Hi,

Anyone know why the spare tyre in my fabia vrs is limited to 50mph ?

It appears to be a standard steel wheel (not space saver) with the same size tyre as the original alloys?

Thanks.

If the spare's the same size and speed rating on the same width and offset rim, I'd just take the sticker off it.

For the record, I've got 4 alloys, and steel spare with a full-size tyre on it. I'd take it a bit easy if I had to use the spare, but mostly becase said spare is brand new and still has mould release on it.

Edited 16 January, 201313 yr by KenONeill

I don't know but had a tiff with a polish recovery bloke on Monday night as he wouldn't let me drive on the motorway due to the speed rating of my spare, but like you I have a full steel and is rated to "W" on the tyre?!

The recovery man seems to not understand speed ratings.

I have a similar 'issue' in that my spare is exactly the same size as my winters but has the 50mph limit sticker on it, so will be fine to drive normally from a mechanical point of view.

Does yours have the 50mph sticker on?

• As long as the spare wheel and tyre are same size as others on the car (and suffcient load and speed ratings), it can be used without speed and distance limits.
  
• Full size spare wheel with tyre different to rest of tyres on the car has a limit of 50mph but has no distance limit
  
• Space saver spare has a limit of 50mph and distance limit of 50 miles. Same for tyre inflation kit, though some allow up to 125 miles (Ford).
  
• Run flat tyres when damaged have a limit of 50mph and distance limit of 18 miles.
  

I drive across Europe often, usually at night, often a weekend night. For this reason, I only buy cars that can take full size spare wheel that is exactly the same as other wheels on the car. Not many cars left to choose from, especially if you take higher powered engine, larger fuel tank, and rugged suspension/underbody protection into account.

Edited 16 January, 201313 yr by dieselV6

I will just buy the car I like and has everything I want and just tie a bagged spare down in the boot. Will also 'forget' to put the jack and tools back in mine after inspecting them when I part ex it

Yeah mine has the stickers on

And do now know that my spare Spider won't fit in the boot so thinking of selling it :(

I need the boot for luggage, kitchen sink and all. Often have a towbar box because even Mk1 Superb's boot is often not large enough.

I had to use mine recently. It's a 205/45/R16 83W tyre, same size as the others on my car, so I ignored the 50 sticker on the wheel. Speed rating W is up to 270kph (just below 170mph)!

I don't know but had a tiff with a polish recovery bloke on Monday night as he wouldn't let me drive on the motorway due to the speed rating of my spare, but like you I have a full steel and is rated to "W" on the tyre?!

that spare is fine to drive over 50mph on.

Obviously it was the sticker that got the recovery man. And I know you said he was pretty useless but that is taking the biscuit.

Only if spare tyre is same size as the rest of wheels on the car. E.g. If you have 225/45/R17 tyres on the car, and your spare is 205/55/R16 you are only allowed to do 50mph. If other wheels on the car have 205/55/R16 tyres then it makes no difference if you do use spare, no extra limits.

Edited 16 January, 201313 yr by dieselV6

Mine has a steel with a normal tyre ( cheapskate me keeps the best tyre for spare when I change any -usually in pairs).

One thing not mentioned - most AFAIK VAG cars specify 120NM for aloys. I seem to remember an RAC bloke telling me once that steels shouldn't be as tight -any coment .

yes i've got the same size as a spare with 205/45/16 and in new condition too.

And do now know that my spare Spider won't fit in the boot so thinking of selling it :(

It definately will!

I had a 17" audi s3 avus in my wheel well! With 205/40/17 tire and its 7.5" wide whereas the spider is only 7" wide

Spider = 215 40 17

Spare = 205 45 16

So by having different numbers on one wheel means I can't go over 50, or is the difference in the numbers enough to compensate therefore allow me to go over 50?!?!

It definately will!

I had a 17" audi s3 avus in my wheel well! With 205/40/17 tire and its 7.5" wide whereas the spider is only 7" wide

Don't think it's the width that stopped it, the tyre size did on mine are 215 and not 205... although will try again without the pressure of the polish twonk looking over my shoulder

Spider = 215 40 17

Spare = 205 45 16

So by having different numbers on one wheel means I can't go over 50, or is the difference in the numbers enough to compensate therefore allow me to go over 50?!?!

Yes, you can't go over 50mph with these numbers. If you get a 215/40/17 spare then you can. It's not just about circumference, different width tyres behave differently in turns, under load etc.

Yes, you can't go over 50mph with these numbers. If you get a 215/40/17 spare then you can. It's not just about circumference, different width tyres behave differently in turns, under load etc.

OK cool, thanks for clarifying that for me mate.

Intresting topic, so one quick question. I have a standard spare with normal sized tyre, my car runs 7.5 wheels with the same size tyres as the spare. Does the stretch mean I can't go over 50 on my spare?

Hi,

Anyone know why the spare tyre in my fabia vrs is limited to 50mph ?

It appears to be a standard steel wheel (not space saver) with the same size tyre as the original alloys?

Thanks.

Hi Hyte1

My understanding of the speed restriction on the full size steel spare is that the tyres fitted as Original Equipment were 'directional' so

- depending on what side of the car the puncture was - the fitted spare could be rotating in the 'wrong' direction and therefore not functioning at 100%.

I agree that the tyre fitted to the spare meets the required width/profile/speed rating and load rating so is not a 'spacesaver'. If fitted rotating in the correct direction there shouldn't be a problem. At a guess the tyre will be mounted to suit fitting to the near side (where most punctures will occur??). Must have a look at mine in the morning to see if my theory is correct!!

Alan

Well checked my spare wheel and the tyre - a Michelin Primacy Pilot - is asymmetric pattern NOT directional so bang goes my theory on why the spare is speed limited as an asymmetric pattern tyre can go on ANY corner !!

Will need someone else to provide the answer !!

Alan

Is the spare tyre same size as tyres on the car? You said "normal sized tyre", but it is not just overall circumference that must match, it is also tyre size, otherwise handling is affected and 50mph limit applies. I posted on this several posts before yours, might be worth re-reading the thread.

Is the spare tyre same size as tyres on the car? You said "normal sized tyre", but it is not just overall circumference that must match, it is also tyre size, otherwise handling is affected and 50mph limit applies. I posted on this several posts before yours, might be worth re-reading the thread.

Hi dieselV6

Yes tyre is exactly the same specification as those fitted to the alloys 205/45 R16 83W - only difference is the spare wheel is steel !!

Alan