17" alloy spare wheel query

Iceweasel

The car industry has created a problem here - by omitting a full size spare.

I can go along fine with the option of a - spacesaver as they really do save space (surprise, surprise) if properly designed in - but many manufacturers do not supply a spacesaver if the car has run-flat tyres or in the case of the OP whose car is publicised as having 'puncture resistant' tyres.

This problem is compounded further by many cars having no wheel-well beneath the boot floor.

My car came without even a wheel-brace and jack. To me that is nonsense - but not enough to put me off buying the car I wanted.

My car has run-flats - no problem there, as I am happy for Mrs Iceweasel not having to even think about changing a wheel at the roadside.

Due to the restrictions of running a run-flat after a puncture (max 50 miles at 50mph) I have also purchased a spacesaver tyre and wheel which has to sit in the boot taking up space - not saving it. I also had to buy a jack and wheelbrace.

Runflats just give you the ability to get off a motorway or out of busy traffic before attending to the puncture. They mean that you have to find a tyre dealer with easy reach - within 50 miles is not always possible in remoter parts of the UK - hence the spacesaver.

I further have a 'Mobility Kit' which is a small compressor and a bottle of latex 'goo' which it pumps into the tyre.

I know that lots of folks will say 'For God's sake just get a full size spare'. That's not so easy as my car has different width wheels front and rear and even the narrower one would cost nearly £400 with the tyre.

Thank goodness for eBay - plenty spacesavers and jacks on sale there.

We have been sold short by the manufacturers and the situation will get worse as more follow suit.

OddballJamie

vaio wrote: »

nah, my spare wheel can be used permanently as it is exactly the same as the other wheels/tyres.

As far as different sized wheels/tyres go I'm pretty sure the Construction & Use regs make it unlawful to have different size tyres across an axle (see reg 27(1)a) but makes an exception for temp use spares in reg 27(3) but only if used at <50 mph.

I can't see any distinction between the super skinny space savers and the almost full size option the OP is considering.

Either it is the same as the rest of the wheels/tyres (in which case it can be used indefinitely and will pass MOT) or it's not (in which case it is temp use only, limited to 50 and will fail MOT)

I think you're correct with the 50mph, it is a strange one though, I thought it was higher because I know someone with a Laguna that has a full size spare (different tyre size to normal), but has a 130kmh sticker on it.

My current car has a space saver with 50mph sticker, previous had full size alloy and one before that had a full size steel with no sticker.

I already knew about the MOT bit as I did in fact have a puncture the night before the cars first MOT. I stuck the spare on, then realised it wouldn't pass the MOT, so quickly swapped to my spare set of wheels for the test.