A space saver is a spare tyre that is made to be used in an emergency such as in case of having a flat tyre, or damaged tyres. Space tyres are used as alternative temporary tyres to get you to the nearest garage or home.
If your vehicle has a spare spare save wheel and tyres, you can find them under the boot floor. But not all vehicles come with a spare wheel these days, so you may need to buy one separately. We have made this complete guide to space saver wheels and Churchill Tyres Leicester so that you can understand more about spare tyres.
What is a Space Saver & When Should You Use It?
As we talk earlier, a space saver is lighter and smaller than a traditional spare tyre. For example, a universal spare wheel gets you moving in the event of a flat tyre or blowout. You can use a universal spare wheel as it is compatible with 80% of cars on the road in the UK.
The reason behind this name is that they are designed to save space and reduce weight compared to a full-size replacement wheel. But, although they are a great option, they have shallower and narrower tread depth compared to regular tyres and this means they are made to get your vehicle to the nearest garage in the case of a tyre failure. Space-saver wheels have speed limitations too, which are normally below 50 mph.
Space-saving spare wheels are only designed to be used in the case of a flat tyre or emergency. They are not driving for long distances and even at high speeds. If your car comes with a space saver as standard then you will find it under the boot floor.
If your vehicle does not come with a space saver, you may be able to buy one as an optional extra. But, take note, that a high number of modern vehicles are sold without spare wheels. Some cars are also unable to adjust a spare wheel of any size due to the fact they don’t have the space to store wheels.
Before purchasing a space-saving wheel, check if your car has enough space to store the wheel. Check the owner’s manual to see if your car is able to safely store the wheel. More storage space is available under the boot floor, especially SUVs that have enough space to store tyres under the chassis.
Don’t the mistake of purchasing a spare wheel and leaving it unsecured in the boot of your vehicle. Over time it may damage that car’s interior and could cause serious injury to the vehicle’s passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident. If your vehicle is unable to store a spare wheel then it’s important to have a suitable breakdown cover in place.
Are Space Saver Tyres Are Universal?
Space-saver wheels are usually universal, which means you can use them in almost all cars. As a rule, you should always check the vehicle’s handbook or reach out to a trusted mechanic before installing a space-saver spare wheel to your car.
Installing an incorrect wheel on your vehicle may have a negative effect on its road handling, which will make your car more difficult to control and you will face handling issues throughout driving.
What Size Spare Wheel Do I Need?
However, we strongly recommend having the same size wheel and tyre for your space saver. You can still drive your vehicle with different wheel sizes for a short period of time. As a rule of thumb, drivers shouldn’t use space-saver wheels and tyres that have a total radius that is 3% more or less than the stock tyre and wheel.
Can I Drive My Vehicle with a Space Saver Wheel?
You can use a saver spare wheel to drive your car, but the tyre will be smaller and thinner than the stock wheel. As a result, you may feel different handling and manoeuvring when a space saver has been fitted.
For instance, a car fitted with a space-saver wheel will have less traction and may have more chances of skidding or spinning when a heavy brake or acceleration is applied. For safety reasons, you should not drive your vehicle not exceed 50mph in a car that’s fitted with a space saver spare wheel.
A space-saver wheel is designed to get your vehicle to a safe space, where you can fit a new full-size tyre or call for roadside assistance. You should not treat a space saver spare wheel as a permanent replacement for your flat or defective tyre.
What is a Tyre Inflation Kit?
A tyre inflation kit is a small and portable tool to help drivers temporarily fix minor tyre damage and flat car Tyres Leicester. For many manufacturers, most modern vehicles come with tyre inflation kit rather than a space-saver wheel.
These kits include an air compressor, appliance kit, sealant and a pressure gauge. After you have used your repair kit, go to your nearest local garage as soon as possible to buy a new tyre.
