Wheel and tyre sizes.

[Blades_fan]

I've just taken delivery of a new Vauxhall Insignia and there's no spare wheel, just a tyre repair kit, (compressor and a can of sealant).
I'm thinking about buying a full size steel spare as I don't rate the repair kit or space savers.
When I ordered the car I went for the alloy wheel option,18-inch with 245/45 R18 tyres, does the steel spare need to be exactly the same or will a 17-inch wheel with a 225/55 R17 tyre be ok?

Thanks in advance for any info.

[Blades_fan]

Thanks for that mdoo98...the recess is still in the boot for the spare, it's where Vauxhall have placed a tray with the tyre repair kit in.

[gsr600]

make sure the recess will accept the size wheel you want before you actually buy 1 my suzuki swift only had room for a spacesaver wheel.

[TWR]

Blades, my nephew has just purchased a £30.000 Vauxhall, don't ask me what model as I'm not sure, & again not sure if there was a Alloy / steel spare wheel, If I had paid that sort of money for a brand new car & found one of these kits in the car, before purchase they would have been given the choice, & proper wheel or no bye, its all more profit & sod the owners.

[Andyvon]

My brother bought his Lotus Elise about five years ago. That has no spare wheel as apparently there's no space. The car's just supplied with a can of Tyreweld under a small hatch. When I asked what someone's supposed to do if the puncture or damage is in the wall of the tyre - he just shrugged!

[MantaRay]

You will probably find that your dealer could supply a space saver that would fit in the wheel well. I realise this isn't what you are asking but at least you won't have to rely on the dreaded tyre repair kit in an emergency. I have just gone through this issue with a new car I have just purchased and can't help wondering why they just don't stick to spacesaver's, nobody is really happy with these silly repair kits.

[lozzer50]

i was very surprised when my new citroen c1 had a full size spare. my last car, a chevvy, only had an emergency space saver tyre!