Spare wheel question

AdrianC

Slowly_does_it.. wrote: »

Whilst tyre repair kits are light, quick, easy, seem to last etc. I doubt they would help where my tyre was knocked off the rim, and they have a max sized hole they can fix, above that it just leaks out - found this out the hard way, at 2am, in the rain.

...and check your breakdown recovery service's Ts & Cs - most of them restrict their service in the event of a missing spare wheel if one was provided as standard.

almillar

Yep, if you're using tyre weld, that means that you've got such a bad puncture that you can't just pump it, drive, pump it, drive. In this case you use the tyre weld and pretty much write that tyre off. If it was barely holding air, it probably can't be repaired anyway (in my brief experience, please share yours) so you're ditching the tyre anyway (and cleaing a wheel).
I certainly agree that there' s no substitute for a spare, but I prefer not to carry the weight and have more space in the boot. I'll bet there are also plenty of people carrying one with no intention of ever changing it at the side of the road, and not a member of a roadside organisation...
And yes, of course, it's just one less thing to fail an MOT on!

keith1950

The spare isn't part of the mot test !

almillar

keith1950 - not sure whether you're agreeing or not, but IF you've got a spare tyre in the car, it must be usable (tread, inflation etc).

AdrianC

almillar wrote: »

keith1950 - not sure whether you're agreeing or not, but IF you've got a spare tyre in the car, it must be usable (tread, inflation etc).

For the MOT? You can have as many flat, bald tyres in the boot as you like. The only testable tyres are the ones on each corner. The spare is never testable. The tester can advise, as he can with anything he thinks you ought to be aware of, but he cannot fail it.
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s04000001.htm

caprikid1

Just buy one, dont mess with try repair kits if it is a serious failure it wont work. If you have space for a spare put on in.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-fiesta-mk4-5-alloy-wheel-4-stud-14-has-slight-cosmetic-wear-96-02-/281363770919?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4182966e27

mcjordi

any decent breakers will have wheels from a fiesta/ka/escort that will fit..

topdaddy_2

almillar wrote: »

keith1950 - not sure whether you're agreeing or not, but IF you've got a spare tyre in the car, it must be usable (tread, inflation etc).

Complete tosh.

DD265 wrote: »

I need to replace my spare wheel (got stolen).

I've just had two new front tyres put on my 1997 MK4 Fiesta which are 185/55 on 14". I'm assuming that I should look for the same in a spare? or could I get away with a 185/60 which seems to be a lot more readily available?

If I were to buy a spare from a different make of car, provided it was 14" with the right size tyre should I expect any issues?

A different make of car might not fit, a different sized tire as a spare would not be a problem if it was of similar size and should be the same rolling radius. But if its a spare just to get you home then you can use a space saver, its the same principle.

nobbysn*ts

almillar wrote: »

Yep, if you're using tyre weld, that means that you've got such a bad puncture that you can't just pump it, drive, pump it, drive. In this case you use the tyre weld and pretty much write that tyre off. If it was barely holding air, it probably can't be repaired anyway (in my brief experience, please share yours) so you're ditching the tyre anyway (and cleaing a wheel).
I certainly agree that there' s no substitute for a spare, but I prefer not to carry the weight and have more space in the boot. I'll bet there are also plenty of people carrying one with no intention of ever changing it at the side of the road, and not a member of a roadside organisation...
And yes, of course, it's just one less thing to fail an MOT on!

I first used tyre weld in the 80's. It repaired a gash in the shoulder of the tyre. I had to take the wheel off, and tip it so the tyre weld ran into the right spot. It worked. I did get a tube in the tyre though, as it wasn't a repairable puncture.

almillar

Complete tosh.

Oops, sorry. I'm in NI and I still think that if a spare wheel (in the right place) is present, it must be usable. I stand to be corrected (again) though!