Unidirectional Spare!?!
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Unidirectional Spare!?!
My 2001 Audi A4 QM has a full size spare on the same 10-spoke wheel as the other 4 tires. The funny thing about it is that the spare, like the other tires, is unidirectional and mounted to go on the passenger side. I better not get a flat on the driver's side!
What happens if I run it the wrong way for a while? I assume it isn't a problem for short "spare tire" distances.
What if I put winter tires on? Will it hurt the Quattro to have a different tire on one wheel until a flat tire is fixed?
What happens if I run it the wrong way for a while? I assume it isn't a problem for short "spare tire" distances.
What if I put winter tires on? Will it hurt the Quattro to have a different tire on one wheel until a flat tire is fixed?
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Re: Unidirectional Spare!?!
don't sweat it. like you said, it's only a spare. the unidirectional tread doesn't really matter at all for normal driving. If anything, they are there mostly to optimize the tire's wet weather properties.
The spare isn't a big deal when used with winter tires unless the rolling diameter is different when using different size tires. Same size tires or at least if the same rolling diameter is used (225/50/16=205/55/16), then no worries. Sure there will different degrees of traction between the spare summer tires and the winter tires but you wouldn't be pushing the car anyway in those cases.
The spare isn't a big deal when used with winter tires unless the rolling diameter is different when using different size tires. Same size tires or at least if the same rolling diameter is used (225/50/16=205/55/16), then no worries. Sure there will different degrees of traction between the spare summer tires and the winter tires but you wouldn't be pushing the car anyway in those cases.
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answers
your spare is a left side tire because that's where the curb is, and trust me, most flats happen curb side.
the tire's direction only affects the thread design, which is made for greater traction. Running it backwards for a short period of time won't be harmful since the tire has the same diameter either way and the drivetrain will rotate at the same rate. Just don't go autocross or make any 10hour road trips at 100mph.
the tire's direction only affects the thread design, which is made for greater traction. Running it backwards for a short period of time won't be harmful since the tire has the same diameter either way and the drivetrain will rotate at the same rate. Just don't go autocross or make any 10hour road trips at 100mph.
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