Motor car spare wheels

[ordbrae]

Since learning that some cars do not have a spare wheel and tyre supplied but instead have an emergency inflating repairing device. I would welcome any observations on this vital omission.

[gingejbee]

I wouldn't buy a car without a proper spare and would insist that the dealer supplied one at no extra cost- or the deal is off. (A relative did this successfully, btw).

[Toureman]

You should have seen watchdog last night !

There was quite a lot of complaints about this.

You are supplied with an electric machine that repairs the puncture "that is supposed to repair your tyre" but only works 50% of the time.

I would also not buy a car without a spare wheel.

[Thatcherite]

Some cars these days are designed to have no spare wheel or some sort of space saver wheel. if the car is designed to have a spare then as above, I would not buy one without. Not sure what you are suggesting ordbrea, that all cars should have a spare regardless of whether it's designed to have one, ie put it on the back seat! The emg inflating system is perfectly valid and legal and in some ways a lot less hassle but the downside is that the tyre is ruined but as the tyre is flat it's probably ruined anyway.

[Hopkirk]

I felt uncomfortable enough with a spacesaver wheel. I would not go without.

However I wouldn't pay full price for the spare, I would take my new car to the breakers and get a cheapie to go in the slot.

[ChuckFickens]

The emergency inflation kits aren't a lot of use if you get a large hole in the tyre, such as tearing the side wall on a kerb or similar.

[baza]

volvo used to offer a spare wheel free on request otherwise you got the inflating kit thing. My question is, why do car makers still have the space for a spare wheel yet do not supply them,

[SlackAlice]

One of the deciding factors when I bought my new car, was that it came with a spare wheel albeit a spacesaver. Would not have bought it without.

Worked in my favour because I got a puncture in the first month of ownership, I kid you not!

[Canary42]

While punctures are a rarity these days, I certainly wouldn't go without a spare. Too risky.

[ChuckFickens]

I've got no problems with space saver spares as they will get you home or to a place of repair no matter what... I'd never buy a car with the emergency inflation kits for the reason I outlined above.

The last "puncture" I got was due to being forced of the edge of a narrow country lane by a large vehicle coming the other way at speed which caused me to rip the side-wall out of the tyre on a rock, in that situation I would have been stuck at the side of the road with an emergency inflation kit, as it was I could fit the space saver spare and drive home.

[chas2008]

its very common on modern vehicles, especially cabriolets (convertables), has been since before 2000, i know its a pain but not quite sure why all the fuss now...

[chas2008]

there is an alternative 'runflats',which are common on BMWs...no spare or inflation kit..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run-flat_tire

[ChuckFickens]

I know they are better now because they tune the suspension better for their fitment... but early BMWs with run flats had an uncomfortably harsh ride.

[Baldric]

I've just bought a motor with run flat (zero pressure) tyres, I was going to get the dealer to supply a spare, but there really was nowhere to store it in the vehicle, so RFs it is. A least there's a chance to get to a garage without messing about with a kit.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

A BMW on runflats.....you think a good idea......the wife damaged one on her car......best price off the net.......£350

[sigma]

If the car comes without a spare wheel and tyre, what about the jack and wheel brace.

[Paul22118]

Saw watchdog and was surprised. Bought new Fiat 500 recently and this morning checked to see (shame I know) if there was a spare. Pleased to say there is, so problem over or no problem anyway.

[robert551069]

If my car had no spare wheel I think it would be worthwhile joining the AA, RAC or Green Flag. In the event of a flat tyre they could then come to the rescue.

[MantaRay]

On some cars it's possible to opt for a space saver in place of the repair kit. Ask your dealer or a vehicle specific forum.