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