OK to replace donut spare with different size?

Several months ago I removed the floor panel in the cargo area of my 1996
SW1 in order to check my spare tire pressure. To my shock, I discovered the
treads and sidewalls to be shreaded. Apparently the tire had exploded at
some point in the compartment.



I went to Jack Furrier Western Tire Center for a replacement. They mounted
a used T135/80R14 97M tire on the wheel, because they had no T115/70R14 88M
(specs of the original donut spare). The 18-yr old clerk told me this was
an acceptable substitute.



Long story short, I didn't have time to shop around, since that same day I
had to make a 500mile trip to a different state where I was to work for the
summer. I figured a tire of any kind was better than nothing.



Is this tire an acceptable substitute? I'm not an expert on tires, but I do
know that there are limits to tire and wheel interchangeability. By the
way, my regular tires are P185/65R-14 85S, and not the original P175/70R14
84T, if that affects the equation at all.



I also discovered that the replacement tire is a tight fit in the spare tire
compartment; in fact, it leaves no room for the jack, which I'm now storing
behind the front seat. But this is more of an annoyance than a real
problem. My main concern is that when I inevitably get a flat and have to
use my donut spare, no damage to the car or serious handling problems
results.



Comments appreciated.



Ethan

 

Shouldn't be a problem even if you do have to use it. You will experience a
difference in handling and it will cause problems if left on too long. That
is why the donuts usually say on them not to travel more than 50 mph or
further than 50 miles. In my younger days I used VW donuts on an Omni (blew
out both rear tires, don't ask), and an escort donut on a K-car.
You just have to remember that it is an emergency fix to get you to a
service station for repair or replacement of your flat regular tire. I see
way to many cars with donuts on them parked at the mall while people are
running errands (even my boss had one on for three days before she finally
went in for repair)