Full size spare tyre - 50mph limit?
David Hearn
tyres. The car (as standard) comes with a space saver tyre, however the
original purchaser opted for the normal sized (steel-wheel) spare which
has the same size tyre as on other wheels. I thought it was good to
have a full size spare as it would mean we could keep going at normal
speeds etc if we had to fit it - not stuck at 50mph on the motorway with
everyone being surprised at you being so slow.
However, the spare wheel has a round yellow sticker on it saying 80kph
(50mph) max - which is the same as for a space saver. In the manual it
states that if any of the wheels are different, then you must keep to
50mph max, use wheel for as short a period of time as possible etc. I
can only assume that it includes the rim type as well as the tyre sizes.
It also later states that you should use the correct nuts for the type
of wheel - but adds that alloy wheel nuts can be used on steel wheels
for up to 2 weeks (doesn't sound that short a period really).
So, can anyone give me some advice as to what the purpose of a full-size
spare is, if the manufacturer of the car then says (and puts a sticker
on it) that you cannot go faster that 50mph? Why might this be? Seems
we'd be better off with a space saver if that's the case?
Finally - would any of you, using a full size steel wheel spare on a car
with alloy wheels, actually stick to the 50mph limit? Just curious.
Thanks
David
Duncan Wood
If you put it on the front you can sometimes feel the difference in weight
when accelerating. But that's like worrying about having two different
brands, not driving like a nutter will solve it.
Mrcheerful
The reason is that the steel wheel is a cost saving for the manufacturer.
If the tyre is the right spec. / pressure and the wheel is the right offset
and bolted on properly then there is no real reason to stick below 50, I
wouldn't.
Adrian
sounding much like they were saying:
> Our Mk2 Focus has alloy wheels (as standard) with (I think) 205/55 R16
> tyres. The car (as standard) comes with a space saver tyre, however the
> original purchaser opted for the normal sized (steel-wheel) spare which
> has the same size tyre as on other wheels.
Is the tyre the same rating etc as well?
> It also later states that you should use the correct nuts for the type
> of wheel - but adds that alloy wheel nuts can be used on steel wheels
> for up to 2 weeks (doesn't sound that short a period really).
Eww. If they're the wrong nuts, then they're the wrong nuts. End of.
> So, can anyone give me some advice as to what the purpose of a full-size
> spare is, if the manufacturer of the car then says (and puts a sticker
> on it) that you cannot go faster that 50mph? Why might this be? Seems
> we'd be better off with a space saver if that's the case?
Ever driven a car with a space saver skinny on? Horrible, horrible,
horrible.
> Finally - would any of you, using a full size steel wheel spare on a car
> with alloy wheels, actually stick to the 50mph limit? Just curious.
If the tyre IS the same, no. I'd treat it as the same.
Chris Bartram
>> So, can anyone give me some advice as to what the purpose of a full-size
>> spare is, if the manufacturer of the car then says (and puts a sticker
>> on it) that you cannot go faster that 50mph? Why might this be? Seems
>> we'd be better off with a space saver if that's the case?
>
> Ever driven a car with a space saver skinny on? Horrible, horrible,
> horrible.
Foul. I had a nice trip from work in evening rush hour up the M5 with
one on my Ibiza. Fortunately I got a new tyre that evening.
>
>> Finally - would any of you, using a full size steel wheel spare on a car
>> with alloy wheels, actually stick to the 50mph limit? Just curious.
>
> If the tyre IS the same, no. I'd treat it as the same.
Fabia vRSs come with a full size steel spare and 4 alloys, and the spare
has a sticker as you describe.
I've been told it's because sometimes the tyres fitted at the factory
are directional, so if you have the spare on the 'wrong' side, it could
be a problem.
Mine had 5 identical Continental Sport Contact 2 tyres fitted, which are
asymetrical but not directional. I've not used the spare wheel, but if I
did, I'd drive pretty much as normal, unless someone can give me a good
reason not to.
Peter Hill
They have turned modern cars into overweight, over tall, over wide
underperforming crap in name of safety but then allow a POS to be
slung in the boot. Used to be you got supplied a full set of 5 alloys.
--
Peter Hill
Spamtrap reply domain as per NNTP-Posting-Host in header
Can of worms - what every fisherman wants.
Can of worms - what every PC owner gets!