Your point is well taken.

However, my thinking is this: If I get a flat tire between Illinois and Texas, I can just change my flat to an identical (except non-flat!) tire and rim. That way, I don't have to be delayed several hours, perhaps overnight, while a local Walmart fixes my flat or gets me a new tire while I sit on my donut. I make long trips such as this frequently.

The question, then, is what would be the ramifications of driving several hundred miles with 3 original wheel/tire combinations and 1 cheap steel wheel/tire combination? I would think they would be significant, but I don't know. If they would be significant, then it defeats the purpose of the full size spare.

Anyone want to offer an opinion?