Spacesaver wheels

[TerryIvybridge]

As we are about to pick up the Mondeo, I was wondering if this type of wheel is legal fitted, in the event of a puncture whilst towing the 'van? Never liked them, look blimmin' daft anyway. Any views people? I was thinking of buying a used steel and tyre.

 

[Tukums]

When I got my new car in January a tyre repair kit was standard which consisted of a can of gunk and a 12v inflator, I could have got an option of a space saver wheel. I was that confident, I just ordered a full size steel spare with a quality tyre for an extra £75.00, now I am confident if I have a punture.
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/non-standard-spare-wheels.html

 

[Damian]

Having had the dubious pleasure of a spacesaver spare, I found out that it was illegal to use it AND tow the van.
It is intended ONLY to be used to get the car, and just the car, to the nearest tyre depot and get the full size wheel changed or repaired, if repair is possible.

It is not meant to get you to your destination, and certainly not with a van in tow.

 

[DeliDave_]

iirc I had a note with my RAC arrival package that if there was no serviceable spare wheel they would help but it was chargeable,a spare wheel would look cheap compared to that

 

[TerryIvybridge]

Thanks for the posts folks. It is as i thought then. Spare steel wheel for me tomorrow at £30 including little used tyre.

 

[ProfJohnL]

In the absence of any other advice or knowledge, you must assume the space saver has limited abilities, such as 50mph max speed, limited range, and possibly limitation as to towing, BUT. if a car is subject to such limitations the manufacturer shoudl advise as such in teh cars handbook.
You would have to check with the manufacturer for confirmation

 

[PR]

Looking to replace our space saver spare wheel in the Freelander2 with a proper spare wheel prior to jaunt round France in a few weeks time. Don't fancy towing with a space saver!

 

[weejock]

The thing is some cars just cannot take a full size spare. My tow car has a collapsible spare wheel which luckily I have not had the "pleasure" of using but accept that one day I may just have to. I would still much rather have this fall back than a tin of foam when faced with a burst sidewall mind you. Even if I had to trundle along at 30-40 it maybe worth it to get to the next town.

 

[malcolm1945]

Empty post (likely not intentional - probably an Internet Explorer issue!)

 

[Parksy]

Hi Malc
Your text hasn't loaded on to the message board probably because IE9 is not compatible with modern internet forums.
Click Here for easy to follow instructions on how to rectify this, or better still download a more up to date browser such as Google Chrome

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Why are spacesaver wheels called 'spacesaver'? I have a 2007 Vectra (bought new) and the spacesaver wheel in the boot well was propped up by a thick 3 inch plastic ring (it came as manufacturer-supplied as new) in order to hold the boot floor level. The first thing I did was to buy a new steel wheel with tyre and put it in the boot. There is only a slight rise in the boot floor where it goes over the the standard size spare wheel. For 'spacesaver' read 'cheap & nasty'.!!
Spacesavers are deigned to get you to the nearest tyre depot (distance 30 miles) at max 50 mph. What happens on a Sunday afternoon, or overnight when they are all closed?

 

[DeliDave_]

cost saver not spacesaver

 

[Lutz]

I found out that it was illegal to use it AND tow the van.
It is intended ONLY to be used to get the car, and just the car, to the nearest tyre depot and get the full size wheel changed or repaired, if repair is possible.

It is not meant to get you to your destination, and certainly not with a van in tow.

I can't see the logic of the illegality of driving with a space saver wheel while the caravan is attached because the space saver must also be suitable in the event of an emergency when the car is solo and fully laden. As maximum permitted axle load is the same with or without the caravan, surely the fact that there is a caravan attached is immaterial.

 

[NigelHutson]

Couldn't agree more Lutz!

 

[Damian]

Quote "I can't see the logic of the illegality of driving with a space saver wheel while the caravan is attached "

Dont ask me ! I dont make the rules, but that is what the very nice man from VOSA informed me as he looked after my van whilst I went in search of a tyre .

Also, when I actually read the car handbook and found the miniscule amount of information on the spacesaver, it said "The spacesaver is NOT suitble for use when towing and shoud not be used"

 

[Lutz]

Unless the car manufacturer has explicitly stated that a spacesaver is not suitable for towing (as in your case) I find it difficult to believe that there is actually a law prohibiting its use. To my knowledge, Vehicle Construction and Use Regulations don't even mention spacesaver tyres.

 

[xtrailman]

When i checked the xtrails temporary tyre the load rating was a lot lower than the road tyres fitted.
So i would say that if the car is fully loaded then some of the load should be removed?
IMO these tyres should be made illegal.
annoyingly in Australia the spare is a normally rated one (i believe), also although the new Mazda CX 5 comes with NO spare in the UK, the Aussies get a space saver.
I have sent Mazda a email asking why, OK its probably due to the rough roads in Australia, but a full sized tyre isn't even a option, I've ask why that's the case also.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Nissan stated in my last X Trail handbook NOT TO BE USED FOR TOWING

 

[xtrailman]

Nissan stated in my last X Trail handbook NOT TO BE USED FOR TOWING

Yes John i know.
But what i am saying is the car solo if fully loaded IMO shouldn't use a load saver.

Our Rotherham taxis are prohibited from using space savers, a normally rated tyre must be used, or no license.

 

[ProfJohnL]

This subject has a very large grey area.

It is no good trying to apply one manufacturers instructions for using a spacesaver wheel to an unrelated vehicle.

You have to follow the instructions for your specific make and model of car. Even different models form the same manufacture may have differnt instructions.

If you cannot find your instructions, then it is sensible to reduce speed, loads (inc trailers etc) until you can confirm the correct instructions for your car.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Nissan stated in my last X Trail handbook NOT TO BE USED FOR TOWING

Yes John i know.
But what i am saying is the car solo if fully loaded IMO shouldn't use a load saver.

Our Rotherham taxis are prohibited from using space savers, a normally rated tyre must be used, or no license.

Ray

I was really answering/agreeing with Lutz but this "Quote" didn't appear

"Unless the car manufacturer has explicitly stated that a spacesaver is not suitable for towing (as in your case) I find it difficult to believe that there is actually a law prohibiting its use"

I agree also with your comments !

Both my Nissan XT and the Kuga had space savers and I immediately sourced a rim off ebay and had a tyre fitted the same as the standard Dunlop and Continental
Thus ensuring no punctures for 4 years
The purchased snowsocks have also ensured a snow free driving winter as anticipated

I put away the snow scoop yesterday so beware

 

[JohnGriffiths]

Nissan stated in my last X Trail handbook NOT TO BE USED FOR TOWING

Despite saying this in the handbook, I had the following correspondence from Nissan:-

"Although the wheel is smaller in diameter than the 17" or 18" alloys fitted as standard, the overall rolling radius is of an equivalent specification, and I can confirm that it is suitable to use this spare when towing (as verified by NMGB Technical)."
"Whilst we appreciate that from a customer point of view it is desirable to have a spare wheel of the exact same type as the main wheels, the spare is only ever intended as a temporary use item to allow for continued travel to a place that can provide repair/replacement. As the X-Trail spare can perform this role without concern, the vehicle's performance is not in any way compromised."
I mentioned to them it might be a good idea to make this clear in the handbook as this was putting off people who wanted a towcar, but I had no further communication.

 

[anotherDavid]

After reading this I had a look at the spacesaver on my E Class Merc. The tyre has a notice limiting speed to 80Km and advice to replace ASAP. On the tyrewall its says load not to exceed 1060 KG. The car has a max rear axle load of 1360kg thus if the spacesaver was fitted and the car was loaded to its maximum, to the rear it would be subjected to a load of 680kg giving a factor of safety of 1.55:1 If fitted to the front the load would be 530kg giving a FoS of 2. It would apear to be a good idea to use on the front just in case another puncture occoured on the same axle
There is no mention of towing limitations in the handbook. It is obiously fit for purpose but would still have prefered a proper tyre as this is narrower but of the same diameter and does not save a lot of space only a little weight

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Nissan stated in my last X Trail handbook NOT TO BE USED FOR TOWING

Despite saying this in the handbook, I had the following correspondence from Nissan:-

"Although the wheel is smaller in diameter than the 17" or 18" alloys fitted as standard, the overall rolling radius is of an equivalent specification, and I can confirm that it is suitable to use this spare when towing (as verified by NMGB Technical)."
"Whilst we appreciate that from a customer point of view it is desirable to have a spare wheel of the exact same type as the main wheels, the spare is only ever intended as a temporary use item to allow for continued travel to a place that can provide repair/replacement. As the X-Trail spare can perform this role without concern, the vehicle's performance is not in any way compromised."
I mentioned to them it might be a good idea to make this clear in the handbook as this was putting off people who wanted a towcar, but I had no further communication.

I had phone call from them in wihich they grudgingly agreed that it could be used to tow to the nearest garage
Not ideal if you are going for a ferry or indeed anywhere as my tyre dealer took a few days to get the X Trail tyre size in stock
They are just covering themselves with the disclaimer in the handbook
It was a big disappointment after 3 X Trails with proper spare and even an alloy one on the Columbia to find the no tow clause

 

[otherclive]

My Xc 70 has a space saver and the max load is well within the cars max load on the rear axle. It can be used for towing with the normal 50 mph max speed and up to 50 miles was a distance given to me. I cannot fit a full size spare in the well as the depth is too shallow due to the rear AWD hardware and I don't plan on loading any more large items in the car. If needed I would either drive to the nearest tyre dealer or get Mayday or Volvo Assist to bring a tyre out. I don't tow through the night so tyre availability should be reasonable albeit with some inconvenience expected. Not too sure about fitting space saver to front to ease load as of the three punctures I have ever had all were at the front. It's where you seem to pick up the sharp bits. also to keep road side risk down why spend time with extra jacking and wheel swooping?