Driving on a spare tire

Grundlestiltskin

So Audi really shit the bed on me. I ordered a new front left tire to replace the spare I was using last week, they told me it'd be here by mid-week this week. All this week I've been operating under the assumption that I'd have my tire and, as such, would have my car to drive the roughly 340 miles round trip to Williamstown, MA this weekend. As of today, they still don't have it, and now I don't have a ride.

The tire currently on my car is a normal driving tire, the same size as the other 3 but a different brand (Dunlap vs. Kumho). Assuming I drive very slowly and carefully, am I running that high a risk by driving on the spare? I just don't really have a lot of options right now.

Aurin

You should be fine, just take it easy while you're driving. If it was a donut (teeny tiny tire) then you'd probably have issues.

Grundlestiltskin

Just to add, I've probably driven about 150-200 miles on the spare so far. It's held up admirably, and seems to be happier since I got my alignment fixed.

Does anyone else have experience with this sort of thing?

BlochWave

Err, if your spare is a full size normal tire, it should be just as good as a full size normal tire >_>

just make sure it's aired up

Scooter

I don't know much about tires, but I'd assume a full size tire is as good as a normal one.

Thanatos

Full-size spare is just as good as a normal tire.

KMFurDM

Was this tire ordered through the dealer?

If so...for future reference, never, never, ever order a tire through the dealer. More often than not it results in raping of your wallet or worse.

Idx86

Best practices for spare tire is that you shouldn't drive more than 50 - 55 MPH on it and not to rely on it as a full time tire (for obvious reasons). I think you'll be ok, just watch your speed and be careful.

Grundlestiltskin

KMFurDM wrote: »

Was this tire ordered through the dealer?

If so...for future reference, never, never, ever order a tire through the dealer. More often than not it results in raping of your wallet or worse.

It was. They're charging me $200 for the tire and the install (including a wheel balancing). The best price for the tire I could find online was $150, so I'm not that upset about paying them $50 extra to put it on there. I am, however, upset that their inability to get a tired delivered in a week is interfering with my weekend plans. I should be compensated for that =P

Grundlestiltskin

Hm well fuckall, I've found it for $120 with a $15 shipping fee and 2 day shipping. I should just call Audi and tell them to suck my balls and keep the tire.

Edit: Could I even do that? I haven't paid for the tire, but hypothetically they ordered it 8 days ago...

KMFurDM

Sure you can. Just tell them to not bother.

If you found the tire on Tirerack or something just get it shipped to a local shop and get it installed there. It will probably run you 25 to 30 dollars a wheel for installation.

Lord Yod

If your spare is the same size/tread as the others, you'll be fine.

A lot of Audi's have all-wheel-drive, if the tread is different on one tire and you go driving in the rain or something, things can get a little wonky, but you should be okay.

I wouldn't go on a 300+ mile trip without a spare, though.

Thanatos

Grundlestiltskin wrote: »

Hm well fuckall, I've found it for $120 with a $15 shipping fee and 2 day shipping. I should just call Audi and tell them to suck my balls and keep the tire.

Edit: Could I even do that? I haven't paid for the tire, but hypothetically they ordered it 8 days ago...

They told you it'd be in by Friday, it wasn't. Tell them to fuck off, and if they get pissed, point this out to them.