Ditchfinders - Ok as a spare?

[mat777]

Hi all,

I think the spare on my Discovery 2 running 255/55/18's has a slow puncture as it feels very soft (will try pumping up and see if it holds pressure first before replacing, obvioudsly). Now, the tyres are all currently slightly chunky but still very road-biased Goodyear Wranglers with plenty of tread, and when they need replacing I was going to fit some Michelin Latitude Cross's at £130 or maybe stretch to some £150 Grabber AT's (this isnt a 100% tarmac Disco...). However, as big tyres are quite expensive and I'm but a poor student (especially since buying the bloody thing..) I was considering a ditchfinder along the lines of an Accelera or Nankang, which retail at a rather more reasonable £70. Now, I'd never fit such stty rubber for normal driving as I value my car and my life, but for a spare that will probably spend 10 years hanging off the back door and may get used once if at all, do you think I should if I drive very slowly when its in use?

[wst]

It'd be good for a week or so if your tyre place is having fun sourcing a decent replacement for the flatted tyre, but I'd want to go back to the non-spare wheel ASAP if I'm replacing a decent tyre with a ditchfinder.

That said, it's not a special spare. Just drive sensibly and you'll be fine (even if you left it on the axle until it wore to illegal). Don't have to stick to 50 or any of that nonsense.

[Zad]

Ditchfinders are absolutely fine unless you are driving at >9/10ths. so long as you aren't hoofing it around B roads or doing swerve tests on the motorway, I can't see them being a problem.

[anonymous-user]

I've done this, and yes I did adjust my driving style when the ditch finder was on the car, not as much as I would with a space saver or anything but just more gentle with the inputs and giving myself a bit of extra margin to play with.

[Megaflow]

Most cars come with a ditch finder as a spare these days anyway. The subtle difference being it is a decent manufacturer, but in half the size of normal and limit you to 50mph.

Given the choice, I'd rather have a full size spare every time, regardless of tyre make.

[HustleRussell]

'Ditchfinder' is a popular term applied by people who can't drive to the limitations of their own car.

[mister.t]

On a side note, I've got General AT's on my D2, 235/70 16's, they are brilliant both on and off road, well worth their price. They are silent at an 85mph cruise, and as capable as an AT could be.

[vit4]

I've got an 'Event' for the spare. Wouldn't keep it on longer than necessary but no point paying a premium for something that will seldom, if ever, see use. Just my tuppence

[matthias73]

HustleRussell said:

'Ditchfinder' is a popular term applied by people who can't drive to the limitations of their own car.

No, its a term used by car enthusiast about tyres that don't allow the car to perform to the best of its ability.

[MrBrightSi]

matthias73 said:

HustleRussell said:

'Ditchfinder' is a popular term applied by people who can't drive to the limitations of their own car.

No, its a term used by car enthusiast about tyres that don't allow the car to perform to the best of its ability.

See Nankangs

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

You're asking if it's ok to fit a spare tyre you're rarely, if ever going to use? Of course it's bloody ok...sheesh. What a dumb question.

[HustleRussell]

matthias73 said:

HustleRussell said:

'Ditchfinder' is a popular term applied by people who can't drive to the limitations of their own car.

No, its a term used by car enthusiast about tyres that don't allow the car to perform to the best of its ability.

Exactly, they lower the car's limits. But it is the driver's failure to drive to those limits which 'finds the ditch'.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

You're asking if it's ok to fit a spare tyre you're rarely, if ever going to use? Of course it's bloody ok...sheesh. What a dumb question.

I completely disagree.

If a tyre isn't good enough to be on your car today it's not good enough to be on there tomorrow.

Get a decent spare.

[HustleRussell]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

You're asking if it's ok to fit a spare tyre you're rarely, if ever going to use? Of course it's bloody ok...sheesh. What a dumb question.

I completely disagree.

If a tyre isn't good enough to be on your car today it's not good enough to be on there tomorrow.

Get a decent spare.

In all likelihood it's going to be bolted to the bootlid for the next 10 years, being slowly attacked by UV until it cracks up and starts leaking. I think a cheap tyre is good enough for this.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Not good enough for me.

[rumple]

HustleRussell said:

matthias73 said:

HustleRussell said:

'Ditchfinder' is a popular term applied by people who can't drive to the limitations of their own car.

No, its a term used by car enthusiast about tyres that don't allow the car to perform to the best of its ability.

Exactly, they lower the car's limits. But it is the driver's failure to drive to those limits which 'finds the ditch'.

I disagree with that, having owned Rwd cars for 20 years cheap tyre on a performance car are madness, having cut my teeth on V6 capri's all cheap tyres will do is make the car very unpredictable, nothing to do with driving to limits, they'd just go, also your going to be one day in a situation where your going to have to stop quick, tyres will make the difference between losing your no claims and having a laugh about it with mates afterwards.

[rumple]

P.s, Fine as a spare, just treat it like a spacesaver.

[r11co]

mat777 said:

I was considering a ditchfinder along the lines of an Accelera or Nankang...

Shame you picked out those two brands to call ditchfinders as they are nothing of the sort. In fact they are probably two of the best value brands on the market in terms of price 'v' performance (and a well kept secret by the cognoscenti as opposed to the prejudiced PH masses...)

rumple said:

I disagree with that, having owned Rwd cars for 20 years cheap tyre on a performance car are madness, having cut my teeth on V6 capri's all cheap tyres will do is make the car very unpredictable, nothing to do with driving to limits, they'd just go, also your going to be one day in a situation where your going to have to stop quick, tyres will make the difference between losing your no claims and having a laugh about it with mates afterwards.

Have your opinions, but the above statement is about as informative as someone trying to remember the entire contents of a newspaper from memory.

Edited by r11co on Sunday 26th August 12:57

[Countdown]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

You're asking if it's ok to fit a spare tyre you're rarely, if ever going to use? Of course it's bloody ok...sheesh. What a dumb question.

I completely disagree.

If a tyre isn't good enough to be on your car today it's not good enough to be on there tomorrow.

Get a decent spare.

Tyres are just ONE part of the equation. All driving is a compromise. All cars have different characteristics. For example RWD do not become lethal when it snows, they "may" become slightly more twitchy and any competent driver will drive according to the conditions. Similarly it is not (yet) compulsory for everybody to have FWD cars with brakes the size of dinner plates. It is not (yet) compulsory for everybody to drive at 30mph EVERYWHERE on the grounds that it is inherently safer. And you are not a heartless uncaring parent if you drive your kids in a car with less than 50 airbags.

[Countdown]

rumple said:

I disagree with that, having owned Rwd cars for 20 years cheap tyre on a performance car are madness, having cut my teeth on V6 capri's all cheap tyres will do is make the car very unpredictable, nothing to do with driving to limits, they'd just go, also your going to be one day in a situation where your going to have to stop quick, tyres will make the difference between losing your no claims and having a laugh about it with mates afterwards.

At the risk of stating the obvious, tyres don't just "go". They will go when the driver exceeds the amount of grip available. The amount of grip depends on speed, road condition, and quality of tyres. Hypothetically you could drive completely safely on tyres which were bald and at 16psi.