Don't chuck the spare wheel

I know a few people have dumped their spare wheels to fit a big sub and reckon they're OK with puncture foam, but today I had to use mine. A big split-pin went in through the tread and out through the sidewall, causing a bit of rim damage on its way. When I tried the foam stuff, the exit hole was so big that nothing sealed and I had to rely on a (fortunately unused and inflated) j-spec 13 year old space-saver. And I was in France... I drove a good hundred mile home at 48mph, but without that space-saver, I'd still be in France, probably in a bar drowning my sorrows, waiting for a tyre dealer to get a 275/35x18 for me.

jesus.. I better go have a look..

thats what the RAC or AA is for, thats if your soop is staying in britian but good if your not

ive had to fall back on the space saver a couple of times now. its definitely staying in my car

thats what the RAC or AA is for, thats if your soop is staying in britian but good if your not

I think you'll find that unless you have a servicable spare, even with AA or RAC cover you'll be splashing the cash. At least that's what I had to do about 5 years ago.

Yeah that's still the policy, checked mine a couple of weeks back

Could try telling them that you've just got 2 punctures though, and let down a corresponding sides other tyre.

Why would you call the AA/RAC if you had a servicable spare? Some cars don't have spare wheels at all.

i have heard about that, some say that if you have the premium service you wont get charged, others have said it depends on the driver if he implements the charge, but if i ever get a boot install and its either have the wheel or not i know what i will be choosing

Why would you call the AA/RAC if you had a servicable spare? Some cars don't have spare wheels at all.

if you have a boot install

i have heard about that, some say that if you have the premium service you wont get charged, others have said it depends on the driver if he implements the charge, but if i ever get a boot install and its either have the wheel or not i know what i will be choosing

I was told by the operator on the end of the phone that there would be a call out fee due to no spare.

The cars that don't have spares are supposed to carry the foamy stuff aren't they? Like I say this was, woah probably more like 8 or 9 years ago actually. so there probably wasn't many cars about that used the foam???

I know a few people have dumped their spare wheels to fit a big sub and reckon they're OK with puncture foam, but today I had to use mine. A big split-pin went in through the tread and out through the sidewall, causing a bit of rim damage on its way. When I tried the foam stuff, the exit hole was so big that nothing sealed and I had to rely on a (fortunately unused and inflated) j-spec 13 year old space-saver. And I was in France... I drove a good hundred mile home at 48mph, but without that space-saver, I'd still be in France, probably in a bar drowning my sorrows, waiting for a tyre dealer to get a 275/35x18 for me.

Yeah, I know that feeling.

Before IanC pipes up, I better own up to having a problem last year on the way back from Le Mans. Tyre was flat in Rouen. Space saver got me to Calais and then back to Norwich.

We reckon we did about 300 miles (plus!) at about 50mph.

But, hey....it got me home!

(But getting overtaken by a combine harverster on a low-loader was the height of humiliation as we had 4 Supes in convoy!)

I sold my spare as it doesn't fit over the Brembo's.

I've got a can of that foam stuff but I don't expect it to be any use. No punctures....yet !

i know that the vectra c one which came with 19s as standard didnt come with a spare so whats happens if they get a flat

Corvettes have different size wheels front to back IIRC - surely they don't have spares?

Its still d policy. we been with d AA since 1989 n have d top package but no spare means call out charge n charge for them getting a wheel with tyre to fit yours. stupid really but my spare came in handy twice...once wen I smashed front alloy, 2nd I hadx blow out on M25.

Trust me guys keep em!

Surj

I sold my spare as it doesn't fit over the Brembo's.

 

I've got a can of that foam stuff but I don't expect it to be any use. No punctures....yet !

You know the Uk spares are different to the J-Spec? Maybe a UK one would fit over at leat the rears???

I'm keeping my spare, I had a blow out a couple of years ago and there wasn't much of the tyre left.

Corvettes have different size wheels front to back

You know the Uk spares are different to the J-Spec

The Supra does if you're measuring rolling diameter. My space-saver is no the same diameter as my rear tyres... makes for interesting handling:blink:

It did cross my mind that the j-spec space-saver might not have fitted on the front with my UK brakes.

Damn, this brings a good point as I'm going to US front brakes soon. One more thing to check. Good thing I have ADAC.

You know the Uk spares are different to the J-Spec? Maybe a UK one would fit over at leat the rears???

Caveat. If you have a PLATE type LSD you MUST run tyres of the SAME rolling diameter on each rear side. A viscous type will get mad hot, if the tyres are different diameters, but a plate type will be buggered in short order.

It did cross my mind that the j-spec space-saver might not have fitted on the front with my UK brakes.

Yeah me too, so a J-Spec wheel will definatly NOT go over UK Brakes??

Is the hub pattern on the rotor different US/UK to Jspec? If so, I will have a problem when going to US fronts while keeping Jspec rears. If not, as written above, is the spare different between the cars? If so, I'll be looking for a UK/US spare wheel.

I dont keep mine in the car ! so might have to but if im putting subs in then will have to go!

This is something that has been in the back of my mind for a while.

I currently have no spare and aftermarket 18s - surely a stock space saver is going to be as usefull as a chocky teapot?

I've thought about the foam stuff, but not convinced by reports of its (lack of) effectiveness.

What do others in this situation do? get an single 18" and try and cram it in the boot? (leaving no space for my roof)