Spare wheel size - VW say NO
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2022 4:09 pm
I have a T Cross R line on 215/45/R18 wheels.
It came with a factory fitted spare wheel 205/55/R16.
I have on order an R Line VW Tiago (coupe version of the T Cross).
Built on the same platform, and I have added the same size 215/45/R18 wheels.
Part of the deal was that I could retain my existing spare, and the dealer keeps the tyre repair kit from the new car subject to compatibility. As the dealer had not received a demonstrator yet confirmation was not readily available.
I emailed VW customer services out of curiosity, but wished I hadn’t bothered.
They replied “Unfortunately we cannot comment on whether your T Cross space saver spare wheel (205/55/R16) is compatible with a Taigo that has 18" wheels.”……..
Not happy with this reply it got escalated to a Customer relations manager.
I asked why not? but got an equally vague reply so E mailed a director who passed it onto the Executive offIce.
They replied “The T-Cross and Taigo are both allowed to have a 205/60/R16 or a 205/55/R17 tyre. However they cannot have an 205/55/R16 tyre”.
Mmmm, so they supplied me with a spare that they will no longer allow on what is essentially an identical vehicle other than having a sloping roofline, and no one will tell me why not.
Whilst the 205/60/R16 is a nearer match, the 205/55/R16 still seems within the tolerance of 2.5 - 3%.
Do I add a spare to the factory order, or chance that the 205/55/R16 will suffice?
It came with a factory fitted spare wheel 205/55/R16.
I have on order an R Line VW Tiago (coupe version of the T Cross).
Built on the same platform, and I have added the same size 215/45/R18 wheels.
Part of the deal was that I could retain my existing spare, and the dealer keeps the tyre repair kit from the new car subject to compatibility. As the dealer had not received a demonstrator yet confirmation was not readily available.
I emailed VW customer services out of curiosity, but wished I hadn’t bothered.
They replied “Unfortunately we cannot comment on whether your T Cross space saver spare wheel (205/55/R16) is compatible with a Taigo that has 18" wheels.”……..
Not happy with this reply it got escalated to a Customer relations manager.
I asked why not? but got an equally vague reply so E mailed a director who passed it onto the Executive offIce.
They replied “The T-Cross and Taigo are both allowed to have a 205/60/R16 or a 205/55/R17 tyre. However they cannot have an 205/55/R16 tyre”.
Mmmm, so they supplied me with a spare that they will no longer allow on what is essentially an identical vehicle other than having a sloping roofline, and no one will tell me why not.
Whilst the 205/60/R16 is a nearer match, the 205/55/R16 still seems within the tolerance of 2.5 - 3%.
Do I add a spare to the factory order, or chance that the 205/55/R16 will suffice?