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Space saver wheels

Discussion in 'Rant and Rave' started by aposhark, Aug 24, 2019.

  1. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    I know it is because of saving fuel by carrying less weight, but really, ever seen a tyre that has clipped a kerb and ripped? (I haven't done it).
    I changed the car recently and made sure they put a full size wheel in.
    I don't want to be in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal and a bad tyre with that useless tyre filler and the family eager to get home safe!
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2019
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  2. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    They are nonsence I always carry a full spare and some instant repair
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  3. DavidAlma
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    DavidAlma Well-Known Member

    I don't think it's so much to save fuel, than to save space. A full size wheel and tyre is a real squeeze in the limited space available in a modern compact car. The space saver set up is easier to fit in an emergency by the side of the road, smaller and a lot lighter. It serves well as an emergency get you home type of solution.
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  4. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    WP_20160402_15_32_56_Pro (2).jpg my mg tf came with a space saver--looks unused--but probably rotted by now. its in the shed., together with the jack. more weight saved.

    problem is---my front brakes are factory fitted 4 pot calipers---and the space saver would never fit the front hub--so in the event of a front puncture--i would have to swap a back wheel to the front--which are wider anyway--and the skinny space saver on the back.

    so i carry a can of shaving foam in the boot.
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  5. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Not if the side wall of the tyre is ripped
    Just got a Sportage and there was plenty of room for a full size wheel and one is in there now.
    The dealer didn't give me a proper tool kit to go with it and that is fixed by them now ;)
    I am ready for anything now :lol:
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  6. DavidAlma
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    DavidAlma Well-Known Member

    I don't understand your comment about a ripped sidewall in the tyre??
    If you have space for a full size spare wheel in your Sportage, well that's just great. There is no way a full size spare wheel will fit in many compact cars, not and have useable boot space at the same time. Hence the name "space saver".
    My Landrover had a full size spare and in the event of a puncture there is no way in hell a woman would be able to change the tyre.
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  7. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    Thats not the problem its that the designers wernt told to make it fit in the design ,thats where the failure is Minis carried a normal spare
  8. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Hi David,
    It has been known for people to tear open the side wall (most of the tyre you can see if you look at a car side-on) and, of course, the tyre is irreparable in that state. I never wanted a space-saver, just an extra full-size wheel and tyre. I want to be able to jack the car up and replace like-for-like when required.
    I am not a woman so the weight is not an issue. Thinking of my wife changing a tyre with a jack sends shivers down my spine, and besides, she would spoil her nails and lose her composure.

    I asked the dealership to test the available space with a full-size wheel before I placed the order.
  9. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    I don't understand the issue about a ripped side wall either Mike?

    As long as the space saver tyre is in a functional condition and you observe the speed and distance rules after fitting it then you should be fine, it's really only to get you to a garage that can replace the tyre.

    Driving on one for any prolonged period of time is a very bad idea, and that's the only issue I have with them that people are daft enough to think they are a long term replacement.
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  10. DavidAlma
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    DavidAlma Well-Known Member

    Yes it could be made to fit, but at the expense of available space in the boot. Designers no doubt felt that the use of a space saver was a good way to make a reasonable amount of space available.
  11. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Hi Jim,
    If the side of the tyre gets ripped, the foam will not repair it.
    On goes the space saver.
    If someone is travelling in a foreign country and the tyre gets ripped, it could be a big problem as the ripped tyre is useless.
    I prefer "belt and braces" when driving my family around.
    I don't like space saver wheels, I like to be able to replace like-for-like.
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  12. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    It rests on whether the rim or the body of the wheel gets damaged, most older spares (to my knowledge I could be wrong) are steel, they won't be alloys so you would not have like for like anyway, space saver steel or full size steel.

    If the rim is screwed you have to buy a new one eventually whether the tyre is intact or not, if it is a full size steel then you can still run it without too many limitations and probably for long distance as long as the tyre is in good condition but the balance is probably out a bit as the angular momentum could be different on either side of the car, it would depend on the mass distribution of the steel vs the alloy wheel.

    If I lost a wheel that way I would be looking to replace it properly as quick as I could and I would be relying on the AA or the RAC particularly if abroad, they will help to get you to a place you can get a new one and sometimes they will give you credit if you really need it although for me that was nearly 30 years ago :)
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  13. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    I well remember the RAC giving you "Credit Vouchers" in Spain I had an attempted stitch up by the Guarda National who tried to instant fine me for "pocket money"in a scam they instigated only to give up when they read the vouchers were good for fines in Spanish:)
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  14. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    This is side wall damage:
    [​IMG]

    I wouldn't drive with the tyre in this state and I wouldn't put a space saver on either.

    I wouldn't trust anyone or any organisation if I was abroad with tyre damage.
    I just prefer to get the jack out and change for another full size wheel.

    I wouldn't go on any long journey, particularly abroad, with the family and a space saver.
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2019
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  15. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Mattecube doesn't have kids AFAIK, so he doesn't have to worry about being stranded with a wife and little ones up a mountain in Spain with a ripped tyre and only a space saver.
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  16. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    Yes he has 3 kids and 3 grandchildren and if I was (and have) traveling anywhere abroad I would ensure my space saver tyre was in good order in case of 8emergency up a mountain and my vehicle breakdown cover included tyres.
    I haven't ripped a tyre yet and been driving 45 years in UK and abroad.
    A space saver tyre is as it says a space saver in the boot and was introduced by manufacturer's to reduce weight to meet EU carbon emission standards and to be used in emergency within certain disciplines ie don't drive over 85 km per hour and get your original tyre fixed as soon as possible.
    one thing a space saver does do once fitted as an emergency measure it will encourage most sensible people to get the damaged tyre repaired or replaced instead of forgetting about it because it's in the boot and the 4 on the car are ok.
    I wouldn't of thought anyone on their right mind would set off on a long journey especially continental on a space saver wheel, what have they in the boot another space saver, nothing or a standard tyre?
    last time I looked the Spanish car's had tyres on so I would guess there is fairly good tyre dealerships nationwide in Spain so if a tyre was damaged in a rural area a space saver would suffice till the vehicle could be taken to a dealership for a tyre repair or replacement.
    would I let my children or grand children travel in a car fitted with a space saver tyre? the answer is yes providing the driver complied with the manufacturer's guidelines on its use.
    I trust this post clarifies my position on the use of space saver tyres and more importantly my parental position which is 3 children and 3 grandchildren all of whom I love dearly.
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2019
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  17. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    EU emissions targets to be met.
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  18. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    Why did you dislike Mikes post?
    He said as Far as he knew

    My supposition is that you dont spend much time up spanish mountains with kids or grand kids otherwise we would have heard about it here:)
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  19. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    can he not speak for himself?
    did he?
    would you and please note I used the word have!
    Why would you it's a BritFilipino site not a Brit Brit site
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  20. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    I asked because I am curious Mike can ask what he like just like the rest of us:)

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