Update on: Legal Spare Wheels for use with 18" alloys
update on 18” wheel / tyre and spare wheel issue
1. The wheels Rolling Circumference (R.C.) must be close to those of the existing tyres. How close is an issue that I spent a lot of time researching but getting no clear answers on. Space saver wheels for short term use are allowed on vehicles under English Law (See DVLA website), and these wheels are thiner and usually have a smaller R.C. than the original spec’. (a 2% difference in R.C. - what you might need to accommodate for in a California - for would be acceptable by most reckonings). Such wheels are only allowable for “emergency use” and not longer. I read about a case where someone got a fine for leaving the space saver wheel on for a weekend and not going straight to the garage(!)
2.The driving characteristics of the spare will differ, so care should be taken when using it, however if you treat it as a space saver and don’t exceed 50mph, you should be fine (according to three separate independent specialist / professionals)
3. For a 140 California, you can use a 16 wheel with a 215 / 65 tyre. This has a rolling circumference of 2154.82 within about 4mm of the 255 / 45 18” The 205 / 65 16” tyre is within 2% of this figure at 2113.98mm You can also use a 17’ wheel / tyre.
For 180 California you will need to use a 17” wheel, finding a tyre to bring it to within 2% of the R.C. of your 18” tyre. The 17” wheel allows for the extra bulk of the back brakes on the 180.
5. If you don’t have one, you will need to buy a spare wheel bracket kit for the van As outlined elsewhere on this forum. Depending on the tyre you have specified, you will need to buy the correct metal spacers and rubber sleeves. For the 205 tyre, you don’t need spacers or sleeves. Larger sizes will need both but make sure you specify the right length spacers, as the VW franchise will order them in specially for you but won’t take them back into stock if you want to swap (...yes hard earned experience) I have fitted the kit and wheel . It is easy and takes about 10 mins
![Screen Shot 2013-03-15 at 08.48.58.png Screen Shot 2013-03-15 at 08.48.58.png](https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/data/attachments/0/670-9bbc669aa69f7622c4c8456e37ecb31c.jpg)