Rich Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 We already know this but it seems alot of people are getting caught out with new cars when they get a flat and having to call a breakdown company. I think it's madness to not include a spare wheel and I will certainly base future car buying decisions on whether they have one or not. Or at least the well to put one in. The missus cousin got a flat on his Gen 8 Civic and there was no spare so he had to take the wheel off, get a lift to the tyre place and a new one fitted. If you have no one to give you that lift you're stuffed! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2228999/David-Derbyshire-Why-dont-cars-spare-tyres-more.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I agree its madness - not everything can bit fixed with a can of tyre weld at the side of the road. Must be due to cost cutting and trying to eek better MPG out of the cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 It was law that you must have a means to get off the motorway in the event you get a flat. I know they give you a tin of repair spray but this won't help with a blowout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 It was law that you must have a means to get off the motorway in the event you get a flat. I know they give you a tin of repair spray but this won't help with a blowout. You don't legally have to carry a spare wheel though. I've seen people mention on other forums they remove the spare wheel to reduce the weight in the car and carry a can of tyre weld. That's all very well until you get a blowout like you say and have no choice but to call for help. Even a space saver is better than nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 A spare was the law on the motorway, i suppose things have changed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 the space saver in the '5 is poxy but its enough - i cant see what the big deal is to be honest. Its the jacking up that's the dangerous part as you are exposed on the road potentially in the dark. If anything they should develop a system whereby the average joe can initiate a wheel change with as least physical force as necessary. Air jacks on each corner and quick release bolts? Pie in the sky methinks at this moment in time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Don't think there's any excuse for people not knowing they don't have a spare, but echo all the annoyance above - honestly I don't understand how the phasing out of spare wheels was acceptable unless run flat tyres were mandatory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 The spare tyre was a £50 option on both our Skoda's Truth be told having to change a wheel by the side of the road is a rare occurrence nowadays , the last time I did it was around '97 when I had a blow out on the motorway. Its far more common you will blow a bulb or a fuse but unlike the continent we dont have to carry spares of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Last time I changed a wheel this happened! The time before that was around 10 years ago due to a blowout on the M11 and I had a puncture from a nail about 5 years ago but I changed that wheel at work. I would rather have a spare than be stranded somewhere. Especially if your mobile is flat or there's no signal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Arguably a blown bulb doesn't leave you stranded though! Agree that punctures do seem to be rarer nowadays, not sure whether that's cleaner roads or better tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Arguably a blown bulb doesn't leave you stranded though! Agree that punctures do seem to be rarer nowadays, not sure whether that's cleaner roads or better tyres. A fuse might! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 A fuse might! Aren't there normally spare fuses in the fuse box though? Not sure how many or which types though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I always carry spare fuses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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