I just went outside to get something from my car and I noticed that I had a flat. So, I changed the wheel to the spare and put the flat in my trunk. The problem is that I wont be able to get the flat replaced for a day or two, so I'm wondering how long it's safe to drive on the spare. Since it is a full size spare can I treat it like the regular wheel, or should I keep my speed lower than normal. Also, is it a good idea to change all the tires or should I just worry about the flat one. Thanks for any advice in advance

.02 cents
If flat tire is shot and the other side's tire is close to being worn down, then buy two new tires and rotate as appropriate.
If the spare is new then just buy one new
tire and fix the flat tire and use that as spare. Or buy used comparable tire for spare.

Depends on the performance type of tire etc.
refer to manual for proper rotation method.
.2 cents sense

Number one is, was this front or rear. If you are going to drive more than just a few miles, both rear tires must be the same size. If they are not you can easily cause differential damage.

If the tire is exactly the same size, you can take your time. If it's slightly off size but on the front, not a big deal as long as it's in good shape.

I don't remember ever seeing one of those ridiculous space saving spares in an MB, but that doesn't mean that they've never sold any.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

It's the same size and it's in the rear. I should be able to get it taken care of by Monday or Tuesday, but if there is any danger I could take a few hours off work and get it done sooner

This is why I check the pressure in my spare tire every month, and also why some people who upsize tires or rims but not their spare will get into trouble. I Know a guy who replaced his stock 15 inch wheels with 18s and also did a major brake upgrade. He got a flat and guess what, his spare wouldn't fit over the larger brakes. Like everyone else says, if it is the same size, and the pressure is good you should be fine. As for replacing the flat I think it is a good idea to do at least two tires (both back if the flat is in the rear or vise versa).

JP Toronto

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Jason Priest
1986 420SEL

I don't know how we can suggest replacing tires without seeing them. If the tires have good tread and in good shape, fix the puncture and put it back on.

You don't throw away my car when I get a flat, so don't automatically throw away a tire when it gets punctured. The tire store can fix a flat for usually 5 or 6 bucks including putting it back on the ground where it came from.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Those space saving spares suck really bad. About a year ago I was driving from Lake Tahoe to San Francisco. Well one of the tires went flat about 40 miles out of tahoe on a Saturday night so there was no place open to get a new tire and I needed to get back to SF that night. Well these space saving spares only let you go 50mph so I had to drive 50mph on I-80 where I got more obscene gestures then I have gotten in my whole life, I was quite embarrassed. It took me about 8 hours to get home.

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Adam,
1986 300E
1997 Acura Integra GS-R

I believe the only MBs with a donut spare are the MLs. American influence I guess. In Georgia they don't see you getting a flat, replacing it on the side of the road, and continuing your journey at 130MPH.

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1998 E320
1969 280SE
MBCA Member

If the Spare is the same size as your wheels and tires now, then you should be able to use it just fine. if the tire is very old and has been in the trunk for 15 years, I would think its rubber has become softer, therefore not recommended to use it at high speeds, but for a few miles it should do fine.

And if I had an ML, I'd buy a full size spare. Wouldn't to be offroad on a trail and have to put on a weenie wheel.

Alon

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'92 300CE
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[This message has been edited by Ashman (edited 11-25-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Ashman (edited 11-25-2000).]