Why no spare tyre?

saitrix · 1 Apr 2007 at 22:34

Muncher said:
Yeah that's what I meant, i.e. it is part of the test if you do have one.

If I had one with questionable tread I'd just leave it in the house for the MOT test. It is what I'm doing tomorrow as my normal tyres are 185/70 and my spare is 175/70 so it is slightly different diameter, didnt want to fail just for that.

Dolph · 1 Apr 2007 at 22:39

James_N said:
It is suprising when you think about the things most likely to go wrong on a journey. Flat tyres are a fairly regular occourance, also when you think of the amount of miles some fleet cars do.

I think I've had to change a flat twice in ten years, both times on my parents driveway where there was alternative transport available anyway should I had not had a spare.

Would you still think that sat at the side of the road with a flat though

Dunno, probably, because that's what I pay my roadside recovery membership for

And in contrast to the OP, the longest I've ever waited for them was about 30 mins, and the only other time I called them they turned up in 5 :eek:

. I'm a big RAC fan for that reason alone

More boot space, less weight and no crappy spacesaver ***!

Lopéz · 1 Apr 2007 at 22:46

Muncher said:
I thought having one with insufficient tread was a failure though?

No.

The Testers Manual
4.1 Tyres
Information Method of Inspection Reason for rejection
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.

So no, it is not a failure because it is not part of the test. Just like your rear wiper.

Think about it. The MOT tester is not allowed to disassemble or disturb ANY are of the car other than opening the bonnet, doors, boot, and checking for corrosion with a corrosion inspection tool. So on the vast majority of cars on the road you wouldn't even see the spare never mind be able to inspect it.

wonder_lander · 1 Apr 2007 at 23:08

Wifey couldn't bring me back with an MX5!!

I'm going to see if I can get a spare, the Alfa does 100 miles a day up and down the M6, this is the second time in nearly 17 years of driving that I've had a flat tyre!!!

Dave85 · 1 Apr 2007 at 23:41

If I have a spare but its the original 15" with a big normal tyre. my current wheels are 18" with low profiles would I be okay if I broke down with puttin on the spare wheel for a short distance even tho its a smaller size but bigger tyre and needs a spacer ?

or should I quickly get on ebay and buy a extra 18 lol

James_N · 1 Apr 2007 at 23:48

Dolph said:
I called them they turned up in 5 . I'm a big RAC fan for that reason alone

Same here. The one time ive needed the RAC, they were here in 5-10 mins

Amazing service!

sablabra · 1 Apr 2007 at 23:49

Firestar_3x said:
Thats your problem, you looked in the trunk....

Yeah, I kinda searched the glove compartment but I couldn't locate any tyre...

Btw, I'm not british so we may misinterpret each other

Durzel · 2 Apr 2007 at 00:18

I've had to remove my spare tyre to fit my sound system into the car, and to be honest I don't think I will miss it (touch wood). I don't think I've had to fit a spare wheel in the last 5+ years or more.

InvaderGIR · 2 Apr 2007 at 00:30

Never had a flat, got a blow out at 60 though, that was interesting...but I had a spare so was ok.

I've found the RAC are a decent company to get breakdown cover from. I blew the engine of my 306 (well over a year ago now), just as I pulled into work 50miles from home. I called them there and then, they were there within minutes, and asked if I wanted to go home or if I wanted them to come back when I'd finished work. I started and finished work (9-5), and when I walked out the door the RAC man was there waiting with his trailer hitch thing out the back of the van waiting for the car to be put on it.

InvG

tonyyeb · 2 Apr 2007 at 09:27

DAvE18 said:
If I have a spare but its the original 15" with a big normal tyre. my current wheels are 18" with low profiles would I be okay if I broke down with puttin on the spare wheel for a short distance even tho its a smaller size but bigger tyre and needs a spacer ?

I hope you are joking!

Poppy · 2 Apr 2007 at 10:49

tonyyeb said:
I hope you are joking!

Why would he be joking? Seems perfectly fine to me. Its like fitting a space saver to your car when u get a puncture.

Phaser · 2 Apr 2007 at 11:00

My Dad bought a new Kia Picanto - the guy said they've stopped putting spare tyres in small cars as when they crash the spare tyre can cause impact/damage to the driver etc. :confused:

MikeHunt79 · 2 Apr 2007 at 11:02

DAvE18 said:
If I have a spare but its the original 15" with a big normal tyre. my current wheels are 18" with low profiles would I be okay if I broke down with puttin on the spare wheel for a short distance even tho its a smaller size but bigger tyre and needs a spacer ?

or should I quickly get on ebay and buy a extra 18 lol

Just make sure the outer diameter is the same or close, and you'll be fine, as diffs don't like different size wheels.

Muncher · 2 Apr 2007 at 11:17

I stand corrected, thanks

tonyyeb · 2 Apr 2007 at 13:56

Poppy said:
Why would he be joking? Seems perfectly fine to me. Its like fitting a space saver to your car when u get a puncture.

So long as the outer diameter is close (as MikeHunt79 says) then it will be fine, just the thought of a car driving along with 2" diameter diff driving along.

Phil W · 2 Apr 2007 at 14:01

tonyyeb said:
So long as the outer diameter is close (as MikeHunt79 says) then it will be fine, just the thought of a car driving along with 2" diameter diff driving along.

Its probably no where near that, don't forget large wheels will have smaller profile tyres, the difference in diameter between the 15" and 18" wheel is probably less than 1".

Slackworth · 2 Apr 2007 at 14:11

There is no room in the 1 Series for a spare so they put Runflat tyres on instead. Handy in a way but make the ride harder than it needs to be and aren't as good handling wise.

A lot of people are taking them off but don't know if I fancy a can of that foam rubbish.

tonyyeb · 2 Apr 2007 at 15:32

Slackworth said:
There is no room in the 1 Series for a spare so they put Runflat tyres on instead. Handy in a way but make the ride harder than it needs to be and aren't as good handling wise.

A lot of people are taking them off but don't know if I fancy a can of that foam rubbish.

Yeah isn't the battery in the boot on the 130 cause there is no room in the engine bay? The ride is quite harsh with the run flats in the 130.

tonyyeb · 2 Apr 2007 at 15:33

Phil W said:
Its probably no where near that, don't forget large wheels will have smaller profile tyres, the difference in diameter between the 15" and 18" wheel is probably less than 1".

I know that but he could have a low profile on the 15" in which case the diff will be bigger than 1".

Slackworth · 3 Apr 2007 at 00:06

tonyyeb said:
Yeah isn't the battery in the boot on the 130 cause there is no room in the engine bay? The ride is quite harsh with the run flats in the 130.

Yup

One of the reasons I preferred to have an SE spec.