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We've replaced our Ford Fiesta's low profile tyres with smaller steel spare wheels - is this ok for long-term use?

My daughter's 2008 Ford Fiesta came with alloy wheels and low profile tyres. These look great and make for superb handling on smooth roads, but after the bad winter and the resulting potholes she has had eight punctures. We decided to fit steel wheels in place of the alloys and got four steel wheels from Gateway. When these wheels arrived, all with good tyres on, we noticed they were all spare wheels. After having them fitted I have been told once by a tyre fitter and once by a Ford salesman that these spare wheels are not suitable for long-term use. Nobody can tell me why they are not suitable. Have you heard of any reason why this might be the case?

Asked on 12 May 2011 by BJ, Dundee.

Answered by Honest John
Fiesta wheel sizes are as follows: 14-inch steel wheels with 175/65 R14 tyres, 15-inch steel or alloy wheels with 195/60 R15 tyres, 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/45 R16 tyres and 17-inch alloy wheels with 205/40 R17 tyres. The optional spare wheel is 5.5 x 14-inch with a 175/65 R14 tyre. So the 'spare' wheel size should equate to the first on the list. But you will need different wheel bolts, as the shoulders are different for steel wheels.

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