How to Buy a Spare Wheel (Identification)

Last modified on June 5th, 2025

Most vehicles don’t come with a spare wheel these days. When new, there may be an option to have one fitted in the boot (trunk). Many spare wheels are now classed as ‘Space Savers’. These often have a smaller width than the wheels fitted as standard. Plus, there is not always space to carry a spare, (you’ll need to check in your boot or trunk?).

I’m puzzled why spares aren’t supplied with a new vehicle? Tires still get punctures. Potholes can cause damage to tires and these are on the increase? I presume it’s a cost saving scheme from the manufacturer’s perhaps?

The information in the article below will help anyone trying to identify what spare wheel they may need for their vehicle. Without having to get a ‘direct from the manufacturer’s’ replacement.

Topics:

• How to Find a Spare Wheel?
  • The Main Items to Check:
• How to Identify a Spare Wheel Rim:
• How to Identify a Spare Wheel Tyre (Tire):
• Calculating the Spare Wheel Diameter, (including the tire):
• Jacks and Tools:
• Buying Parts:
• Interior Parts (storing the spare wheel):
  • Interior Trim:
  • Wheel Fixings (for securing the wheel in the boot\trunk):
• Image Gallery:

Notes:

• There can be small differences, between models of vehicles. When and where vehicles were manufactured can also have an effect. Please check the information below is correct for your vehicle.
• Some of the information has been gathered using a Volkswagen Tiguan mk2 as a common example.

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How to Find a Spare Wheel?

The Main Items to Check
(a Quick Overview):

The items listed in this section (directly below) give a quick overview.

• Do You Have a Part Number?
• What is the Wheel Diameter, (including the tire):
• How to Work Out the Whole Wheel Diameter:
• What Stud Hole Spacings do I Need:
• The Wheel Center Bore Hole:
• What is the Wheel Offset:

Do You Have a Part Number?

Do you have the original manufacturer’s part number? This can help make sure you have the correct spare wheel.

However…

• Some manufacturers have multiple part numbers for the same item?
• They may fit the same part to different models. But use a suffix, or prefix to help identify which model its fitted to. An example of this can be seen in the table below:

What is the Wheel Diameter, (including the tire):

The wheel diameter must be similar to the original wheels that are fitted. Most spares are not identical, but are similar.

How to Work Out the Whole Wheel Diameter:

• The wheel rim diameter.
• The height of the tyre sidewall x 2, (the top & bottom tire height).

For instance:

Bigger wheel rim + Smaller Tire sidewall = Wheel Diameter: 16 + (2+2) = 20

or

Smaller wheel rim + Bigger Tire sidewall = Wheel Diameter: 14 + (3+3) = 20

What Stud Hole Spacings do I Need:

• These must match the original fitted wheels, so the spare wheel can be correctly centered and bolted into place.
• How many wheel studs holes are there, 3, 4, 5…

The Wheel Center Bore Hole:

The wheel hub normally has a slight protrusion, (where the wheel bearings and hub nut are situated). This protrusion usually fits through the wheel center bore hole and also helps position the wheel when lifting into place. If the wheel center bore hole is too small, the wheel won’t fit.

What is the Wheel Offset:

The wheel offset (the distance from the wheel mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel). This is important, as the wheel has to fit over the brake disks, wheel hub, etc.

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How to Identify a Wheel Rim:

The Fitment:

Do the wheel stud holes and center bore holes line up? Are they the right size?

As an example. A VW Tiguan spare wheel fitment detail is:

• Number Of Studs: 5
• Wheel Stud Pattern: 5×112
• Centre Bore (CB): 57.1
• Wheel Size: (see the notes below).

The Wheel Size (Width, Diameter & Offset):

It’s also worth noting:

• Wheel Width: Has a ‘J’ after the number. i.e. 4J (J signifies passenger cars).
• Wheel Diameter: Has an ‘H’ after the number. i.e. 18H2 (or 16EH2. H2 is the wheel rim section profile).
• Wheel Offset: Has an ET. i.e. ET27.5 (ET is from the German Einpresstiefe).

The stamped markings that can often be used to help identify the size of a wheel:

Notes:

• You sometimes see ‘coverall’ statements such as: “An 18″ spare wheel may be suitable for vehicles equipped with 17″,18″, 19″ & 20″ wheels from the factory”. You will need to make sure this statement is correct for your vehicle.
• I have seen some comments where the dish of a spare wheel (the wheel offset, or ET) does not fit over the front brake disks for the ‘sportier’ vehicle models (fitted with larger brake discs). In this case (with a front flat tyre) they sometimes swap the rear wheel onto the front, and put the spare on the back.
• Sometimes the Wheel Offset (ET) is rounded up. I.e. an ET of ET27.5 is described as ET28.
• As usual, any parts described below may fit various VAG Group models across the range.

Example of the Typical Spare Wheel Part Numbers (for a VW Tiguan):

Suggested Part No’s for a Volkswagen Tiguan mk2 Steel Rim (for a spare wheel only)
Item	Part Number	Description	Detail
1 *	5QF601027	Steel rim.	6,5JX 17H2 ET38
2 *	5QF601027 03C	Black.
3 *	5QF601027A	Steel rim.	6,5JX 17H2 ET38
4 *	5QF601027A 03C	Black.
5 *	5QF601027B	Steel rim for space-saving emergency wheel.	4JX 18H2 ET28
6 *	5QF601027B 03C	Rally black.
7 *	5QF601027C	Steel rim for space-saving emergency wheel.	4JX 18H2 ET28
8 *	5QF601027C 03C	Rally black.
9 *	5N0601027E	This is the part No. for a Tiguan mk1. It does fit other VW group vehicles. The firts 3 digits are the model or engine code.	Please check.
10 #	5QF601011C	Replaces Part No.s: 5QF601011 or 5QF601027B 03C

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How to Identify a Tire (Tyre):

Just below, is an example of the tyre identification markings, that can be found on the side of a tire. There are often other markings, but theses are the main ones used.

235/50/R19 99V

• Tyre Width: 235.
• Tyre Profile: 50.
• Tyre Construction: R.
• Tyre Diameter: 19
• Load: 99.
• Speed Rating: V

Spare Wheel Tire Size:

The latest spare wheels, are often smaller in width than the standard wheels fitted to a vehicle. The diameter should be similar, but the width can be quite a bit less.

As an example… The suggested tyre size for a Tiguan mk2 spare wheel is:

145/80/R18 99M or a 145/85/R18 99M
(There may be other slight differences, as you can sometimes get a smaller width 125/ tire instead of 145/ )

Here the standard wheel had a tyre width of 235mm, whereas the spare wheel tire is 145mm.

Notes:

• The spare wheel tire has a higher profile, 80 or 85.
• The tyre width is smaller, 145.
• It has a lower speed rating, M (81 mph/130 kmh).
• The wheel diameter may be a different size, 18. (this could be because it uses a tyre with a larger profile). However, the overall diameter of the wheel may be slightly different to the original wheel fitted, (as it’s a spare). So unless you have a full size spare. The spare wheel is only a ‘get you home, or to a garage’ wheel. Your driving style should therefore take this into account.
• There may be slight differences in specification, depending on the tyre supplied with a spare wheel.
• For general info, (not needed for a spare wheel purchase): The VW Tiguan wheel stud Thread Size (THD) is: M14 x 1.5

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Calculating the Spare Wheel Diameter.
(Including the Tire)

Nearly all spare wheels have a different tire profile to that on the normal road wheels. So, how do you know if your spare wheel has a similar diameter?

We can calculate it.

Take some typical Tyre markings:

235/50 R19

We can use this to get the diameter of the wheel, (in mm):

Tire Wall height (TW):

Width (W) x Profile % (P) = Tire Wall Height (TW)

235 x 50% = 117.5

Diameter (Steel Wheel) (D):

First get the diameter of the steel wheel in mm, (1 inch = 25.4 mm).

19 (Inches) x 25.4 (mm’s) = 482.6 mm

Then calculate the diameter of the wheel with the tire fitted:

Diameter (steel wheel) D + (Tire Wall height (TW) x 2) = Wheel Diameter (with the tire)

482.6 + (117.5 x 2) = 717.6mm (with the tire)
or 28.25 Inches (with the tire)

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Table Showing Examples of Different Wheel Diameters with the tire (for a VW Tiguan):

Wheel Diameter Comparison (with the tire)
Tire Size					Wheel Size Calculation (with the tire)
		Width W mm	Profile P %	Diameter  D		Tire Wall Height TW W x P	Wheel Dia (with Tire) D + (TW x 2)	Dia Difference
				Inch	mm			mm	Inch
	Standard Wheel Sizes
1	215/65 R17	215	65	17	431.8	215 x 65% = 139.75	431.8 + (139.75 x 2) = 711.3	– 6.3	– 0.25
3	235/55 R18	235	55	18	457.2	235 x 55% = 129.25	457.2 + (129.25 x 2) = 715.7	– 1.9	– 0.07
4	235/50 R19*	235	50	19	482.6	235 x 50% = 117.5	482.6 + (117.5 x 2) = 717.6	0*	0.00*
5	255/40 R20	255	40	20	508	255 x 40% = 102	508 + (102 x 2) = 712	– 5.6	– 0.22
6	255/35 R21	255	35	21	533.4	255 x 35% = 89.25	533.4 + (89.25 x 2) =711.9	– 5.7	– 0.22
	Spare Wheel Sizes
7	145/80 R18	145	80	18	457.2	145 x 80% = 116	457.2 + (116 x 2) = 689.2	– 28.4	– 1.12
8	145/85 R18	145	85	18	457.2	145 x 85% = 123.25	457.2 + (123.25 x 2) = 703.7	– 13.9	– 0.55

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Jacks and Tools:

If you have a spare wheel, you will need the tools to jack the vehicle up and undo the wheel nuts \ bolts. There are a few things to consider…

• What size jack, 1 ton, 2 ton, etc.
• How high will the jack lift.
• The type of jack. Scissor or half scissor?

Here is an example of the typical additional items that may be needed, (for a VW Tiguan mk2):

• Jack – 5QF 011 031 C
• Jack Crank Arm – 5Q0 011 221
• Jack holding strap – 5G0 867 749
• Socket Wrench – 4D0 012 219 A

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Buying Parts:

If you’re not sure what you need, sometimes it’s a good idea to have a look? The list below may give you an idea of what’s available, what to look for, and how much the part might cost…

Start by typing in ‘spare wheel’ and the vehicle model name and see what comes up in a search. Use the info above to help make sure you find the right wheel for your vehicle…

How much does a spare wheel, a jack, or a wheel wrench, etc cost?

Spare Wheels, Jacks & Tools (How Much Do They Cost?)
Location	Items
UK	Spare Wheels	Vehicle Jack	Tools, Wrenches, etc
USA	Spare Wheels	Vehicle Jack	Tools, Wrenches, etc
AUS	Spare Wheels	Vehicle Jack	Tools, Wrenches, etc
CAN	Spare Wheels	Vehicle Jack	Tools, Wrenches, etc
IRL	Spare Wheels	Vehicle Jack	Tools, Wrenches, etc

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Interior Parts (For Storing the spare wheel):

Some vehicle manufactures can supply parts to convert your boot \ trunk space to carry the spare wheel. As an example, these are the part numbers for fitting a spare wheel into the boot or trunk, of a VW Tiguan mk2.

Topics:

• Interior Trim:
• Wheel Fixings (for securing the wheel in the boot\trunk):

Interior Trim:

• Boot Floor – 5NA858855 (C,G,F)
• Cover for boot lock carrier (plastic trim with mounts for the hard floor) – 5NA863459 (B,D,E,F)
• Floor mounting (block left) – 5NA858847 E82V (A,B,C,D,E)
• Floor mounting (block right) – 5NA858848 E82V (A,B,C,D,E)
• Floor mounting plate (behind rear bench) – 5NA868077 (A)
• Hex socket head locating bolt M6X25 (Qty: 6) – N 90969901

Wheel Fixings (for securing the wheel in the boot\trunk):

• Bolt for spare wheel mounting (99mm) – 3G0803899E
• Toolbox: 5NA012115H (foam wheel surround, with tool compartments).

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Image Gallery:

– click or tap any image to view full size –