Space Saver Wheel - Is my paranoia justified?

[Mountainman]

The 15" will still be regarded as a "temporary spare" and you'll be limited to 80kph. The tyre size will most likely be 195/60r15.

I think you'll find that is a 195/65 15 for the standard Golf size (been that way since the Mk5), which also keeps it to the same rolling circumference as the 205/55 16 (like I have optioned on my Golf) and the 225/45 17 on the Highline. I'm going to see if I can get a standard 16" steel wheel from a Jetta and run the 205/55 tyre that I have on the rest of the car. It has to be cheaper than the $680 Toronto 16" alloy that VW are asking. And I only intend taking it as an extra spare anyway when I do extended country driving. it still leaves enough room for our luggage and does give that extra peace of mind for not having to replace that tyre straight away.

[brad]

I think you'll find that is a 195/65 15 for the standard Golf size (been that way since the Mk5), which also keeps it to the same rolling circumference as the 205/55 16 (like I have optioned on my Golf) and the 225/45 17 on the Highline. I'm going to see if I can get a standard 16" steel wheel from a Jetta and run the 205/55 tyre that I have on the rest of the car. It has to be cheaper than the $680 Toronto 16" alloy that VW are asking. And I only intend taking it as an extra spare anyway when I do extended country driving. it still leaves enough room for our luggage and does give that extra peace of mind for not having to replace that tyre straight away.

I'm sure you're right.

The Octavia had 16x6.5 alloys with 205/55r16. The spare is a 16x6.5 steel wheel with 205/55r16. It still has a big yellow sticker saying "Temporary Spare - Speed Limited 80kph". It's crazy.

I'd still be searching for a set of alloys - you'll only pay $300-$600 with tyres.

[adhock]

I'm with Mountainman. Peace of mind when out of town, which the Spacesaver doesn't give. The tin rim will only go on the back, and it'd get me round until we get to a decent tyre dealer. Our previous mk 6 Golf had 16" alloys and a steel 16" spare, did a tyre round town (@#$% nails!) and the spare spent about a month on the back. No probs.

So a genuine VW rim with new Continental tyre for $150 suits me. Matching alloy would be nice, so would 17" rim and matching tyre, but not for the price. Maybe I can get a bit back for the spacesaver also....

[Diesel_vert]

General summary:

For the purposes of roadworthiness, a vehicle is required to have a matching wheel and tyre assembly for any given axle. Specifically:

- All tyres must be of the same construction (e.g. radial) and size.

- All rims must be of the same diameter, offset, width and mounting configuration.

There is a provision in the regulations where the above requirement does not apply to a wheel and tyre assembly that is only intended to be used in an emergency as a temporary replacement under restricted driving conditions.

Thus, any non-matching wheel and tyre assembly fitted on a given axle, in respect to the above requirements, is to be considered a temporary spare.

When any temporary spare is fitted, vehicle manufacturers will ordinarily restrict the operating speed (usually 80 km/h or 50 mph), irrespective of the tyre's actual speed symbol.

Always be mindful when driving on a temporary spare of any kind, adopt a more cautious driving style and use common sense, even in the absence of a yellow warning sticker.



For reference, rolling circumference figures for various tyres:

Standard fitment tyres for the Mk7 Golf:
195/65 R15 91H - 1937 mm
205/55 R16 91V - 1928 mm
225/45 R17 91W - 1934 mm
225/40 R18 92Y - 1943 mm
225/35 R19 88Y - 1955 mm*

T-type temporary tyres:
T 125/70 R16 96M - 1787 mm
T 125/70 R18 99M - 1943 mm

Alternative tyres:
235/45 R17 94W - 1964 mm
235/40 R18 91W - 1967 mm
235/35 R19 91Y - 1973 mm**

*Except for the Golf R.
**Factory option for the Golf R.



The distance one may drive with a temporary spare fitted on a vehicle is limited by its tread depth - this includes T-type temporary tyres.

Tread life is difficult to predict, but I would expect to be able to cover a distance of approximately 3 000 km on an unused T-type temporary tyre before reaching its tread depth limit, provided it is inflated at the correct pressure (usually 420 kPa or 60 psi).

The only proviso is that, in the interests of preserving the drivetrain, Volkswagen states never to drive further than 200 km with a temporary spare if it is fitted to the drive axle.

Do note the small, but crucial differences in rolling circumference, even between 'equivalent' sizes - hence the warning by Volkswagen on temporary spares (or any non-matching tyre size) fitted on a driven axle.

The Octavia had 16x6.5 alloys with 205/55r16. The spare is a 16x6.5 steel wheel with 205/55r16. It still has a big yellow sticker saying "Temporary Spare - Speed Limited 80kph". It's crazy.

The steel rim may have a different offset to that of the alloy rims fitted on the vehicle.

If that is not the case and the steel rim matches the dimensions of the alloy rim, my best guess is that Skoda decided to place the yellow warning sticker on every temporary spare on the production line for the sake of simplicity, rather than determine which model had which wheel and tyre wheel assembly and place the sticker accordingly.