Spare Wheel problem

[Suzac]

At the beginning of August I purchased a 2006 Mondeo 2.0 Zetec as I had been pleased with the previous Mondeo a 2001 LX which had done 110K so I thought it was about time to upgrade. Unlike the previous car the new one has alloy wheels but at the time of purchase didn't realise that the car was supplied with an "emegency" spare which is smaller than the fitted wheels. As I didn't fancy towing the caravan with this spare, particularly on the continent I asked my garage to obtain a full sized steel spare. This they did from a local car breakers for £45, unsued wheel with a decent tyre. Today I tried to swap the spare tyres but found that the well of the car boot is not deep enough to take the standard steel wheel. The wheel protrudes approx. 1" above the boot floor level meaning that the carpet won't fit flush in the boot. Also the plastic moulding etc holding the car jack etc is now the wrong shape and if I try to fit this back in it makes the matter even worse. Anyone else had the same problem and know of a way to sort it out?

 

[ANN_374233635]

Hi Chris

we bought a Golf GT which had a "skinny" spare as standard, but told dealer we wanted a full size spare; it was delivered with the standard wheel, as their sales director said it would protrude above the wheel well and would reduce boot capacity. After reminding him of the agreement, the dealer got an upholstery firm to make a new "floor" from very dense foam, covered this with fabric, then put the modified boot carpet on top. Works a treat.

Hope this helps.

Ann & John

 

[Suzac]

Think I can get over the carpet problem by putting in a layer of expanded polystrene but not sue about scissor jack etc. Need to put the wheel in upside down to accomodate the jack in the hollow of the wheel but the bracket welded on the floor of the well into which the securing bolt is screwed is wider than the central hole of the wheel and therefore won't fit down flush.Don't want the wheel or jack bouncing around in the well.

 

[Mikey1]

Even getting a skinny spare wheel will be a bonus soon as most manufacturers will be providing a bottle of gel sealant!

 

[Guest]

There has been discussion about the 'skinny' spare wheels and whether you can tow with them or not. The consensus from manufacturers is that yes, you can tow provided you do not exceed the speed limits detailed. It is also recommended you get it changed back to the original wheel as soon as possible.

Whether that would justify towing the outfit back across France is debateable, but if I had to, then i would do it, but going carefully. but I suspect I would soon 'chicken out' and just buy a new tyre for the normal wheel. For up to a couple of hundred pounds it is worth it. But do remember the tyre fitted to the spare is not substandard, merely smaller and so is designed to take the load, as it can fit the front where the engine weight is high, but is not recommended for high speeds.

 

[Guest]

My other comment is that 'Chris' has spent

 

[vernon]

I didn't like the idea of towing with the "skinny" spare on my Tiguan. I found a used one full size alloy one on eBay for