Spare Tyre Poll

[nickbw898]

I agree with the last post but with the following caveats. I have a MY01 XC70 and I have never used the spare. Also it depends very much what rubber you run on. In the northern US and Canada there are many times more examples of this model than here. They often go for non OEM wheels, it seems they do value appearance more than anything and like to mod their cars, often spending alarming sums of money. However, there is consensus about using Nokian WRG2/3 tyres and they tend to go for 235x60xR16 rather than the OEM 215x65xR16. THere are some tyres which use asymmetric tread patterns and which are directional tyres. These present a big problem to "which type of spare to carry".


I am just about to purchase new rubber and I will go with Nokians (strictly speaking Winter tyres) in the OEM size as I cannot find 235x60xR16 but I will still use the standard OEM Pirelli STR spare (still unused) and respect the speed/milage rules advised by Volvo.

[wrinkles]

I have a full sized spare wheel to match the alloys on the car.I don't like space savers as they are limited and look nasty. THe 940 has plenty of room in the boot for it. alternitives are just a cost cutting means by the makers.

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by wrinkles

I have a full sized spare wheel to match the alloys on the car.I don't like space savers as they are limited and look nasty. THe 940 has plenty of room in the boot for it. alternitives are just a cost cutting means by the makers.

There *may* be a modicum of cost saving but the main reasons are simply the space that a full size tyre takes up inside the car and the weight which is significant, especially when they have challenging emissions and efficiency targets to meet.

[Milty]

Given a choice, I'd prefer to have a spare. That said, in the last 6 years of motoring, I've only had one actual puncture which in fairness was caused by a failed tyre pressure monitoring valve. Without that, I'd be well into 10 years without a puncture. Average 25-30k/annum and going into several customer sites.

When I did have the puncture, the goo was useless as the valve was wrecked as was the tyre. It was tedious at the time but soon forgotten.

Now - just wait for my next post when I get my first puncture as a result of this post...

[CanAmSteve]

I just purchased a 2014 D5 AWD R design as a dealer demo. Its a lovely car and while this model has been decontented to the point I only need to read 20% of the owner's manual. I still think it's excellent value for the money.

As part of the negotiations, I persuaded the dealer to exchange the installed tyre pump and sealer for a limited use spare, and I'm happy with that compromise. My previous road car (VW) had a full-size spare which was never used. I do travel on the Continent and while I would have preferred that storage space for a full-size spare had been designed-in, the limited-use spare will certainly get me off the motorway and allow me to find a new tyre without being stranded or held hostage. I was happy that the limited-use spare (plus jack and wheel brace) fit in without raising the load floor.

[33CHINACARS]

Didn't like what Volvo supplied, so l've 2 spare rims & new tyres sitting in the shed just in case for my 2012 XC 60

[Delta66]

Having lived in the middle of now where, there has to be space for a full sized spare, for people who do not have easy access to tyre shops/fitters. We are a small, well populated country. Elsewhere, there is even more need for a full sized wheel as people could be hundreds of miles from assistance. Imaging what it must be like in places like Canada.

Car makers should have design options where the choice is full size spare (takes up all the space), space saver (with a tray for extra storage) foam kit/pump (with a different tray for extra storage).

[alanoconnor]

I would like a full size wheel in my boot. I bought my car the other day and it didn't even have a space saver or gunk so bought a space saver off ebay.

I am unsure why people are allowed to use those torque guns - I had a nasty experience that cost me a Comet alloy and a few hundred quid.

That said, I was sitting in Kwik Fit the other day and I'm having a conversation with the manager about awaiting a delivery for some bolts so I can throw my locking wheel nuts in the bin. He said use the standard tool in the boot and your nuts will be fine. My response:

"Nothing wrong with my nuts mate. And why are your people using guns on my car then?"

[Bashy]

I would prefer a full sized tyre any day of the week, call me old fashioned but if im on a long journey, i would rather rely on a full size to get me there and back without the need to have to ruin said trip with extra trip to the local tyre place and thats if its open. 50mph i think it is, is too slow to come back from say the lakes to norfolk on an over night trip. Also, i wouldnt want to rely on just a can of tyre weld either, although, one can did save me in a pinch on the V70 (2nd day of having it lol) to get me off the roadside so i could change it to the fake wheel.

What i do not get is a space saver wheel/tyre in a full size hole, like there is in mine, what the Dickens is that all about, not saving any space whatsoever

[GMcL]

Until you need a spare, it's dead weight and dead space.
When you need a spare it is critical at the time.

Depends where you are what the priority is. Most manufacturers now offer breakdown recovery as part of annual servicing.

The UK appears to run 7 days/week service. Distress purchases are always going to get hammered in terms of price if you have some 235+ size tyres on 19+ rims.

I bought a space saver for my S60 in 2014. It takes up about 33% of available boot space and never seen the light of day since it was fitted.

Since I bought the Volvo in 2013 my wife and I have had four other cars between us each with a compressor and can of "stuff". None of those have seen the light of day either or needed replacement.

I've had a licence for 34 years. In that time I've had 3 punctures. I've also been towed off the motorway with a shattered windscreen - no spare provided - and also had two blown inter-cooler hoses, one FIAT, one Volvo.

Back to manageable risk.