Spare tyre

[Alb]

The overall diameter is important which is why it was the same, and it's a relatively trivial matter to achieve this. The car would throw ESP faults if it saw one wheel apparently rotating at a different speed.

 

[PeterHR2]

This topic already had my attention, as I was on the point of getting a space saver for my MG5 FL before a Discovery Sport recently reconfigured its front end (and am now contemplating an MGS5).

The confusion that reigns could be averted if car manufacturers (as I guess it's not only an MG issue) listed recommended space-saver sizes in the tyres/data sections of the car's handbook in the event a spare not being supplied with the vehicle (which seems increasingly the norm, if not already the case).

I had two punctures in the last year in my MG5 and in neither case was the gunk helpful. Frankly, I find it daft having to call out the AA (or whoever) to attend an unrepairable puncture, which I had to do in one case. Luckily, in the second instance (and the point I realised I really needed a spare) I just about managed to limp/hop home (5 to 6 miles) by getting sufficient air into it to keep it above 0.8 bar for 200-300 metres.

I'd hazard that storage space for such a necessity could also be designed into the 'frunk' of a large number of EVs, so as not to impact luggage/boot capacity.

 

[MG Clive]

At one of the car shows I attended with a car club, one of the lads came up to me and said he had punctured 2 of his tyres, and he didn't know what to do, the Mrs and I were eating our lunch at the time, so I said give me 10 minutes and I'll come an repair them for him. He looked quite bemused, but left us to our lunch.

10 minutes later I went over to where he was parked, and I repaired both punctures for him, and he happily drove home without any further problem.

The moral of the story is, why doesn't everybody carry one of these kits in their car, just like I've done for 20 years or so.

 

[PeterHR2]

At one of the car shows I attended with a car club, one of the lads came up to me and said he had punctured 2 of his tyres, and he didn't know what to do, the Mrs and I were eating our lunch at the time, so I said give me 10 minutes and I'll come an repair them for him. He looked quite bemused, but left us to our lunch.

10 minutes later I went over to where he was parked, and I repaired both punctures for him, and he happily drove home without any further problem.

The moral of the story is, why doesn't everybody carry one of these kits in their car, just like I've done for 20 years or so.

Wow! That's much better than gunk. I wondered at first whether that was legal in the UK, but it seems it is. I think I will invest in one of those kits.

Sadly, in both my recent cases that would not have been even a temporary option as I had sidewall damage from pothole encounters (image shows my second instance).

Edit: I see Halfords do one

 

[Kithmo]

It isn't uncommon to have a space saver that only fits the rears for high performance cars (i.e. those with larger front brake callipers). I've had this on two previous cars.

Am I remembering correctly, but early on when space saver spare wheels first came out (late 80s, early 90s ?), wasn't it recommended that they were always to be fitted to the rears anyway ?

 

[MikeM]

If anyone is interested I have just removed the tool storage to see what the space looks like. I can confirm there is no way to store a space-saver flat under the floor. The recess is too short front to back and the rear edge is sloped. Tapping reveals there is body structure directly underneath it.

Disagree. I have had the space saver wheel that I had in my ZS in the S5 since the day it arrived in May. It's very slightly tight in it's depth but it works OK.

 

[TimothyN]

I've slightly lost the track of who is disagreeing with whom about what, but I put photos here
Post in thread 'Spare tyre'
Spare tyre

Of how perfectly it fits in mine.