Space Saver Wheel - Is my paranoia justified?

[DV52]

I recently had need to lift the floor panel from the rear of my Golf (something I don't do often) and I noticed how snug the space saver wheel fitted into the car's boot well. I've had little experience with space saver wheels and I've read with some scepticism VW's claim (in the car manual) that they work as requied, when needed. That said, I'm not sure how the Golf will handle, or how safely the car would brake with the space saver fitted when travelling at 80kms/hr (I guess, fitted on the front of the car would be the most problematic). I assume that some aspects of the car's behaviour (like stopping distance) would be affected but I have no idea how impacting the compromise would be for the car's occupants.

Anyhow, solutions such as buying a full size tyre and wheel (from a wreckers rather than from our rapacious friends at VW) are academic if there is not enough space in the Golf's wheel well. Has anyone actually used a full size tyre as a spare in a mk7 Golf? If so, are there any consequences (like not being able to use the lower setting for the floor cover, or not being able to stow away the car-jack tools)?

If using a full size wheels is an viable option, I would welcome others views about my (small) paranoia for space saver spares. Are my suspicions justified, or do you simply recommend that I seek psychiatric help from a trained therapist?

[dylan8]

There is a few restrictions to them I think.
For example to be used on the rear of the car, and 80km/h max speed.
As you said it wouldn't be the greatest thing to drive on, but to get you back home from down at the shops or stuck in the middle of no where to the nearest town it would come in handy and do the trick

[elephino]

Space savers aren't the death traps some would have you believe. Yes, it is generally recommended not to fit it to a driving wheel (obviously impossible on a 4WD car). But the main thing to remember is that it is a temporary wheel designed to get you from where you have your flat to where you can get your flat replaced - not like some people I've seen do and drive about for a bit cos they couldn't be bothered replacing it as "it's a wheel, it works, aren't they all the same?"

They are a compromise as they are narrower, so have less grip and it creates an amount of imbalance with differing grip on each corner, plus the 80km/h restriction. So if you do ever fit it, drive carefully and allow bigger gaps to cars in front and generally take more care than you would otherwise. And most importantly, get the flat tyre fixed or replaced as soon as possible.

[kl85]

I had a 18x8 spare steelie in my car when I bought my R 2nd hand, I could not for the life of me figure out why the boot floor was sunken in on the left and right sides towards the tail lights. Pain in the ass cause I carried a lot of stuff in the boot, went for service last week and asked my mechanic about it and he swapped it for a proper space saver and now the boot is flushed. The space saver is to tide you through for a few days till u change your blown tyre anyways

[ajay1940]

I've driven on space savers, in the past, and can confirm that they are perfectly fine if you drive sensibly and remember that they are a compromise.

[Diesel_vert]

I recently had need to lift the floor panel from the rear of my Golf (something I don't do often) and I noticed how snug the space saver wheel fitted into the car's boot well. I've had little experience with space saver wheels and I've read with some scepticism VW's claim (in the car manual) that they work as requied, when needed. That said, I'm not sure how the Golf will handle, or how safely the car would brake with the space saver fitted when travelling at 80kms/hr (I guess, fitted on the front of the car would be the most problematic). I assume that some aspects of the car's behaviour (like stopping distance) would be affected but I have no idea how impacting the compromise would be for the car's occupants.

Space savers are for temporary use only and stated as such on the tyre sidewall, hence the T in the tyre size designation T 125/70 R18 99M. You'd be surprised how many motorists are not aware of this.

Physics will obviously dictate that any vehicle without identical wheels and tyres on all axles will behave differently or less predictably, hence the speed restriction of 80 km/h (which applies for any spare tyre of a different size, space saver or otherwise), so vehicle and tyre manufacturers advise driving in a cautious manner until the standard tyre is refitted, which of course should be done as soon as is practicable.

If a driver takes all the above information into account while driving, then I don't really foresee any significant problems (aside from the inconvenience of being restricted to 80 km/h and driving more cautiously).

Anyhow, solutions such as buying a full size tyre and wheel (from a wreckers rather than from our rapacious friends at VW) are academic if there is not enough space in the Golf's wheel well. Has anyone actually used a full size tyre as a spare in a mk7 Golf? If so, are there any consequences (like not being able to use the lower setting for the floor cover, or not being able to stow away the car-jack tools)?

At home, you could measure the tyre width and estimate how far the floor cover would be raised to give you an idea how much boot space you'd lose (given that a Highline is fitted with 225/45 R17 tyres as standard, I'm guessing quite a lot).

[ian]

This is what I did to my makk V

http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/r...ictures701.jpg

http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/r...ictures703.jpg

http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/r...ictures697.jpg

If now tucked the mat down behind the rear seat looks original ,

[readerr0r]

They're fine to drive on if they're on the non-drive wheel, plus you get roadside assist with VW so they can do it for you. My front wheel get a nasty egg on it and it was a rainy day, called up VW assit and RACQ guy came and put the good rear on the front and the space saver on the back. Drove pretty fine tbh, and the traction control would be able to balance out any nasty grip issues at those lower speeds with sensible driving.

[DV52]

This is what I did to my makk V

http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/r...ictures701.jpg


If now tucked the mat down behind the rear seat looks original ,

Ian, I'm finding it difficult to interpret your 1st pic. Looks like you made a false floor to fit-in the full sized wheel. Not sure if you are aware that the mkVII has two positions for the wheel well cover. I had assumed (perhaps even hoped) that the lower floor position on the mk7 would accomodate a full size spare. However, I've taken Diesel_vert's advice and measured the front wheel. I reckon that it would be a tight fit if it fits at all! Don't want to take off the wheel to confirm my suspicion. Would rather wait for someone who has actually put a full size wheel in the mk7 wheel well.

[ian]

Ian, I'm finding it difficult to interpret your 1st pic. Looks like you made a false floor to fit-in the full sized wheel. Not sure if you are aware that the mkVII has two positions for the wheel well cover. I had assumed (perhaps even hoped) that the lower floor position on the mk7 would accomodate a full size spare. However, I've taken Diesel_vert's advice and measured the front wheel. I reckon that it would be a tight fit if it fits at all! Don't want to take off the wheel to confirm my suspicion. Would rather wait for someone who has actually put a full size wheel in the mk7 wheel well.

The full size wheel in my case a 225/45/17 is the same diameter as the space saver ,I just dropped it into the spare wheel well ,now because it was 80 mil higher I placed some foam around the out side and cut some MDF over the top to take any weight then I replaced the mat . You will more than likely find your space saver and your driving wheels are the same diameter .


you can buy a full size spare in the UK so it will fit
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/16-VW-Golf-Ma...-/360832893790