Darkmann

'01 E430: The car has a full size spare and rim. But according to the owner's manual, the rim on the spare is mileage limited. Does the thing crumble after the limit mileage is reached? I'd like someone to explain the physics to me. Thanks.

E55 KEV

Why are you concerned with this? All tires have a Speed Rating and Mileage rating. I don't believe that your 01 E430 full size spare is rated much less than your other tires. I have a 98 E430 and all 5 Continental tires were the same with a "H" speed rating. A "H" rated tire is good for a sustained speed of 130 MPH. Sport Package E-Class performance tires have higher speed ratings and lower mileage ratings.

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Darkmann

I am talking about the rim on the spare tire. there is a mileage limitation on it and I am curious as to what the physics is behind this restriction.

E55 KEV

Sorry, I thought you were referring to the tire. Personally, I would change the rim to the same wheel on the car. That way there are no limitations place on your driving while using the spare. Plus, I would not like to drive around telling the world - "I had a flat". I would invest in a used/reconditioned rim. Mercedes got cheap on us in model year 2000 when they started to use black steel rims instead of using the same alloy wheel as the other four for the spare.