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We have a new (to us) car, a Honda Jazz, and it hasn't come with a spare tyre, just a can of foam. There is space under the boot floor to put a space saver spare in though, so I could buy one if I wanted.
Now, given this is the first car we've bought in 12 years, I understand that this is not unusual these days, but the thought of not having a spare does make me slightly uneasy. Saying that, the spare in the old car was unused for 12 years...
So, do you have a spare, and do you care?
the spare in the old car was unused for 12 years…
Last time I used a spare was on a minibus on 2009...And I've driven 20k-30k miles a year since then.
Ours came just like yours. Bought a kit on eBay that came with wheel, jack and spanner. It all fitted in the same hole. Was only £30 or so, takes up no extra space, definitely my preference. I've used it anger and all was good.
I think it's an age thing. I bet most people would just call a recovery service now and not even attempt to use the gunk.
It does bother me - if there's space for a spare I would buy a spare because I have no trouble changing a wheel. Don't forget jack and tyre wrench too!
I mean i would answer this but, by doing so, Im damn sure on my next road trip i would puncture & regret not having a spare tyre
I'm old school enough to want the space saver and I've used ours before. The problem with the gunk is that after you have used it you can no longer repair the tyre, you have to replace (as I understand it)
My Leon came with the foam bottle & a pump.
I have since bought a space saver & jack kit.
The thought of being stuck somewhere for hours waiting for a recovery vehicle to come & get me just for a flat tyre, didn't really appeal.
If there had been no wheel well under the boot floor then I probably wouldn't have bothered, but it seemed worth the minor outlay for peace of mind.
The only punctures I've had that have brought me to a standstill have been way too large for sealant to sort out.
I've not had a spare for years, but my cars do have runflat tyres.
If you did have a spare, could you safely change it?
full size spare on the wifes car - and a can of foam - with instructions to check for debris and use the foam first to get home or at least to a safe place away from the road side.
My car has a space saver - got a 5 inch nail through the size wall on day two of ownership so was glad of it .
If you did have a spare, could you safely change it?
This - but also what you gonna do when the first recovery driver shows up and doesn't carry tyres -but your tyres irreparable by plug ?
If a spacesaver - remember the space saver doesn't go on the steer axle... the number of vehicles i see using a space saver on the front wheel for days/weeks at a time......that - and most are speed and distance limited.
My Toyota came with a can of foam. I thought nothing of it as it was ages since I needed a spare. This was fine until we were on our way to Loch Marrie. We were on the inevitable single track road and got forced off onto the dusty bit by the large camper van coming the other way. The inside edge got ripped getting back on the road.
The guy who came out to replace the tyre said they did 8 similar repairs a day.
So you decide. I got a space saver from Toyota but you will also need a jack etc.
Yep, always have a spare.
Old van didn't have one so I got one from a scrappy, new van has.
Had to call the breakdown people for a gearbox fault in August last year. Took an hour to get to somewhere with a phone signal (signal dropping in and out, having to go through everything every time I got back, including the hold, then trying to describe where I was, they couldn't take a grid ref for some reason, no I can't download what3words, I've barely got a phone signal never mind data and oh they've cut off again) and then another couple of hours for them to get to me. All that for a flat tyre I can do in twenty minutes? No chance
Bought a full size rim and put one of my tyres on when I had new fitted. Second hand jack
I did contemplate buying a temporary spare, the skinny things. It would have given me marginally more boot space but meh.
Last puncture was a catastrophic blow out after hitting a pothole in the middle of the highland winter. 15 minutes and I was on my way. Foam wouldn't have worked on the damaged tyre so long wait for help
If there is space for a spare wheel, I would definitely put one in. Far better to swap if you can and it's safe to do so and not use a foam, which I think can make a punctured tyre unrepairable anyway. Can you not fit a full size? Or is that the mk 2 Jazz. Can't remember.
And on the can you change it bit, it's only really the torque (120/140Nm?) needed for the wheel nuts that's the strength part. Depends who's likely to be doing the change. My mum carries a long steel tube to act as an extension handle for the supplied wrench. Makes the job easy.
Used my spare a month ago, I wouldn't like to be without one.
If you did have a spare, could you safely change it?
Even if you can't a helpful passer by could, but only if you have one. I've done it a couple of times (easy for me to help as I have a trolly jack, it's a doddle)
Thought process for my ex wife regarding a tow rope "It's only a Yaris, it won't be able to tow anything" Me: but what if you get stuck or break down and you're the one needing to be towed? "Oh, I hadn't thought of that" Make things easy for helpful people to help.
I've had a flat that wouldn't heal.
Its a pain in the arse, if you know how to change a tyre to have to wait for someone to tow you to a garage in the middle of the night then wait for the owner to come and unlock the garage. Etc
Could have been up and running in 15minutes instead it took 4 hours. And I didn't need the car for days after i got to my destination so plenty of oppo to get it fixed during the day.
Spare for me. Not from a stranding point of view just from a "its less shit" point of view.
If you did have a spare, could you safely change it?
I'm very capable of changing a wheel but if I was on a motorway or dual carriageway I'd probably just wait for the feds to arrive. On any other road it's not hard to limp to a safe place/side road.
The last time I had a puncture was on the slip road off a dual carriageway when a rear tyre literally blew the side out. After having to empty the boot of dogs and a ton of bags and other stuff (I was on my way to the coat for a few weeks)I got the space saver out and started to inflate it with the compressor but after a few mins it was clear that nothing was happening.
Turns out the people that last replaced a punctured tyre had deflated the space saver incorrectly and the little compressor couldn't seat the bead. I had to load everything back up and slowly drove 2 miles into Bangor to National Tyres who re-seated the space saver tyre and fitted for me completely free of charge. Super impressed!
A can of foam or goo would have been zero help with a 2" hole in the tyre sidewall.
i wouldnt trust goo. Dont you have to chuck it in then quickly move to spin it around the tyre? and then stop again to blow it up? doesnt seem safe even if it goes to plan.
I would rather have a tubeless repair kit like on a bike, tbh. One of those vulcanised strings on a spike, i think you would stand a better chance.
Proper sized spare wheel every time for me, though mine lives under the van, so the last time i came to use it, using it was scary enough as it was rusted and crusty as hell.
I sat in a works car with a puncture in Paisley for 4 hours waiting for the RAC. After that we locked the car and I got a lift back to base.
I now carry my own can of gunk in my work bag.
My own can has a space saver. Not used in 7 years but I used the one in the previous car.
Low risk but I feel worth carry a spare to a oud getting back to the car at, for example, the far end of Loch Arkaig to a flat. I also have a jump start pack. Also never used.
I’d get a spare if there was space in the car. The spare in my partner’s Polo has been used three times in the ten years we’ve had it.
Edit: one time it was an utter b*#tard to remove the wheel because it hadn’t been off for four years or so, I had the tyre place clean and copper slip the hubs to hopefully make it easier next time. Kicking at the wheel whilst on the flimsy car jack in the kit was a worry!
Yea, at a rough guess I've had a puncture every 40,000miles? Probably a bit better than that as it's trying to average over several cars but it's still every ~4 years. Worst was getting two on the same trip and having already fitted the spare after a pothole smashed the rim!
We carry
Spare wheel
Puncture repair kit (anchovies)
Electric pump
Can of foam.
(and some coolant, oil, screen wash, bulbs, and an assortment of tools)
The idea being that I should be able to plug most punctures without even taking the wheel off, if not swap the wheel, and the can is for emergencies. In the Berlingo I even carried a spare clutch cable kit! They had a reputation for only lasting ~3 years and could (with a handy kerb and something to use as a stand so as not to rely on the jack) be replaced at the side of the road! We don't actually drive much (7k/year between us) but when we do it's 700miles in a weekend so I'd rather some 15minute fix didn't ruin the trip.
I carry a spare, but not anchovies/inflator. Good idea though in case of 2 punctures on one trip. What's the best anchovies/plug system then please?
No spare with ours but space for one.
Got a puncture last month (screw through the tread). Luckily it happened locally and I got home with 20psi still in the tyre.
After lugging a 17" alloy + tyre on the train to the closest kwik fit we now a have space saver, no doubt it will never be used.
Cheers all, I think I'm going to double check there is space under the bott (I'm pretty sure, but I only took a quick look) and get a space saver spare.
No space for a spare in my car.
I have a Dynaplug kit as well as the can of gunk and inflator. Not keen on using the gunk, but did succesfully sort a screw in tyre last month with the Dynaplug kit. Would rather have a spare, but I guess this is how it is these days.
No spare tyre on my 125cc scooter. 25000 miles commuting and only 1 puncture, 1 failed repair, 1 ride home stopping to top up air in the rear tyre. New tyre has a tyre sealant running around in it + I carry a can of sealant under the seat.
Only 1 puncture on my last car that needed the spare tyre. Current car has no tyre but I do have the gunk and inflator.
I got a puncture on my motorbike miles away from home and it was a right faff having to stop every 30 mins or so and trying to find a garage to add more air.
Which reminds me - I must purchase a battery powered tyre inflator to carry with me.
Bought a spare wheel & tyre after a large side wall puncture. Car had to be recovered to the tyre shop and no spare tyre could be be found for 48 hours (Polestar).... not the first time this has happened ( Golf GIT) Fine to remove the spare, jack & wheel brace etc but the infrastructure /spares need to be instock to surport this. Whole boot now consumed by the spare but now wont have to waste hours waiting for a recovery truck and finding a spare. On my way in 10 mins rather than losing two days.
What’s the best anchovies/plug system then please?
Almost definitely not "the best" but I have a standard kit that I originally got for the [quite big] mower - I have used it on the car with great success. I'm not sure what would be different on a car-specific one.
Edit: one time it was an utter b*#tard to remove the wheel because it hadn’t been off for four years or so, I had the tyre place clean and copper slip the hubs to hopefully make it easier next time. Kicking at the wheel whilst on the flimsy car jack in the kit was a worry!
before you jack the car, use the jack on the tyre iron to loosen the bolts
I prefer to have a spare. I did have a bit of a problem with a space saver spare once. Fitted it to the car but then when I went to put the 255 wide tyre in the boot there wasn't room for it!
before you jack the car, use the jack on the tyre iron to loosen the bolts
The bolts can be the problem but it is more common for the centre of the wheel to seize onto the hub. You need to kick the tyre enough to free the stickiness but not enough to knock it off the jack.
The bolts can be the problem but it is more common for the centre of the wheel to seize onto the hub. You need to kick the tyre enough to free the stickiness but not enough to knock it off the jack.
this was the exact scenario. Getting the bolts out was simple. Aluminium alloy on steel hubs+ road salt= pain in the neck, or actually feet.
Edit: one time it was an utter b*#tard to remove the wheel because it hadn’t been off for four years or so, I had the tyre place clean and copper slip the hubs to hopefully make it easier next time. Kicking at the wheel whilst on the flimsy car jack in the kit was a worry!
people dont rotate tyres any more?
Changing winters to summers and back does have its advantages i guess.
I did have a bit of a problem with a space saver spare once. Fitted it to the car but then when I went to put the 255 wide tyre in the boot there wasn’t room for it!
if its bulging rather than flat, dont put it in the passender compartment - or let the air out!
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/us-war-hero-survived-taliban-bomb-1054989
my friend was whatever the USAF equivilent of an NCIS officer is... described this as the worst crime scene he saw during his service.
What’s the best anchovies/plug system then please?
Mines a generic kit off Amazon, it's done 3 tyres so far, one lasted the life of the tyre and the other two were in tyres that were down to ~2.5mm anyway. so got replaced a few months later. I don't think it's 'approved' as a permeant repair, but it's not failed on me.
It's not fancy but did the job. And came with some other grubbiness like cutters for trimming the anchovy, pliars to get the nail out, etc for about £18.
Ok thanks. had a looked at the generic kits. Basically the same as bike anchovies, but beefier and with a T handle tool to push them in.
This sort of thing, £13 at euro carparts:
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/benson-car-tyre-repair-set-27pc-553991400
For minimal cost seems well worth having stashed in car.
I've only had (from memory) three punctures in 28 years but I still like having a spare or space saver.
Van thankfully has one and I check it annually - underslung at the rear and the release mechanism has a habit of seizing.
Both Mrs a11y's car and mine came with tin of gunk only. She carries a space saver as she's got a huge boot, but mine's a 3-dr MINI and I use the entire boot and cabin space weekly, so not an option.
people dont rotate tyres any more?
Nope, most manufacturers don't require it anymore.
Lots do in the US though, mainly as it's the only way to get some people to look at their tyres in many states. Sorry "tires".
Changing winters to summers and back does have its advantages i guess.
Yes, all my wheels come off and on twice a year.
And they aren't fitted due to weight and space. Plus the number of people who can actually change/want to change a wheel has dropped massively in the last 20 years, can see it in roadside recovery statistics, even in those cars that have a spare.
Plus, a lot of companies don't allow employees to change wheels roadside due to insurance risks, i know when i was still in the UK i wasn't allowed to, get a flat in any company or company leased vehicle, call for assistance and get somewhere safe. Current employer hasn't had a spare tyre in a lease or test vehicle for ~10 years. Strangely i'm allowed to do all 4 on my drive in the dark with any tools i happen to have handy...
The first week I had my company VW Passat, the rear right tyre blew out on the M6 midway home, some 100 miles into a 200+ mile drive, on a Friday evening. I was very thankful for a space-saver spare. No can of foam was sealing a shredded tyre.
I also got a pinch flat when driving home from Skye in torrential rain. We had a car full of holiday stuff and a 4 and 6 year old in the car. Again, I was very thankful for a spare.
So, it depends on how many miles a year you do, do you plan on driving to remote places. How important is it being up and driving after a flat, are you able to wait for the hour or two (or more) for the AA etc to come out to you. Are you physically fit, a big car has big wheels, I'm not sure my 5 foot tall mother in-law could change the 18" wheel on her car.
What this thread has made me realise is, that my 2 week old car does not have a spare wheel. I'll be ordering one asap.
I just bought a space saver on eBay. £50 from scrappy. A full size with matching alloy would only have been £80 but I didn't want to lose the boot space.
All ours now have a pump and goo
Well at least you don't have to take two bottles into the shower...
Nope, most manufacturers don’t require it anymore
That's nice....for fleet managers.
I'll file that under 15/20k oil changes.
As for a 3 door mini not having space. That's poor design in a vehicle so big.
There's room without invading cabin or boot space in my 108. And that's a vastly smaller vehicle.
So, do you have a spare, and do you care?
Yes and yes.
At no point do I want a vehicle without a spare wheel.
A can of foam or a puncture repair kit is no use if the tyre has torn and it's much easier to just jack the car up and change the wheel.
Using goo renders the tyre irreparable, so a nearly new all-climate with a nail in, would mean forking out another £250-300 or so, depending on make/size. At its last MoT, my car had two advisory notices, a nail in one front tire that was reparable, and one in a rear tyre, that wasn’t. The rear tyres were original OEM and had perished sidewalls as well. So two new tyres on the front, the nearly new fronts went on the back. The old tyres had just over 33,000 miles on them, the front’s had about 1500-2000 when they got swapped.
I carry a compressor, like most cars do these days, but I don’t think there’s space under the boot-board for even a space-saver, and I have breakdown cover through my bank account.
There’s no way I would try replacing a tyre on a hard shoulder of a motorway or dual carriageway, just the thought scares me shitless!
but I don’t think there’s space under the boot-board
Optional extra on the EcoSport. Goes on the back door.
Probably one of the few optional extras Id spec
There’s no way I would try replacing a tyre on a hard shoulder of a motorway or dual carriageway, just the thought scares me shitless!
I always thought this was illegal.- but it's not. But then I wouldn't fancy the alternative of waiting on the hard shoulder/smart motorway*. or rather on the grass behind the Armco in the pishing rain either.
* Won't need the AA. Just send the scrap collector.....your car will be written off
Which reminds me – I must purchase a battery powered tyre inflator to carry with me.
I recently bought a cycplus A2 which is battery powered, portable and has a hose so checking tyre pressures on cars and motorbikes is easy. I must remember to put it in my car/bike when I'm next out.
As for a 3 door mini not having space. That’s poor design in a vehicle so big.
Indeed. Reverse tardis. PIss poor really, but central exit exhaust is importanter to some folk unfortunately (at the expense of a spare wheel well). A space saver can be strapped vertically to the back of the rear seat but means losing about half the boot space and the parcel shelf.
(otherwise a brilliant car though)
Can still fit a XXL 29er in there - after removing both wheels AND the fork. For comparison, that's a 29" wheel - a spare for my 205/45r17 would be about 24.5".
A few months ago I had my very first flat tyre while on the move - blew a tennis ball sized hole out of the tread while on the M25 at speed. I’ve had tyres go down while parked, but never while moving. I’ve been driving since Callaghan was PM! Glad I had a (space saver) spare and was right at a junction to get off and park up safely.
I’ll stick with a spare.
Once as a kid i had to hold the horns of a particularly fiesty Ram through the dog bars while my dad leaned in to get the spare out the back of the volvo estate.
Those were the days.