Space saver spare - really?

[BenG]

OK, got a question.

My leon Mk 1 has a steel spare wheel labelled max. speed 80kph/50mph. However, the tyre fitted is a 205/55 section on a 16 inch wheel, which does not look like a space-saver spare to me (original wheels were 17", with 225/45 tyres, car is now fitted with 16" wheels and 205/55 tyres).

The tyre itself is a Conti *something*contact and does not appear to be any different from a 'normal' tyre.

Anyone got any idea why this is speed restricted. I could kind of see that it could be something to do with the spare being a different size to the original wheels, but now I've fitted 16" wheels it's the same size and tyre size/profile as the rest of the tyres.

Any reason I can't drive normally if I have to fit the spare??

 

[Bickerton]

Probably due to it won't match existing tyres on many cars

 

[BenG]

Probably due to it won't match existing tyres on many cars

Makes sense I guess, but now I'm running the same wheel diameter and tyre/prpfile as the spare I can't see any reason why i can't drive normally with the spare fitted, given that it's not a space-saver and seems to be fitted with a 'normal' tyre.

 

[cleverspoon]

If you peel the label off it de restricts the rim and you can drive at normal speeds