Whatever happened to the spare wheel?

COMMENT
A flat tyre is inconvenient at the best of times. But when you’re stuck on the side of the road on a cold, wet Sunday night, and already running late, it’s something of a double whammy. Now, I’m not incapable of changing a spare, but when the car I’m driving doesn’t carry one, there’s no other option than to sit on my hands and wait for assistance.

You see the puncture repair kit supplied in lieu of a space saver spare wheel in many new cars really only works in ideal situations. In short, they require the puncture to be in just the right spot. Get a tear in the sidewall or, as in my recent experience, a bolt through the shoulder of the tyre, and that piddly jar of urethane and anaemic air compressor are about as useful a white crayon.

Since saving space, weight (or both) became a thing, we’ve become used to the idea of a skinny spare wheel. Granted they’re not as useful as a matching full-size spare, but at least you can pop it on yourself and be on your way again in less than five minutes.

Get a flat with a can of goo in the boot and you might as well take to sticking your thumb out and wait for a lift from your good mate Ivan.

Tyre technology has come a long way, and punctures in radial tyres are few and far between, but in the last six months I’ve had five flat tyres, outside of business hours in cars with no spare and some in areas without mobile phone reception. In these situations, I was forced to make my way to phone reception and call for help.

And that’s fine for a bloke travelling on his own, who doesn’t mind a hike. But suppose the car is full of kids, or you’re in an unsavoury part of town... Surely in that scenario it’s better to quickly change that wheel and get back on the road.

It’s time car-makers stop trying to be so bloody clever, quit telling us what they think we want, and start listening to the good folk buying their cars.

If the extra few of litres boot space or the weight of a spare wheel is that big of a deal, then engineer another bloody way around it. And give us back that vital bit of steel/alloy and rubber that might just get us out of trouble on a cold, wet Sunday night.

Do you know what type of spare wheel you have? Here’s a list of the usual options:

Again, just like the name suggests, the space-saver spare wheel saves space. It’s often smaller in diameter and narrower in width than the other wheels on your car and is designed to be used temporarily (usually for no more than 300km) until your flat tyre is repaired or replaced.

Some space-savers are stored in your car uninflated. In these cases a 12-volt air compressor is also supplied.

Some car-makers call space-savers ‘temporary spare wheels’. They are not designed for full-time use and usually are distance and speed limited (typically up to 200km and 80km/h). They will also adversely affect your car’s braking, performance and handling – especially in the wet or on a gravel road. Always check your owner’s manual before operating a car fitted with a space-saver spare.

The combination of a can of urethane sealant and an air compressor is designed to fill the hole in your tyre and reinflate the wheel so you can get the car to a repair shop. Unfortunately, as we’ve noted in the example above, the “can of goo” isn’t the puncture panacea it’s made out to be, and has limitations in terms of the size and position of the puncture it’s able to mend.

Just like the space-saver, the mended tyre also requires you to drive more slowly. Oh, and it creates a real mess inside the tyre the repair shop has to deal with when you go to change your tyre.

Run-flat tyres are designed to operate for short distances and slower speeds (typically up to 80km/h) even after receiving a puncture. The construction of the tyre allows a stiffer sidewall to carry the weight of the car without air until you can have the tyre repaired or replaced, and has the added benefit of allowing you to continue driving without getting out of the car on the side of the road.

On the downside, the tyre will usually have to be replaced once you get to the tyre shop, and availability of run-flat tyres isn’t as common as regular tyres.

If you find yourself with a flat tyre it’s important to slow the car gradually and without making sudden manoeuvres.

Work your way safely to the side of the road, activate your hazard lights, and park as far from the running lane as possible. Only ever exit the car if safe to do so, and be very mindful of approaching traffic as you work to change your wheel.

We recommend being familiar with the type of spare wheel fitted to your car and that you know how to use it before it becomes necessary. Have a dry run on the weekend, and consult your owner’s manual if you’re in any way unsure.