Discussion
I had a sidewall blowout on the inlaws Zafira, a 15 minute change to a spare instead turned into a 4 hour hour ordeal.
I can understand foam and space savers on small cars that don't have space, but when looking underneath the Zafira there is an acre of flat floor where a spare could be held in a cage.
The RS6 has foam and a compressor, but I'm not happy writing off a (rather expensive) tyre if it has a pin hole in the tread.
I can understand foam and space savers on small cars that don't have space, but when looking underneath the Zafira there is an acre of flat floor where a spare could be held in a cage.
The RS6 has foam and a compressor, but I'm not happy writing off a (rather expensive) tyre if it has a pin hole in the tread.
I think it's a money saving exercise and partly a short cut to reduce weight.
Stupid idea IMO.
Saying that, the amount of people I see at the side of the motorway with space saver propped up against the jack and driver sitting at the side of the road looking dejected!
They either can't undo the nuts, the space saver is flat or (If they're wimins.) can't work out how to do it anyways.
So. For those lot it's probably a good idea but then who wants to read the instructions on a can, at night on the side of the motorway with trucks whizzing by?
Stupid idea IMO.
Saying that, the amount of people I see at the side of the motorway with space saver propped up against the jack and driver sitting at the side of the road looking dejected!
They either can't undo the nuts, the space saver is flat or (If they're wimins.) can't work out how to do it anyways.
So. For those lot it's probably a good idea but then who wants to read the instructions on a can, at night on the side of the motorway with trucks whizzing by?
Ug_lee said:
I had a sidewall blowout on the inlaws Zafira, a 15 minute change to a spare instead turned into a 4 hour hour ordeal.
I can understand foam and space savers on small cars that don't have space, but when looking underneath the Zafira there is an acre of flat floor where a spare could be held in a cage.
Depending on which generation of Zafira a proper spare was an option new. However a lot of those that had them fitted also had them stolen (presumably by other Zafira owners who had no spare).I can understand foam and space savers on small cars that don't have space, but when looking underneath the Zafira there is an acre of flat floor where a spare could be held in a cage.
I've never had to use a space saver as I always carry one of the "Rima" plug kits - they're actually for motorbikes but work fine on cars and I've had no trouble with them.
Ream out puncture, slather adhesive on plug, plop plug in, reinflate tyre and off you go. Get tyre replaced later (or don't bother). I've had a plug save me a world of pain in my SL on a weekend going through the middle of Spain - try getting hold of a 285 rear in buttf
k middle of Spanish nowhere.
Ream out puncture, slather adhesive on plug, plop plug in, reinflate tyre and off you go. Get tyre replaced later (or don't bother). I've had a plug save me a world of pain in my SL on a weekend going through the middle of Spain - try getting hold of a 285 rear in buttf
k middle of Spanish nowhere.nipsips said:
Doesnt bother me having a spare wheel or not.
Nor me, car manufacturers not supplying one does make some sort of sense though. I've been to look at several cars to buy and when looking in the boot the spare is either bald, flat or both. They're out of sight so out of mind and it's illegal to carry a defective spare, but it's fine to not have one at all. For many cars full size spares were optional extras anyway.
Edited by Big Fat Fatty on Friday 1st March 14:35
Big Fat Fatty said:
300bhp/ton said:
Big Fat Fatty said:
it's illegal to carry a defective spare
Not sure that's correct.It was something told to me by my dad, who probably said it so I'd look after it, the git.
Isn't that what your dad was talking about?
C
I've only wanted to use a spare once in my 15 years of driving, and on that occasion I couldn't get to the spare wheel because the boot was full of heavy things... so I couldn't care less, personally.
Besides, most decent cars have different sized wheels front-to-back so you'd need two spares.
Besides, most decent cars have different sized wheels front-to-back so you'd need two spares.
I've had an elise,TT, and 3 series all of which had at most a can of "get you home" foam.
I've never had to use it - ever.
The amount of usage (none) I'd have had from a spare in my driving career is more than offset by the usefulness of the space under the boot full of jump leads, tow ropes and the like, which I have used to help others in that time.
I can change wheels by the way - I think it ought to be part of the driving test. I just don't see the point in lugging one around all the time on the offchance that once every 20 years I might have a use for one.
C
I've never had to use it - ever.
The amount of usage (none) I'd have had from a spare in my driving career is more than offset by the usefulness of the space under the boot full of jump leads, tow ropes and the like, which I have used to help others in that time.
I can change wheels by the way - I think it ought to be part of the driving test. I just don't see the point in lugging one around all the time on the offchance that once every 20 years I might have a use for one.
C
CraigyMc said:
The spare is checked during an MOT though, isn't it?
Isn't that what your dad was talking about?
C
Could be, I took him at his word though so always replaced the spare if and when it needed to be. In ten years I've only used one but always replaced the bald and flat ones bought with new (to me) cars Isn't that what your dad was talking about?
C
Mr2Mike said:
CraigyMc said:
The spare is checked during an MOT though, isn't it?
The spare is not a testable item. Some MOT testers will inspect it and let you know if it's unserviceable though.It is checked - but is not something your car can fail on, even if it's worn through to the canvas. The MOT chappie is supposed to "inform" you about it.
MOT Book said:
This inspection applies to tyres fitted to the road wheels only. The vehicle presenter should be informed when it is noticed that there is a defective tyre on a spare wheel.
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