This is something I have been trying to find info on, without much success, so I am looking for the opinions particularly of our local police members (real police, rather than forum police ).

 

I am looking for a full size spare for my Subaru, but as it uses wheels specific to just that trim level and at an odd size (18x7) so I am wondering about the legality of driving 'unrestricted' (ie not stuck at 50mph) on a wheel that is very similar (likely 18x7.5 with a slightly different offset) but still has exactly the same tyre size. I can see nothing in the MOT or other legislation regarding the wheels the tyres are on, only that the tyre sizes have to match.

I wouldnt have thought that would be a problem.

Maybe take a size from a different spec of the same scooby?

Do you need a Law, a Construction & Use, or some other Legislation to tell you,

that its not a good idea.?

 

UK MOT's are very Lax and allow many things to go by,

& Use & Construction might be similar or identical to Mainland Europe,

but many things slip past the Police and the likes.

 

Maybe best to just use a different weight and construction, off set wheel at reduced speeds when used as a spare until you can get a matching set on.

 

If no law covers the situation, and you decide to do what you want then do it. 'Whats the Worst That can Happen'.

 

Pulled into a VOSA Roadside Check, or stopped by a Police Car that happens behind you as you are sticking to NSL's

might be insteresting,

as will be an Accident Investigator checking over a Vehicle for the Police or an Insurance Company.

 

But then again, you might get on OK for years with mis-matched rims on the same axle.

 

Personally when i have Directional Tyre on and on a Trip,

I carry 2 Spares with me, so i have a Spare for each side of the car,

this allows to carry on without reducing speed until able to purchase a new tyre, or repair the puncture.

Handy when tyres are on that might not be on the rack at Tyre Fitting Centres.

Oh. I read that wrong. I thought you were changing them all.

Nah. I wouldnt just change 1 haha.

Yes, just looking at the idea for a spare. I have a donut, but it will fit (and in different countries comes with) a full alloy which is ridiculously expensive as there aren't any available yet from anywhere except dealers.

 

I will likely use one of the winter wheels (17s) so at least I don't have to worry about how long I use the spare, just how fast I go.

I maybe read it wrong.

 

I thought it asked,

what stops you fitting an different Size/Width/Offset wheel as a spare but driving at usual speeds above 50 mph.

Are there any laws  getting broken.

 

EDIT,

was slow typing.

What alloy is it that you can not find at a reasonable price?

 

On what car?

Can you Reset the Tyre Pressure Monitor when running on a Spare of a different size,

& Disable ESP if it is fitted.

 

& is this on a Full or Part Time 'All Wheel Drive car' ?

Yeah. Do subaru's still have a fully symmetrical 4wd system?

Defo wouldnt do it if thats the case.

What alloy is it that you can not find at a reasonable price?

 

On what car?

Can you Reset the Tyre Pressure Monitor when running on a Spare of a different size,

& Disable ESP if it is fitted.

 

& is this on a Full or Part Time 'All Wheel Drive car' ?

 

Its a Subaru Forester XT, a new model and the alloys for it are unique to just those and there aren't many wrapped around trees yet to scavenge from. Its full time AWD (60/40 split normally) and I believe if it detects one wheel being 'odd' it will turn off various things.

 

My point is the tyre wouldn't be different, just the wheel its mounted on, exactly like using a full size steel spare in place of an alloy, something that I believe is not necessarily restricted, hence my question. Tyre width, profile, diameter and rolling radius would be identical. Yes, the weight would be different, but it is with a full size steel too.

If you need to put the miss matched spare on,  then just batter on at the speed you normally drive,

'What is the worst that can happen'.

 

Or do you need some type of University or Motoring Industry testing to tell you,

its not a good idea.

 

Where do you need to go so quickly that 50 mph will not be enough until you can change back to a Matched wheel.?

Maybe an idea to just Splash the Cash and buy the Matching Rim you need.

If you can not reduce speeds after a Puncture.

I maybe read it wrong.

 

I thought it asked,

what stops you fitting an different Size/Width/Offset wheel as a spare but driving at usual speeds above 50 mph.

Are there any laws  getting broken.

 

EDIT,

was slow typing.

Yes, I was hoping to get around both the built in range issue and the speed restriction on the pram wheel.

Just stick on the matching tyre on the different rim,

put on the car and go try for yourself on a disused car park, or private road in the wet or cold,

& it might make no difference.

 

In the Wet or Cold you probably drive to conditions anyway, 

so no harm would become you or others.

 

?What is the Advice from Subaru in the Owners Manual on the use of spare wheels?

The advice for the donut is to put it on the rear and the computer will disable the AWD automatically.

 

I'll just get a 5th alloy that matches my winter wheels (which are plentiful on ebay, off the previous generation), keep that in and stick to 50 if I have to use it, until I can find an identical alloy. Not worth the hassle otherwise I think. Thanks for your input.

What are we calling expensive for a new alloy the same as yours?

It might be worth it, if it bothers you enough not to want a space saver?

Atleast then you could swap it over and not worry. Just get the nuts torqued.

The only thing different then would be tread wear, which you cant do much about tbf

£450 for ONE alloy. When the salesman came back with the price he said 'its a good job you're sat down' before he told me. Plus a tyre is about £150.

 

I have seen refurbs available from America for $150, but shipping is very expensive.

Christ. I see your problem.

Id drive at 50mph, stop off to get a big bag of haribo's and still be £597 better off aha.

Huskoda, 

if you post the Wheel Details, Style, Size etc, i will see if i can find you a wheel.

 

I know a Man that Can at a big Subaru Dealership, & at an Auto Repairer,

if there is a car being Broken, or 'Take Offs', they might know.

 

george

Ooh, that would be great, thanks. I don't mind if its kerbed/scraped as long as it is safe to use.

 

18x7J, 5x100, ET48, 56.1 bore.

 

I know one part number for it is ALY98679U45.

 

 

For price comparison, I paid £103 delivered for four 17" alloys from the previous generation for my winter set.

Are you sure it's 5x100 and not 5x114.3?

Yes it is 114.3

 

EDIT< Doh, Sorry,

showing 5 x 100 right enough.

 

??

Is it for a 2013 / 2014 Forester?

Yep, its a MY2014 Forester and they're definately 5x100, as I've dry fit the 5x100 alloys I got for the winter set Only Impreza STIs have the larger bolt pattern.

I would also have a word with the insurance people, some can be awkward about non standard wheels being used. eg the ones that were on it when it was new.