Space Saver Wheel - Is my paranoia justified?

[flight]

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?

DV52 I drove a Golf V for 8 years with a skinny spare in the boot and never needed it. Maybe I'm just lucky, but the spare also stayed inflated. If I were you, I would be happy to have a skinny spare and not have to cope with 4 run-flat tyres that you will find on other German cars. With the run-flats, Sod's law will dictate that punctures occur a long way from any place that sells such tyres and has one in stock in your hour of need.

[midlifecrisis]

A dealer told me the 225 alloy will fit with a bit if plastic cutting away. I like the idea but no one seems to be selling stock highline wheels at a decent price. Only sets of four.

[wai]

Ok, how many flat tyres have you had?

I drove some 30,00 km in my Mini (genuine one), and had just one flat tyre.

I drove some 350,000 km in my Torana, and had 2 flat tyres. As for tyre failures, my spare ruptured while in the boot! I've posted pictures somewhere here.

I drove some 130,000 km in my Toyota Hiace and had NO flat tyres. In fact, when I traded it in on my Caddy, the dealer was absolutely amazed I never had to ever remove the jack and toolkit from under the passenger's seat! He asked me about the toolkit and jack, and I told him it is still under the passenger's seat and It has to be everything as I have never had to remove it.

The reality is that in the main, you are rarely going to have a flat tyre, and this is why a spacesaver one is provided. Yes, it is speed limited. So what, they are perfectly OK as long as you keep within their limits. It will get you to a tyre repairer where the puncture will be fixed or you get a new tyre. Let's face it, you are not going to want to carry that normal wheel around as you won't be able to carry anything else.

Look at it this way. You are carrying around a lot less weight for that off chance you might need it.

[midlifecrisis]

I've lost (close sidewall puncture) once a year for the last three years of my SUVs life. Builders/tradies dropping screws.

Its peace of mind, convienance and safety to have a full sized spare so I'm keen to see if an equitable solution can be found.

[Diesel_vert]

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.

The diameter of any spare wheel and tyre assembly (space saver or otherwise) supplied by the factory should be very close, if not identical, to those fitted on vehicle's axles.

The issue lies with the width of the standard tyre.

If we assume a T 125/70 R18 99M tyre has a width of approximately 125 mm, and a 225/45 R17 91W tyre has a width of approximately 225 mm, then that is a protrusion of approximately 100 mm (give or take) into the boot area.

I don't know if a Mk7 Golf can accommodate that protrusion without raising the floor cover to its highest position (if at all):

A dealer told me the 225 alloy will fit with a bit if plastic cutting away. I like the idea but no one seems to be selling stock highline wheels at a decent price. Only sets of four.

...

you can buy a full size spare in the UK so it will fit
16" VW Golf Mark 7 2012 2014 Full Size Spare Wheel AND Kumho Tyre | eBay

If full vehicle capability is desired when the spare wheel and tyre is fitted, they must be identical in size to those fitted on the vehicle's axles. If the vehicle is fitted with 225/45 R17 91W tyres, there is little point in purchasing a standard 195/65 R15 91H or 205/55 R16 91V tyre as a spare, as you'd still be inconvenienced by the 80 km/h limit due to the size difference.

This is all to do with maintaining the vehicle's dynamic integrity, rather than any limitation of the tyre itself (the space saver tyre has a speed symbol of M, which indicates a maximum speed of 130 km/h), as fitting a differently sized wheel and tyre assembly is akin to fitting a different spring and damper in only one corner.

[midlifecrisis]

The floor must be raised to highest level in mk7 to fit full sized spare but I'm fine with that. Space for a torch and some odd bits and pieces.

[tigger73]

Just to add my 2c.... If you're going to do any country driving then a full size spare is almost essential IMHO. Around the city you can get away with a space saver as the speeds/distances are generally lower anyway.

Also I seem to remember there was some distance limit with the space saver as to how far you could travel on one. I'd check the manual first and if you're likely to exceed the distance/speed restrictions of a space saver (or be greatly inconvenienced by it) then go for a full-size spare and make mods to the boot floor to accommodate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hoi polloi]

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.

Is that a real size you've listed for the temporary? A speed rating of "M" is 130km/h... I thought most are 80km/h only...

-Anthony.

[Eaglehawk]

Oh man...you mean it's always been an 80mph limit?

I'm pretty sure the yellow writing on the tyre wall overrides the code.

I've used the spare in my Golf MkV twice, but being in Canberra, you don't need a full size spare. If I drove to Sydney more often, then I'd get worried.

[Diesel_vert]

Also I seem to remember there was some distance limit with the space saver as to how far you could travel on one. I'd check the manual first and if you're likely to exceed the distance/speed restrictions of a space saver (or be greatly inconvenienced by it) then go for a full-size spare and make mods to the boot floor to accommodate.

Run flat tyres that are completely deflated are restricted to speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) and a distance of 80 km (50 mi.), unless specified otherwise by the vehicle manufacturer. For instance, BMW states their vehicles can be driven up to a distance of between 50 km (30 mi.) and 250 km (150 mi.) depending on the vehicle load.

A T-type temporary spare tyre (space saver) is physically limited in driving distance only by its tread depth, like a standard tyre.

EDIT: Any temporary spare tyre (T-type or standard) should ideally be fitted on a non-driven axle. If it has a significantly different rolling circumference, and if it must be fitted on a driven axle for whatever reason, the driven distance should not exceed 200 km or 125 mi. in order to prevent damage to the vehicle's driveline.

Is that a real size you've listed for the temporary?

Yes.

A speed rating of "M" is 130km/h... I thought most are 80km/h only...

Space savers are limited to 80 km/h or 50 mph, irrespective of the tyre's maximum speed capability - this includes standard wheels and tyres of a different size to that fitted on the vehicle's axles.

Again, this is all to do with maintaining the vehicle's dynamic integrity and safety, rather than any limitation of the tyre itself.

Oh man...you mean it's always been an 80mph limit?

130 km/h (80 mph) is the maximum speed capability (at 420 kPa or 60 psi) of most T-type temporary tyres.

I'm pretty sure the yellow writing on the tyre wall overrides the code.

That is absolutely correct.