Our Mk2 Focus has alloy wheels (as standard) with (I think) 205/55 R16 tyres. The car (as standard) comes with a space saver tyre, however the original purchaser opted for the normal sized (steel-wheel) spare which has the same size tyre as on other wheels. I thought it was good to have a full size spare as it would mean we could keep going at normal speeds etc if we had to fit it - not stuck at 50mph on the motorway with everyone being surprised at you being so slow.
However, the spare wheel has a round yellow sticker on it saying 80kph (50mph) max - which is the same as for a space saver. In the manual it states that if any of the wheels are different, then you must keep to
50mph max, use wheel for as short a period of time as possible etc. I can only assume that it includes the rim type as well as the tyre sizes.It also later states that you should use the correct nuts for the type of wheel - but adds that alloy wheel nuts can be used on steel wheels for up to 2 weeks (doesn't sound that short a period really).
So, can anyone give me some advice as to what the purpose of a full-size spare is, if the manufacturer of the car then says (and puts a sticker on it) that you cannot go faster that 50mph? Why might this be? Seems we'd be better off with a space saver if that's the case?
Finally - would any of you, using a full size steel wheel spare on a car with alloy wheels, actually stick to the 50mph limit? Just curious.
Thanks
David