Question for Dwight /Von

[allaway]

I understand that tyres on the same axle have to be the same size. If i fit a space saver does that mean its illegal or is it just the overall depth of the wheel/ tyre combined that matters?

Edited by allaway on Tuesday 5th December 18:36

[vonhosen]

Fitting of a temporary use spare tyre to a passenger vehicle (not being a bus ), is exempt from Reg 26 (concerning different types of tyre being fitted on the same axle) unless it is driven at a speed exceeding 50 mph.

[gilbertd]

How about my case? The car has a set of 17" wheels with 215/40 x 17 tyres on, the spare is one of the original wheels with a 205/50 x 15. Rolling circumference is about the same and all tyres are radials (therefore same type) but a different size. Obviously I would only ever use the spare as a get me home measure, but am I limited to less than 50mph?

[Dwight VanDriver]

IIRC Con and Use does not mention wheel RIM sizes but at Reg 26 and 27 it does mention that tyre must be suitable having regard to the use to which the vehicle or trailer is being put OR TO THE TYPES OF TYRES fitted to its other road wheels. In use the spare must create an imbalance?

This does not apply if the wheel fitted with a temporary use spare tyre(TUST) and driven under 50mph.

But this is what your different sized spare is being used for so legal?

No. You cannot claim that.

TUST defined in the Regs

" a pnuematic tyre which is designed for use on a motor vehicle ONLY;
(a) in the evnt of the failure of one of the tyres normally fitted to a wheel of the vehicle, AND
(b) at a speed lower than that for which such normally fitted tyres are designed.

Another part of the Regs create the offence of using a vehicle on a road the parts and accessories in such condition as likely to cause danger.

Depends on the evidence at the time.

Whilst I guess that most of the time in use you will most likely get away with it but after a bump and a vehicle examination by Insurance Co that oddity could well play into their hands on a reduced claim? Is that worth it?

dvd

Edited by Dwight VanDriver on Thursday 7th December 15:21

[gilbertd]

Dwight VanDriver said:

IIRC Con and Use does not mention wheel RIM sizes but at Reg 26 and 27 it does mention that tyre must be suitable having regard to the use to which the vehicle or trailer is being put OR TO THE TYPES OF TYRES fitted to its other road wheels. In use the spare must create an imbalance?

Makes sense, and I think it would create an imbalance. Purely because the tyres aren't the exact same size. But it has made me think about my other car which has 185 section tyres on the front, 195 on the rear and a 185 on the spare. Seems I would be in the same situation if I got a rear puncture, even though I had fitted the spare supplied by the manufacturers?