Different tyre sizes on the same axle

Different tyre sizes on the same axle

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Steve vRS

Original Poster:

5,222 posts

256 months

Wednesday 5th January 2022
quotequote all
My girlfriends Micra needs a new rear tyre due to a puncture. It is a 165 70 R14. She is using the space saver at the moment but I don't want her driving on the motorway with it.

My lad's Corsa has a 185 70 R14 full size spare tyre and the car is not being used whilst he is at University. What would the implications be of running that wheel on the rear axle of the Micra when the other wheel is the original, slightly smaller diameter tyre?

I am getting a new Micra tyre but I can either pay £85 for one today or £45 for one on Friday.

mmm-five

11,762 posts

299 months

Wednesday 5th January 2022
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Assuming the offset & bolt spacing is compatible in the first place...then your girlfriend is probably on a dodgy wicket with the incorrectly-sized tyre instead of driving at the 50mph space-saver speed limit...as the 185/70r14 has a diameter of about 1" more than the 165/70r14.

Can your girlfriend use your lad's Corsa for a couple of days instead - or swap both rear wheels instead.

Edited by mmm-five on Wednesday 5th January 14:59

InitialDave

13,291 posts

134 months

Wednesday 5th January 2022
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I think the Corsa has a smaller wheel centre bore, so you may be out of luck anyway.

But if the wheels did fit, I wouldn't do it.


Steve vRS

Original Poster:

5,222 posts

256 months

Wednesday 5th January 2022
quotequote all
Thanks all.

I think I'll just bite the bullet and pay the extra to get the correct wheel on sooner.

stevieturbo

17,771 posts

262 months

Wednesday 5th January 2022
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you'd probably find some wheels/tyres locally on FB marketplace or gumtree to do in meantime

stevemcs

9,462 posts

108 months

Wednesday 5th January 2022
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Odd size tyres on the same axle is also an mot failure

vikingaero

11,925 posts

184 months

Thursday 6th January 2022
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A few days? Someone at work has had a space saver fitted to the front axle of his car for TWO years. He says it's OK as he live 1.5 miles from work...

Smint

2,373 posts

50 months

Thursday 6th January 2022
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Ring round some other tyre places, someone will have a decent tyre at a sensible price to fit immediately.
If no joy post on local faceache or whatever its called today for a full sized correct wheel and tyre, always handy to have a full sized spare lurking about even if you do have a space saver.

I'm really not keen on using a space saver for anything other than getting home, and i definately wouldn't be using a tyre 2 sizes larger.

sam hill

7 posts

42 months

Thursday 6th January 2022
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vikingaero said:
A few days? Someone at work has had a space saver fitted to the front axle of his car for TWO years. He says it's OK as he live 1.5 miles from work...
Presumably he doesn't bother with MOT's then?