Author Topic: Spare tyre different size is it safe?  (Read 2263 times)

Offline lighters

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Spare tyre different size is it safe?
« on: 14 June 2014, 17:24 »
Golf GTI MK4 1.8t

I have 225/45/17 tyres on and only just noticed my spare is different. I am aware you can use space savers etc but his is just another wheel.

The spare is 205/55/16

Is it safe and suitable to use as a spare should I ever need it?

Offline Jarrold06

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Re: Spare tyre different size is it safe?
« Reply #1 on: 14 June 2014, 17:28 »
Spares a spares mate if need to use it use it just don't go driving mad on it as they different sizes it's not unsafe to use it for a while

Offline lighters

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Re: Spare tyre different size is it safe?
« Reply #2 on: 14 June 2014, 17:40 »
Thanks for the quick reply, didnt know if the massive size different would be ok to drive on.

Offline Jarrold06

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Re: Spare tyre different size is it safe?
« Reply #3 on: 14 June 2014, 17:42 »
It's ok to get around I wouldn't advise it like that for long tho

Offline Rhyso

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Re: Spare tyre different size is it safe?
« Reply #4 on: 14 June 2014, 18:17 »
Rolling radius is nigh on identical

Just dont drive it like you stole it and you'll be fine  :smiley:

Offline Scottymk4

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Re: Spare tyre different size is it safe?
« Reply #5 on: 15 June 2014, 15:30 »
I got  told by garage not to run my car with a 16 when the rest are 17's

Offline Bandit127

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Re: Spare tyre different size is it safe?
« Reply #6 on: 15 June 2014, 17:15 »
Your ESP light might come on of you do have to use it. Temporarily to get you to a place that can replace/repair the original.

If it bothers you that much and you are handy with ebay why not but a ropey 17" for your spare and sell the 16" once you are sorted. It might cost you nothing by the end of it.


Offline dom

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Re: Spare tyre different size is it safe?
« Reply #7 on: 15 June 2014, 18:11 »
Rolling radius is nigh on identical

Just dont drive it like you stole it and you'll be fine  :smiley:

What Rhys said, the rolling radius of each tyre is pretty much identical so it'll be fine to run it temporarily.

Offline Dizzie

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Re: Spare tyre different size is it safe?
« Reply #8 on: 17 June 2014, 11:20 »
I ran my 205/55/16 spare for a week when I usually run 225/40/18's with no problems.

Kinda forgot I had it on when I exceeded the speed limit. No handling issues really. Obviously don't throw it into B roads too fast and all will be fine.
Mk4 Golf 150PD

Offline Wayne

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Re: Spare tyre different size is it safe?
« Reply #9 on: 17 June 2014, 13:02 »
It will be fine, I had a 16" spare on the Octavia and ran 18"s all ok