I have a 2009 Ford Fusion Automatic with 1.6 engine, bought second hand a couple of years ago. The wheels are 15 inch alloys fitted with 195/60 R15 Hankook Optimo K406 tyres.

However, I decided today to check the spare wheel in the boot and that is a 14 inch steel wheel fitted with a Continental 175/65 R14 tyre, and it does not appear to be a space saver, although it does have the 80kp/h yellow sticker. This may not be the original spare wheel supplied.

Whilst the 4 stud bolts look the same spacing, my concern is that if I have to fit this spare wheel, being smaller than the other wheels, won't it cause steering problems etc?

Would it be better to buy a 15 inch steel wheel for the spare and have it fitted with exactly the same type of Hankook tyres as on the roadwheels?

It is the correct size spare. My dad has a Fusion & that is the spare it came with. It is only for temporary use so is fine to use provided you obey the speed restriction sticker attached to it.

It's always best to replace with a full size spare in my opinion. That way you won't be done for travelling on a motorway with them.

This is the correct spare wheel. Should you need to use it, it will probably be the front that has a puncture, as this is the first wheel in contact with debris, pot hole etc. Although a pain in the rear, it is best to bring a rear wheel to the front & use the spare on the back. This has several benefits, the first & most important, is that the handling & steering of the car is unaffected. Secondly, should you creep over the 80kmh advised speed limit, you will not have the affects & risk of sudden steering, braking, handling performance issues that could arise during motorway travel.

After striking a damaged road surface patch in Wales on a recent holiday, several motorists, including me were changing our wheels, when a rather pleasant RAC man advised us of the above. Driving all the way back to Huddersfield was fine. It took a week to repair my damaged alloy & now all is OK again.

Martin