Loosing the spare wheel

[mjheathcote]

I'm thinking of loosing the spare wheel.

I've karted around the heavy spare wheel for over 23 years and only every used it once, and that was22 years ago. Okay the last 14 years the Stag has been a second summer car, but I still feel lucky

As an emergency backup I was thinking of buying one of those electric compressors with a bottle of tyre sealant. They seem popular with new modern cars with no spare wheel. Plenty available on ebay.

Has anyone actually used one of those puncture repair kit jobbies in an emergency, and did it work?

Just think of all that extra boot space that loosing the spare would give you.

Could board it out, add some carpet, and make it quite cosy....

or just chuck in all the usually junk one usually carries around leaving the 'normal boot space' clear for nice things instead!

Good idea or not?

[RogerP]

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mjheathcote wrote:

I'm thinking of loosing the spare wheel.

I've karted around the heavy spare wheel for over 23 years and only every used it once, and that was22 years ago. Okay the last 14 years the Stag has been a second summer car, but I still feel lucky

As an emergency backup I was thinking of buying one of those electric compressors with a bottle of tyre sealant. They seem popular with new modern cars with no spare wheel. Plenty available on ebay.

Has anyone actually used one of those puncture repair kit jobbies in an emergency, and did it work?

Just think of all that extra boot space that loosing the spare would give you.

Could board it out, add some carpet, and make it quite cosy....

or just chuck in all the usually junk one usually carries around leaving the 'normal boot space' clear for nice things instead!

Good idea or not?

Do you carry rear passengers?

Roger

[mjheathcote]

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The Mrs.

Daughter in child seat up front.

Why?

[Kevin Garrod]

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I've used tyre slime to successfully stop a slow punture in my Mondeo, but today i had to rescue one of our driving instructressess who had a 1" gash in the rear tyre, nothing was going to patch that up. So I guess 'it depends' is the answer.

[RogerP]

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mjheathcote wrote:

The Mrs.

Daughter in child seat up front.

Why?

Ok

I was going to suggest doing what we have done...but no good if you have rear seat passengers.........I presume you know you can fit a lot in under the soft top even when it's folded down...I think somebody said they got 24 bottles of wine in there!!!!!

Roger

[mjheathcote]

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As a half way house, a space saver wheel maybe? but I don't think they will be many, if any, with the correct PCD available.

[Guest]

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mjheathcote wrote:

I'm thinking of loosing the spare wheel.

The down side of those bottled puncture repair kits, is that they can mend a dangerous tyre, cuts in the wall where you can't see them etc. an accident will result in voided insurance 'cos you were driving on a dangerous tyre, first thing the assessor will check - even if it's not your fault, not worth the risk mate. Martin.

[Stagdad]

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Mike ,

I was doing 70 mph down the M3 with people pointing at my tyre ,when i stopped it was shredded as i had run on it for a while but i can honestly say that neither me nor my passenger felt a thing when we were driving .

So i guess the spray mend would only be any good for a pure puncture and not a shredded tyre.

Cheers Steve

[Sheepdip]

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When I first bought my other Stag I used to get loads of punctures, indeed the first was after 20 miles on its first outing, and was grateful for the spare.The previous had put inner tubes in to overcome alloy leakage. Removing inners and I've never needed it since. However breakdown cover stipulates a spare wheel (and spare keys abroad), so if you get stranded with a puncture.....

That said was considering the same when musing conversion to gas (after the EWP/Holley?4spd/rebuild other Stag...)

[rogerk]

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Hi

I have been told that this puncture repair in a can is only to get you out of trouble and tyre fitters will not repair the tyre after it has been used requiring a new tyre to be fitted:shock::shock::shock:



Roger

[sjm]

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Hi,

I thought it was illegal not to have a spare wheel/tyre if on motorways, correct me if I am wrong.

Steve

[Sheepdip]

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Suprised if that is the case because believe some modern cars (Smart?) don't even carry a spare, just a get you home repair kit.

I've seen reports that tyres are being developed that will run on when deflated. (Didn't we have this in the 70's?). However technology is such that thecostwill be comparable to new tyres ..... will do away with that heavy lump we cart around in the boot thatrarely gets used.

[Lytham Stag]

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No, my last car (BMW) had tyre sealant and a small compressor as standard. No spare offered.

sjm wrote:

Hi,

I thought it was illegal not to have a spare wheel/tyre if on motorways, correct me if I am wrong.

Steve

[mjheathcote]

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Thanks for the replies

I don't know what the stats are, but I bet over 50% of new cars have no spare wheel now. I never even think about it when I use my Lotus Elise which only has a small can of Holts tyre sealant clipped under the bonnet!

[DJT]

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mjheathcote wrote:

Thanks for the replies

I don't know what the stats are, but I bet over 50% of new cars have no spare wheel now. I never even think about it when I use my Lotus Elise which only has a small can of Holts tyre sealant clipped under the bonnet!

I looked at the new Honda Civic a while ago and that didn't have a spare wheel.

Dave.