Let me start with this: I'm in Albequerque NM en route to Phoenix. It's 400 miles away. My rear tires are bald; the right more than the left. It got so that I could see steel on the right prompting me to change one of the fronts for the R rear and to put the spare up front. Fine. So then I start calling around for a set of 255/35/18 tires...no luck. No chance for at least 3 days. Crap. So I start asking the tire people how many miles can I go on that little spare? I get answers ranging from 20 to 300 miles. Does anyone out there have an answer more concrete than that? The S2000 manual doesn't say anything about mile limits, only that I shouldn't o any faster than 50mph. Help!

 

Well, at least you did the right thing putting the spare on the front, not the rear.

I think you're fine, bubba. Keep the speed down. The risk of mechanical damage is only if you use the spare in the rear, where the diff can possibly get damaged over time because your tires would be of different diameters. With your front tire in use in the rear, the tire diameters should be the same back there.

The car will probably not handle well with the spare in the front, due to reduced contact patch and smaller tire diameter. Just drive carefully.

 

I believe that in the owners manual they state 50 mi. I could be wrong as its been a long time since I read the manual

 

Call Jim @ TireRack and have him drop ship you a set to a local tire shop.

 

In my opinion, your set-up is for an emergency so that you can get where your going within a short distance. The 3 different size tires can't be good for the differential not to mention that it could make the handling dangerous. Change it ASAP.

 

I agree with Chazmo in general. If you want to be absolutely sure that the diff will be okay, you can swap front and rear tires on the other side, too. That way, you have identical front tires on both sides at the rear. (I must admit I'm not sure about front fender clearance with a rear tire installed, but I should think it's okay.)

 

I actually don't think you can mount the rear wheel at the front, dhayner -- too wide. I'm not sure, though. I've never actually tried it.

The thing with the spare is to make sure it's being used in the front. In bubba's case, since he blew a rear tire, that meant he had to swap the front tire on that side to the rear and then mount the spare. This is the correct procedure.

As for driving this way for a few hundred miles... Well, honestly I wouldn't be any more scared doing than than driving with tires that are worn down to the belts in the first place. Not to pick on bubba too much, that is dangerous.

 

To answer my original question: The spare tire on the front can go at least 480 miles without any problems.

 

Glad you made it home, bubba. Now break out the wallet and get some good tires on your sled, dude.

 

I had a pair of PZero Nero's just installed. All is well and right in the world.