I need to have my rear left wheel repaired and I plan to remove it and cart it over the shop and leave my S2000 in the garage. I would like to put the temporary spare tire in the left rear position so I don't have to leave the car on a jack for an extended period of time.

I know I'm not supposed to do this due to possible damage to the rear differential, but if I don't drive or otherwise move the S2000, is there any damage that can occur? Or should I just move the front to the rear and put the spare in the front?

 

there shouldn't be any problems.

then again, I was in a hurry when I had a nail in my rear tire, and it slipped my mind about putting the spare on the rear wheel. I drove it lightly for about 5 miles at 30mph or less, and my rear diff is still fine.

 

i drove for almost a week with mine on the rear with no problems. that was... 10 or 15k miles ago?

leaving it in the garage shouldn't do anything at all to your diff...

 

Mine was lowered too much to use it

 

I believe it does 'damage' to the rear diff due to the type of diff we have. we have the torsen geared diff, so if we have mismatched sizes of rear tires it 'binds' and always tries to give the wheels same amount of torque = one side dragging/one side pulling

correct me if im wrong, someone
-edit-
forgot to anwer your question:

so basically, setting it on the rear without moving the car shouldnt damage the diff @ all..

 

You'll be fine. Just don't drive all over town or hit the Interstate with the doughnut on the rear.

 

It is fine for short-term use, hence the term "temporary spare".

 

Honda recommends you put a front wheel and tire on the rear, and the spare on the front if you have a problem with a rear tire.

I don't think you will cause damage with minimal use, but it's so simple to make the appropriate swap, I would be inclined to do it before moving. If you're just sitting in the driveway, don't waste your time.

 

you're correct. I noticed it gets a little squirrely in back when you're moving from a stop. and that was light on the throttle.

I'm fairly certain while it may easily cause damage, honda has that statement as a fail-safe for idiots who might drive the car normal while the spare is on the back.

I've heard of and read stories about people messing up their diff, tho. I guess I was lucky

 

I think it's half because they want to limit damage to the diff, and half because a lot of drivers can't keep the rear wheels planted with 245s, much less a freakin donut.