Then I really do not understand it. The difference in weight and rotational inertia between steel and alloy wheels is unlikely to be large enough to seriously affect handling,

Hi dieselV6

I agree with what you say above. Did a 'Goggle' and it seems this question has been around almost as long as the cars ( from December 2004)!!

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/16087-fabia-vrs-spare-wheel-50mph-max/

Alan

I should add that to avoid dilemmas like above, I always ordered full size alloy spare, exactly same wheel/tyre as the rest on the car, on all 3 Skodas I bought. It is not factory option, but as long as there is full size spare wheel well, the salesmen can be talked into it easily as they also do see a point in having like for like wheel replacement.

The extra alloy wheel comes in handy a few years down the line when inevitably one wheel is kerbed a bit too much, you then put the ugliest wheel in the boot as a spare.

All my tyres are the same brand and size, 205/45/16. Only difference is my wheels on my car are half inch wider than the spare. Therefore 1/4 inch of stretch over the spare. So am I right in saying this situation limits me to 50mph? Just wondering as off to france soon and would like to know incase worst happens.

And just to mention I live in jersey so have no motorways... And a top speed on 40mph!! So never had to be concerned with this before.

Generally, narrower wheel rim will reduce tyre circumference by a few mm and also make it handle a bit differently, so I'd stick to 50mph. As stated earlier, the true way to avoid dilemma is to get a spare that is exactly the same as other wheels on the car. It used to be a non-issue when car wheels were steel, beancounters somehow "forgot" to upgrade spare to alloy when alloy wheels appeared. Profit before muppets, as usual.

Edited 17 January, 201313 yr by dieselV6

Nice one, cheers for clearing that up. Anyway ill keep my fingers crossed I don't see any french coppers anyway, besides flats are less than idea. Laterz

Of course you could always read the manual... (I fully realise that's the last place most people tend to look!)

Unidirectional tyres*

If you have such tyres on your vehicle, please refer to the notes below:

• The spare wheel provided with a car fitted with unidirectional tyres has different

dimensions. The wheel is provided with a warning sticker.

• After fitting on the wheel, the warning sticker must not be concealed (e.g. by the

wheel trim).

• Do not drive with this spare wheel at more than 80 km/h - risk of accident. Avoid

accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.

• The inflation pressure for this spare wheel is identical to the inflation pressure

of the standard tyres.

• Use this spare wheel only to reach the nearest specialist garage as it is not

intended for continuous use.

Hi DRJ

You have a point regarding the owners manual being the last place to look but you've missed the point that in the case of the Mk1 vRS the spare tyre is NOT " a different dimension" !!

With my wife's Mk 2 Fabia Elegance the fitted alloys are 16" but the spare is 15" so does have "different dimensions".

Alan

Read it again - it says "The spare wheel provided with a car fitted with unidirectional tyres has different

dimensions" - not the spare tyre...

But the wheels is a 16" 6J steel . . .

Maybe - but the weight is the dimension likely to be different... 'twill react differently when hitting a bump?

Only applies if your car has unidirectional tyres on?

Manual also says:

"Unidirectional tyres*

The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of the tyre. This indicates the direction of rotation of the tyre, and it is essential that the tyres are fitted on to run in this direction. Only then are the tyres able to provide optimal properties in terms of grip, low noise, wear-and-tear and aquaplaning.

Should it be necessary to fit on a spare wheel in exceptional cases with a tyre not dedicated to the running direction or in opposite running direction, please adopt a cautious style of driving as the tyre is no longer able to provide optimal grip and handling in such a situation. This is particularly important on wet roads. You should have the defective tyre replaced as soon as possible and restore the correct direction of rotation on all tyres"

Hi

 

I had a similar issues when i bought a full sized spare the talked to the Skoda Mechanic, the stickers are there to inform and guide, the tyre 205 /55/16 Continental sport is not limited to 50mph (v rated i think), the wheel is a standard 61/2 "J 16 " and is not speed limited

 

However this is a stadard spare issued to all superb vehicles of which there are numerous combinations of wheels and tyres. My car has 18" wheels with 225/40 series tyre, this means the tyre is 637 mm in diameter, the spare is 632 mm in diameter a  0 .78%  difference.

 

This is the reason for the stickers and guidance, the wheel is neither the same weight or diameter of the other wheels on the vehicle and therfore Skoda will play safe and suggest a limit

 

Other wheels include:       225/45/17      633 mm,     235/40/17 620mm,    215/55/16  640mm

 

 

All the combinations are withi the 2.5% guidance but are slightly different, not a problem if all 4 tyres are the same, however the spare by its nature will be used with all of the above tyre combinations and Skoda will allways play safe.

 

thats my view anyway

 

 

John