all that great!! you could get the same mileage buying a Honda! Just live and learn.
Thank you for sharing your smart Idea . I own a smart car for 3 yrs. Ready for work and out the door only to see a flat on my back drivers side tire and no spare .
I ended up buying a KUMHO (T125/70D15 L) small "doughnut" sized tire (just the tire itself) and had it mounted on my spare factory front rim that I had. It fits easily behind the drivers seat when I drive. I am 5'10 and no issues. I do not have it taking up space in the cargo - it goes behind the seat standing upright from the floor - just in that little space between the seat and the cargo out of the way - I purchased a $3.99 waterproof tire storage bag off of eBay so it doesn't smell like rubber inside the car. The model# for this tire is 5003283 if that helps. It is so nice having a spare tire for the car (I have used it once so far with a really BAD flat) and not trying to depend on Fix-a-Flat or whatever. That stuff would not have helped at all with the flat I had and would have needed to get a tow. Glad I had the spare! I feel much safer having this while I am on the road!
Smart solution for a Smart car from a Smart man !
I love all your Solutions, well done sir.
Brilliant solution! "Improvise,adapt, and overcome "!!! Thanks!!
🐺🧙♂️🦊👍
Thank you I just got my smart car today and you help me out a lot on the spare tire thing
Very innovative. Thanks for posting this and sharing.
I have owned the 450 Smart city car, the 451 Smart Fortwo and now the 453 Smart Fortwo, and put the spare vertically behind the passenger seat, but for safety you should tie down the spare with some thick nylon rope from the seat runner through the wheel holes and then to the other seat runner. Carry a pair of scissors t cut the rope if you need to use the spare. I also put a tyre cover over the spare, to make it look tidy.
good idea
Thank you for this video. Its just what I needed!
I replaced my tire 3 times in 1 year and had to order it new each time from mercadez. It was so frustrating because i didn't even drive it. My little bro borrowed and got the 1st flat, than my mom hit a curb the following month, by the time I drove my car a construction zone did it😔 by that time I was fed up. I purchased a new jack. Ordered another new tire and had my ex install it. I love my little car but at this point I want to learn how to fix it myself. I was just going to buy 4 extra new tires and rims and just keep them as back-up😅
Up date on spare tire, my daughter had a flat tire and the side wall was damaged so the tire need to be replaced, the spare that I had inside the car saved the day. It was changed by connecticut roadside assistance and she was on her way in a very short time about 10 minutes. That was shorter then using smart service and cheaper.
Brilliant. I have 17" on the Brabus, so I got to check it out a bit.
Thank you for that great tip .....,... Spike in UK
What a Smart person you are . :) 👍🏼
just experience over the years. when you're as old as I am you start to wonder how could a car manufacturer build a car without a spare tire.
I have a 2011 & I don't have that little pop up storage area in the back, it's just a cover for the engine. But great video, thanks for the info.
What a neat idea! however, I recall reading something about making sure you only use the correct tyre/wheel combo (thin on front, fat on back) with these cars because, if you put a small on the rear it imbalances the STC and ABS and also affects the rate of wheel rotation and possibly could damage the gearbox.... I hope I'm wrong. When I took my car in last year for new tyres around It felt a little weird leaving the shop. the front seems very heavy when turning one way. They had indeed, put the fat one on the front and the other on the rear. When I drove straight back to the shop (less than a mile away) the tyre fitter went berserk at the young lad saying it could have done said damage to the gearbox. I'm happy to report that NO damage was done and I've done approximately 7k miles since the error. Happy Driving!
The tire is just to get you back home.
Great solution!
Good video thanks for sharing 👍
thank you jim trotta I'm going to do that!
Great idea!
Bravo! You are da man. I appreciate the video. Genius dude genius.
Great done .. I got the same car and I will do it too..:-)
Good job!!
The spare is a temporary fix to get you back home it not meant for any long distance driving.
Jim, I can't find that narrow 3.5 or 4 inch wheel anywhere. Where can I find one?
I work on all my car myself this keeps the cost down, I try to purchase after market parts this also helps with cost. time will tell on the cost
Great Solution,
Good solution.
Thats a great idea
It would work as long as it clears the frame
I used that size tire because its what the junkyard had, If they had the size you have I would have used it.
tire size is t125/70d15
Do you still have your smart? Love the idea. Very inspired.
Yep still driving it
Hi, this is a very random question, but do 4 tires fit into the back of the car all at once? Is there space for anything else?
smarts solution is a good fix for most situations ,which I would use but there are times when the tire is damaged beyond a smart fix and it,s 2 am. That's when the spare is used.
okay great thank you I'm getting my first smart car on Monday from carvana
funnyy I just got my first smart today, from London uk, cost 1000, 2008 999cc. good luck
Does anyone know if any other sizes will work for this? Jim said his was t125/70d15 - I am having a hard time finding this size without buying a brand new one for $118 - $129. I see some used donut tires around me that are 135/70/D15 - not sure if this would work or any other sizes easier to get that are less expensive. I already have the front steel rim to put it on. Thank you.
I’m wondering the same, what did you end up with?
@@bobbader4789 I ended up buying a KUMHO (T125/70D15 L) small "doughnut" sized tire (just the tire itself) and had it mounted on my spare factory front rim that I had. It fits easily behind the drivers seat when I drive. I am 5'10 and no issues. I do not have it taking up space in the cargo - it goes behind the seat standing upright from the floor - just in that little space between the seat and the cargo out of the way - I purchased a $3.99 waterproof tire storage bag off of eBay so it doesn't smell like rubber inside the car. The model# for this tire is 5003283 if that helps. It is so nice having a spare tire for the car (I have used it once so far with a really BAD flat) and not trying to depend on Fix-a-Flat or whatever. That stuff would not have helped at all with the flat I had and would have needed to get a tow. Glad I had the spare! I feel much safer having this while I am on the road!
What year is your Smart Car. It appears the wheel for pre2015 will not fit on a 2015. This is only a spare. What is the difference.
I have a 2009 smart car passion for two and I have enjoyed the car but now I have 97,000 miles on it and it cost way too much money to have it worked on and to buy parts for it!! I will be buying a new GMC SUV soon so I will be selling my smart car and I will never buy another one!! I just installed a new Condenser Fan and it cost $175.00 for the part and I had to remove the entire front end off to replace it!! The Dealer wanted over $800.00 to install the part and that included the cost of the part. The Top has a thin vinyl skin on the top and it has peeled off due to the Heat here in Florida and they want $1,000.00 to replace it !! Gas mileage really hasn't been all that great!! you could get the same mileage buying a Honda! Just live and learn.
Was this a 451? I want to to this exact thing on mine! I’m unclear on whether and donut tire and rim will fit the 3 bolts?
yes a 451 is a 2013 passion
Great tip thanks, now could you please post the link to get the rim I looked all over I can't find it.
I did a google search and found a few steel ones
@@jjtjr58 thanks
Hi Mr. Jim I finally I bought the steel rim, but it is the rear one, so can I use it at front in a case of an emergency? Thanks
@@sadizkisaula7697 front rim
Great video......how much does it cost to get the donut tire put on the rim?
less then $20.00 if you go to an off brand tire shop you can get it done cheaper. while on vacation once i had a tire mounted for $5.00
Thank you for sharing your smart Idea . I own a smart car for 3 yrs. Ready for work and out the door only to see a flat on my back drivers side tire and no spare .
Can I have the link please.
Great idea but why not put a regular tire on the rim instead of the spare tire?
I guess you could, but I wanted it small so it would not take up too much space behind the seat.
I would put 4 motorcycle tires on a smart car for better fule milage
What was the wheel size please
t125/70d15
@@jjtjr58 Jim, I can't find the wheel at all.
I found a full size wheel, but not that narrow wheel at all?
camera name?
ipad
@@jjtjr58 ipad 2?
@@c0ncordereis128 yes
@@jjtjr58 thank you.
I’ll buy it lol
With limited space surely a can of puncture foam would be better this idea is a bit over the top
If its side wall damage that wouldn't work, as that happened to me
STILL HAVE THE CAR, WANT TO SELL THAT SPARE?
yep, still have it so I still need the spare.
@@jjtjr58 BOUGHT A USED TIRE WITH RIM AND IT FITS BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT ++
@@michaelfirestone7440 is your seat pulled all the way forward?