I did a search but couldn't find any information about this. I recently had a flat so I used the collapsible spare. My tire arrived today, so after removing the spare and deflating it, I tried to put the spare into the trunk and, to my surprise, it doesn't fit!! I mounted the deflated spare onto the car and lowered it in an effort to get all the air out of the tire. Still, it doesn't fit. Any idea what this is about? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

From my experience, the spare is already a tight fit from the factory removing and relocating due to the friction the tire surface creates with the surround form in the trunk. It may just need some wiggling.

or are you sure that nothing is blinding it below it or at the back of it (towards the front of the car) ?

Wish I can help more

 

thanks for the reply. I tired pushing it pretty hard but it didn't go all the way down. When I flipped the tire and put it in, it went in, but the problem I would have is when I need the spare again. i would need a pry bar or something. In my R, when I had a flat, the collapsible spare in that one deflated completely and was easy to handle.

 

Try removing the valve from the valve stem, to ensure all the air is out.

Ifin that don't work, try using a vacuum pump to extract more air.

 

collapsable spare? how does that work? is it basically a flat tire with a pump provided?

 

yes, the pump is under the spare tire, I think it works perfectly, I've used it once when I had a flat. It's a snug fit, have to go in at an 45 degree angle, then wiggle it, just a little bit, to get it in. I had plenty of practice last year, taking the spare out on the track. It's easy once you get the hang of it.

 

UPDATE: After a good bit of wiggling and force, it finally fit in there. I removed the valve stem to get all the air out. I left the valve stem off and kept the valve in the trunk to put on later when I need it again, which hopefully is NEVER. Thanks for the help.

 

I had a 2002 M-B C230 Coupe with the same spare-tire setup. The valve cap on the spare was notched on the end so it could be used to remove the valve stem. Too bad the SLK's is not like that. I guess they had too many people losing their valve stems when they unscrewed them and the valve stems flew away.

 

I have done it and with just a little bit of coaxing it all went back in fine.

 

Yeah, i still am wondering why it is so difficult to put it in. I may try inflating and deflating the spare again just in case it didn't collapse properly. Could that be a possibility?