A potentially daft question about spare tyre

[GrantS]

I purchased a used approved Fabia Elegance about nearly three years ago. It's time to renew the front tyres so I thought I'd check the spare at the same time. I knew that it had a full size spare rather than a space saver or foam kit. Anyway, it does indeed have a full size spare but it's an entirely different tyre to the ones on the vehicle. The vehicle has lower profile 205/45/R16 tyres but the spare is 195/45/R15 - could I even fit it in an emergency to get to me to the nearest tyre repairer? I've read that you can't mix tyres. I realise it may be a daft question but I'd appreciate advice.

[Gizmo]

This is why they place the 50MPH limit stickers on the wheels, it’s perfectly OK as a spare (to get the punctured tyre repaired or replaced, but not OK to run around on for a few weeks!) 

[mrgf]

That MAY be wrong!  A space-saver will almost certainly have the same outer diameter as the ordinary wheel, therefor making it legal. The tyre you have, may be a different diameter, making it illegal.  If I am correct, the 205 or 195 part of the tyre code refers to the breadth of the tyre, in mm. The 45 code you quoted in both tyres is the tyre profile or depth of the tyre, as a percentage. The final number, 16 or 15, depending on the tyre you refer to, will be the total hight of the rim, the tyre will fit. (A 16 inch or a 15 inch wheel rim).  So straight away, the spare tyre is a different size wheel, which will be the same for a spacesaver but the percentage stays the same as the fitted wheels. Without doing the maths and seeing as the wheels are different sizes but the percentage figure is identical at 45, I doubt they would match. I forget how the measurement is made, it may be 45% of the tyres breadth so 45% of 205 and then 45% of 195. Thats not gonna end up the same figure... You will also need to calculate the wheel size difference. Then, you should have the same size tyres on the same axle anyway. The space-saver is a loophole to the law that enables you to fit it in a temporary capacity, for short distances at lower speeds (As mentioned by Gizmo).  I very much doubt the man with the flashing blue lights will see a "Normal" Wheel, acting as the spare, as anything other then an infringement of the law. If it is a Skoda wheel, it may well fit on AND get you home, etc but to be honest, I wouldn't chance it! I would rather do a temporary repair and get that sorted later.

Space-savers themselves, USED to be illegal until the rules were relaxed to accommodate. 

Sell the wheel and get a proper matching one.

 

BTW, Not a silly question at all.... If there is room for doubt, there is room to question. Some people have a massive automotive databank of knowledge and others have very limited knowledge. This is why forums such as this exist. To help and re-assure others who may need help. Never feel daft in trying to expand your knowledge.

Edited 15 April, 2018 by mrgf

[Ootohere]

An emergency / temporary tyre.

195/55 R 15 the spare in cars with 205/40 R 17 Directional tyres.

 

Be aware you need to go slow, different weight, tread, compound and slightly different circumference, and you might not know the Spare pressure.

You have no idea if it is even balanced until you put it on and drive with it, unless you get it balanced.

Universally Spares are often different from the other 4 tyres, even if just unused so 'Green'.

& if the front and rears are 2 different matching pairs or directional you need 2 spares carried.

http://kouki.co.uk/utilities/visual-tyre-size-calculator 

 

Not many with a front puncture bother to move a rear tyre to the front and then put the spare on the back, or have anything other than a jack and a wheel brace anyway.

Edited 15 April, 2018 by Offski

[mrgf]

I think opinion is going to differ here quite a bit... I would either check with a main dealer or better still, a tyre specialist to see. Perhaps even, an MOT tester will advise but honestly, I would steer clear of using it without checking first. It will most likely DO the job but remember, defective tyres ARE licence endorsing items. If it turns out NOT to be safe, you risk ponts and a fine, along with higher insurance premiums, ALL of which, pale into insignificance, compared to hurting someone in an accident!

[skidpan]

Our Superb has 215 55 17 tyres on the 4 roadwheels. The "full size spare" is actually referred to as a "temporary spare" and is a 205 55 16. Its a smaller diameter than the other 4 and the handbooks says it should only be fitted to the rear and used at speeds up 50 mph (as per the sticker). Still prefer it to a bike tyre, at least it looks safe. Keep meaning to swap the tyre to a 215 60 16 which has the same diameter (its fitted to the "S" models).

 

The Fabia we have on order has 215 45 16 on the road wheels. The "full size spare" is again a "temporary spare" and is a 185 65 14. The diameter is virtually the same as the other 4 but its still has a sticker because the law says that tyres on the same axles should b the same size, any difference and its 50 mph max. No idea if its restriced to the rear, will find out when the car arrives and I read the handbook.

[GrantS]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. The car will be at the dealership soon for its MOT and I shall ask the question. If I get a puncture in the interim, I think I shall just call my breakdown cover company. Thanks again!

[Ootohere]

That 195/45 R 15 tyre is too small really,  no idea where someone got that.   The Fabia Mk2 Spare is usually 195/55 R 15.

 

The Spare wheel is not part of a MOT and one is not required.

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/383335-skoda-fabia-spare-wheel 

Edited 17 April, 2018 by Offski

[rum4mo]

As Offski said, I would think that spare tyre size is either wrong or the OP has not given us the correct data from that tyre - or that is not what Skoda placed in that boot.   I'd always expect that where a "non skinny" space saver is supplied by a manufacturer, it will be a wheel from lower down the range as long as that fits over the factory brakes - ie it will have either a slightly bigger or slightly smaller rolling radius so essentially it will match the other wheels on that car.

 

From what some people have posted, that does not seem to be what is happening, which is strange when referring to "full size" spare wheels, skinny space savers can and some times do have a smaller rolling radius - which is accepted as being as good as it gets for cars that end up with that sort of spare!

[KenONeill]

I'm even more confused, because my Octy came (ex works) with 4 off 6.5Jx16 alloys, and a same size steel, all fitted with the same 205/55R16W size tyres.

[Ootohere]

^^^ Did it have a 'Speed warning' sticker on it,

and would you slow down anyway just because it was on a different weight steel rim, new tread / green,  and would you have check the tyre pressure of the spare before driving off with it?

[rum4mo]

2 hours ago, KenONeill said:

I'm even more confused, because my Octy came (ex works) with 4 off 6.5Jx16 alloys, and a same size steel, all fitted with the same 205/55R16W size tyres.

 

I think that there might just be a unit(car) cost thing going on there at times - as well as what size the front discs are. My old 2000 VW Passat came like that, my wife's old 2002 VW Polo came with 15" alloys and a correct sized 14" steel spare, my daughter's late 2009 Ibiza came with 17" alloys (factory option) and a correct sized 14" steel spare, and my wife's 2015 VW Polo came with 16" alloys and a correct sized 15" steel spare.

 

My use of the term "correct sized" means same rolling radius as other road wheels. 

The smaller steel spare wheels will always be limited in size to what brakes are fitted to that car, that will be why the late 2009 Ibiza with its 256mm front discs gets supplied with a 14" steel spare whereas the 2015 Polo with its 288mm front brakes gets supplied with a 15" wheel.

 

Edit:- I'd guess that if you had spec'd that Octy with 17" alloys from factory, it would still come with the same spare wheel as you have with the 16" alloys.

Edited 18 April, 2018 by rum4mo

[skidpan]

In my experience spares fell into 3 categories, full size, temporary or space saver.

 

Full size is obvious, it a tyre and rim identical in size and material to the other 4. Last 3 I can recollect are 2 Escorts and a Bluebird. Can be fitted anywhere.

 

Space saver is obvious, a bike tyre on a narrow rim. Max speed specified on the wheel and max distance specified in the handbook. Had them on 3 Golfs, a Polo, 2 Micras. Should go on a non driven hub.

 

Temporary spare is a mixture. On a Mondeo and a Puma it was a full size tyre on a steel rim with a speed restriction sticker. That is because the law requires wheel on the same axle to be the same material.  Can be fitted anywhere. On the Superb the tyre is a 205 55 16 instead of the 215 55 17's with a  sticker on the rim not only because of the material but also because of the odd size tyre. Should be used on a non driven hub. But at least since these are proper tyres (unlike the space savers) there is no mileage restriction.

[mrgf]

From a driving test prospective, a non matched wheel and/or tyre, (Differing in size and speed limit)  Will be classed as unfit and therefor, the examiner will refuse to take you on test... Firstly, you cannot reach the maximum speed limit and secondly, safety and handling will be compromised.

[KenONeill]

@Offski - I always carry a foot pump and a BSI pressure gauge in the car.

 

@rum4mo - Was I not clear enough that all 5 wheels and tyres were the same size and speed rating? The point was that any marginal cost saving would result solely from the provision of a steel wheel for the spare (marginal cost because there's no need to factor in dealership spares costs and profit on factory spec). Also VAG 15" rims will go over my brakes.

[rum4mo]

50 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

@Offski - I always carry a foot pump and a BSI pressure gauge in the car.

 

@rum4mo - Was I not clear enough that all 5 wheels and tyres were the same size and speed rating? The point was that any marginal cost saving would result solely from the provision of a steel wheel for the spare (marginal cost because there's no need to factor in dealership spares costs and profit on factory spec). Also VAG 15" rims will go over my brakes.

 

As usual you don't seem to consider quoting any of your postings as being anything other than defiance or questioning your knowledge, all I was doing was opening up what you had reported on by adding in some of my experiences.

[KenONeill]

40 minutes ago, rum4mo said:

 

As usual you don't seem to consider quoting any of your postings as being anything other than defiance or questioning your knowledge, all I was doing was opening up what you had reported on by adding in some of my experiences.

OK, so what did quoting my posting add to your's then? I don't see that it added anything, unless you meant to question the statement made.

[rum4mo]

You made a new point in your posting that I quoted, which was to point out that your car, and so some cars come from factory with same tyres on all wheels, but the spare is a steel wheel - prior to this the general discussion was concerning "other" sizes for spares where a steel wheel and normal tyre were supplied from factory, that is all.

[NotQuiteAVrs]

On 4/18/2018 at 12:15, skidpan said:

Temporary spare is a mixture. On a Mondeo and a Puma it was a full size tyre on a steel rim with a speed restriction sticker. That is because the law requires wheel on the same axle to be the same material.  Can be fitted anywhere. On the Superb the tyre is a 205 55 16 instead of the 215 55 17's with a  sticker on the rim not only because of the material but also because of the odd size tyre. Should be used on a non driven hub. But at least since these are proper tyres (unlike the space savers) there is no mileage restriction.

 

On my SEAT Toledo (pretty much an Octavia Mk I VRS), I have a full size steel spare without a speed restriction sticker. If the spare is the same size and doesn't have a speed restriction sticker it's OK. I had a blowout the day before its MOT a couple of years ago, so rang in to check if I had to get it replaced before the MOT. The garage said it would get an advisory for it but would pass if the 12 year old tyre was fine. It passed with an advisory for "Offside Rear wheel steel not alloy".

[Ootohere]

Be aware that no 'Speed Limit Sticker' on a Spare Wheel does not mean do not use common sense about slowing down if fitted.

 

If you look on Ebay / Gumtree etc you will find the same Skoda / VW Spare wheels in 195/55 R 15 with a H speed rated tyre, some with Stickers and some without.

As it is people can remove a sticker from a wheel that had one, or the wheel might just not have had one.

Fabia's did come with 4 steel wheels fitted and one in the spare tyre well and 5 195/55 R 15 h rated tyres.

[mrgf]

Additionally, some manufacturers supply different wheel bolts to alloy wheels and steel wheels so this in its-self could be an issue. You will almost certainly have alloy bolts to drive around normally with but fit a replacement, temporary wheel and fit the alloy bolts and this may be a BIT riskier then usual.

[Ootohere]

But not Skoda, if there are OEM Alloys on the car and a steel wheel as a spare you use the OEM bolts holding on the alloys.

 

If you have aftermarket wheels / bolts on the car then you do need to give that a thought when fitting the steel wheel and if you need the OEM bolts.

[mrgf]

Yeah, I realise you USE the same bolts... My Toyota will do the same but if it has alloys, even DIFFERENT types of genuine alloys, if I remember correctly, they have different bolts to steel wheels. So the alloy bolts will suffice but are not correct for long term usage. This has nothing to do with aftermarket wheels as they are genuine Toyota alloys,  although replacement alloys will also be the same.  I think its the seating on the bolts that differs in some way. I mention it as sometimes, others have an interest and may drive other brands too. The information is relevant and transferable. I do acknowledge your point, though.

[GreenOcty1]

Wheel bolts tend to have either a flat or rounded profile to the taper for the surface that mates with the rim.

What the rim is actually made from doesn't matter as having the wrong bolt/rim combination will eventually cause a fatigue related failure due to the forces acting on a much reduced contact area.

 

[KenONeill]

As @GreenOcty1 says, whether or not you can use a dissimilar material full-size "spare" wheel long-term depends on the bolt and wheel lands being correct for each other.