A space saver is a tyre normally about 105 – 135 millimetres wide, which in tyre widths today is very narrow.
The car manufacturers say that not only does this save on space allowing you to put more in the vehicle but reduces the vehicles weight which in return reduces emissions.
Another theory is that it reduces the manufacturing cost of the vehicle to make it more profitable or to pass on this saved cost to the consumer to reduce the purchase cost of the car.
Space Saver Tyre Pressure
The space saver tyre normally has the recommended tyre pressure marked on the side wall of the tyre itself, Normally the pressure of space savers are around 60psi
WARNING: Always check the maximum pressure the tyre can take before inflating it, DONT just read this website and go inflate it to 60psi. Always stand some distance while inflating the tyre as if the tyre fails while inflating to this high pressure serous injury may occur.
Driving on spare or temporary tyre.
Driving on a spare temporary tyre normally has its restrictions and extra care must be take unless the spare tyre is the same size, load rating and speed rating as the tyre it replaces.
We get asked a lot of questions like:
- How long/far can I drive on a temporary, space saver, lightweight, smaller, thinner spare tyre?
- What is the maximum speed I can travel at on a temporary spare tyre?
- Does my temporary spare tyre have different wheel nuts for it?
- Should I drive with extra caution?
The list of precaution below should give you some idea of the answers to these questions.
Safety Precautions when using a Space Saver
Speed
50MPH/80kKPH is the Maximum speed you should travel at with a temporary tyre on you vehicle. Road condition’s, weather and other factors should be taken into consideration when choosing how fast to drive on a space saver.
Braking
Always leave a much larger distance between you and the car in front as braking can be severely effected.
Handling
Because the contact area between the tyre and the ground is a lot smaller traction will be lost at a lot lower speeds than your original tyres.
Distance
Some space savers come with minimal tread from new and should only be use to drive to the nearest Tyre Garage or home and call a mobile service. Space savers are not to be used long term.
Wheel Nuts
WARNING: Some Mercedes as one example comes with shorter bolts for the spare wheel enabling correct tightening of the wheel to the hub, failure to use the correct wheel bolts could result in the wheel detaching from the vehicle when driving.
Tyre Pressure
Always ensure the spare tyre is inflated before attempting to install it, as tyres naturally lose air though the tyres casing over periods of time.
The space saver tyre normally has the recommended tyre pressure marked on the side wall of the tyre itself, Normally the pressure of space savers are around 60psi (always check the maximum pressure the tyre can take before inflating it)