Different size rims on same axel

**Drogen24** · 8th November 2018, 17:11

I'm about to fit my new refurbed 17" alloys to replace my 16" steel wheels.
I hadn't put any consideration in to the fact that the spare wheel I've got is 16" so now I'm stuck. I can't find a 5 x 110 steel wheel in 17" so I think my options are to get another 17" alloy (which cost almost as much as a set and I'm not sure would fit in the boot) or to put the same size tyre on the 16" spare wheel.

Would the second option work, it obviously wouldn't be on the car for more than a week or so whilst the original is fixed but could I have a 215 50 17 on the same axel as a 215 50 16?

**bonehead** · 8th November 2018, 17:50

I have 235/35/19's on the snowflakes, the factory alloy, yet there's a space-saver in the boot.

if you HAVE to have the spare on, make sure it's on the back!

**puppet** · 8th November 2018, 17:59

Originally Posted by bonehead

I have 235/35/19's on the snowflakes, the factory alloy, yet there's a space-saver in the boot.

if you HAVE to have the spare on, make sure it's on the back!

+1 for this.

Best practice is if you get a puncture on the front, swap a correctly sized wheel from the rear to the front, and put the space saver/smaller wheel on the rear. Just keep your 16" spare and do this if required.

**autov** · 8th November 2018, 23:27

My 2008 1.9cdti sri estate has 17" alloys 215/50/17 as standard and it was supplied with a 15" space saver ( it's madness ). On the estate you can't fit a fullsized 17" alloy in the wheel well so as i had a vectra B as well which had a full size 16" spare with a 195/?/16 i tried this on front and back wheels and it's a very good fit both in tyre height and offset and clears the standard front brake caliper.Also as a added bonus it just about fits in the estates wheel well. If i were you i would look online at the tyre heights charts and fit a tyre to your 16" steel rim that is closest to your 17" tyres in height.I think it should fit in your wheel well ok if yours is a hatchback.

**Big Dave** · 9th November 2018, 14:06

Remember that the sole purpose of a space saver is to get you to the nearest garage to enable you to get the damaged tyre repaired or replaced. It is not meant to be used as an everyday wheel and tyre.

You should also moderate your driving style and not go above 50 mph while the SS is fitted.

**autov** · 10th November 2018, 23:07

[QUOTE=Big Dave;2505268]Remember that the sole purpose of a space saver is to get you to the nearest garage to enable you to get the damaged tyre repaired or replaced. It is not meant to be used as an everyday wheel and tyre.

You should also moderate your driving style and not go above 50 mph while the SS is fitted.[/QUOTE

Thats how it should be with a ss but how many have i seen being thrashed on front axels ,loads . My thoughs are i would sooner run with my 16" full size on a wet sunday night 300 mls from home and fully loaded ,running at moderate speeds rather than a 110 15" ss and trying to find a tyre fitters that is open in a unknown part of the world. What gets me is many cars can carry a full size wheel in the wheel well or cradle but are supplied with a ss.

**fatfred** · 11th November 2018, 01:14

Buy a new car!. Spend 26 K and get a tin of f ing spray. ...

**Big Dave** · 12th November 2018, 11:54

Originally Posted by autov

What gets me is many cars can carry a full size wheel in the wheel well or cradle but are supplied with a ss.

People want cheaper road tax and also weight saving, which is why the manufacturers fit SS's in the boot, or even a can of glue and a mini compressor (or so they tell us).

**simon194** · 12th November 2018, 14:45

[QUOTE=autov;2505314]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Remember that the sole purpose of a space saver is to get you to the nearest garage to enable you to get the damaged tyre repaired or replaced. It is not meant to be used as an everyday wheel and tyre.

You should also moderate your driving style and not go above 50 mph while the SS is fitted.[/QUOTE

Thats how it should be with a ss but how many have i seen being thrashed on front axels ,loads . My thoughs are i would sooner run with my 16" full size on a wet sunday night 300 mls from home and fully loaded ,running at moderate speeds rather than a 110 15" ss and trying to find a tyre fitters that is open in a unknown part of the world. What gets me is many cars can carry a full size wheel in the wheel well or cradle but are supplied with a ss.

My sentiments exactly. The guy that owned my car before me threw out the space saver and replaced it with a 16" steely.

**autov** · 14th November 2018, 23:11

People may want cheaper ved but i don't think anyone thinks about how heavy the car is when there looking to buy.So why did GM fit 15" spacesavers to both of our vectra c designs with 16" alloys when you could fit a full size 16" steel wheel in.? Probably because they could ,it is cheaper ( more profit ) ,they could because there allowed to ( theres no law against it) .But why have a large wheel well that takes a full size wheel when your only going to supply a ss ? probably because in some countries you have to have a full size wheel.

Originally Posted by Big Dave

People want cheaper road tax and also weight saving, which is why the manufacturers fit SS's in the boot, or even a can of glue and a mini compressor (or so they tell us).