Standard Spare Tyres vs. Space Saver Tyres: Which Is Better?

More and more manufacturers have removed standard spare tyres from the items that come with your vehicle purchase.

Most of today's car models come only with a tyre repair kit, while some add a smaller and narrower tyre attached to a brightly coloured wheel.

This tyre is called a space saver tyre.

 

Why have manufacturers booted out the spare tyre?

Here are some reasons:

• To cut costs

• To make the vehicle price competitive

• To free up boot space

• To discard the extra weight and lessen fuel consumption

As a solution, manufacturers have replaced full-sized spare tyres with space saver spare tyres in some of their cars.

But is using this comparable to driving on a spare tyre?

Are space saver, spare wheel tyres road-worthy?

Can you buy them as an aftermarket replacement?

Tyroola answers these questions and more!

 

What is a Space Saver Tyre?

A space saver tyre, also called a donut, is a spare tyre that you can only use as a temporary solution in case of an unexpected flat tyre. These temporary-use spare tyres come with wheels, and both the tyre and wheel are original equipment designed to match their partner car manufacturer vehicle's specifications.

 

Did you know? The space saver tyre was originally built for small sports cars with little room for standard-sized spares. The exception has become the norm, with manufacturers equipping their vehicles, including some 4WDs, with these tyres.

 

Some car models with space saver tyres are the Alfa Romeo MiTo, Audi A5 Sportback, Ford Focus, Honda CRV, Hyundai Kona and many others.

 

How can you tell a tyre is a space saver tyre?

Sidewall initial

Check the first letter on your tyre's sidewall. While P stands for a Passenger Tyre and LT means you have a Light Truck Tyre, a T stands for Temporary Spare—another name for a space saver tyre.

Also read: Tyre Number Meanings Explained in Full

Size

Space saver tyres are smaller, narrower, and lighter than regular spare tyres. Their diameter is slightly smaller, with a maximum difference of 3%. However, this is permissible as the Space Saver Tyre is only meant to be driven for 80 kilometres (or 50 miles) at the most as a general rule of thumb.

Wheel Colour

The wheels that come with these smaller-sized tyres have attention-grabbing colours such as bright orange, yellow, or red—similar to road hazard signs. These vibrant colours warn you that upon mounting this type of spare, you should replace it as soon as possible. They are also smaller and narrower than full size spare wheels.

Also read: Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Your Wheels

 

 

What are the limitations of Space Saver Tyres?

• Limited Distance

These tyres let your vehicle roll only for a maximum of 80 kilometres. Yes, they prevent you from getting stranded by the roadside with a flat tyre; but they only have enough strength and capabilities to let you drive to the nearest mechanic to have your damaged tyre fixed or replaced. Check your owner's manual to learn your space saver tyre's recommended driving distance.

 

• Limited Speed

Again, check manufacturer recommendations for your space saver tyre's speed limit. But generally, the maximum speed for temporary spares is 80 kilometres per hour. But this is only in dry and favourable conditions. You need to be extra careful during rain or snow and drive even slower.

Did you know? Space saver tyres have speed and distance limits because they have less tread, which is the rubber around the tyre's circumference and makes contact with the ground. These tyres typically have a tread depth of 3 millimetres, compared to the 8 or 9-millimetre tread of new and full-sized tyres. Because of their thinner structure and softer compound, these tyres are less effective against road hazards, which is why they are only for temporary use.

 

• Limited Performance

Space saver tyres reduce handling, which describes how fast and precise your vehicle responds to your inputs. Because these tyres are smaller, they have to roll faster than your other tyres to meet your driving demands. Their narrow tread equates to less rubber kissing the ground, resulting in more braking distances and less grip and stability when making sudden turns.

 

Space Saver Tyres vs. Standard Spare Tyres

Undecided between buying a space saver or a spare? To help you choose wisely, Tyroola compares the benefits and drawbacks of each tyre.

 

SPACE SAVER TYRE vs.	STANDARD SPARE TYRE
Lighter and smaller = More fuel economy and fewer emissions	Heavier and bigger, burning up more fuel
Compromised vehicle performance and safety	Lets you normally drive with no speed and distance limits
Convenient to carry in smaller vehicles	Takes up most of the boot space
Needs immediate replacement	Functions as the long-term replacement for the punctured tyre
Costs less	Costs more
Not compatible with bigger vehicles like SUVs and trucks that need full sized wheels	Built for stronger impact

 

Clearly, spares have the advantage in safety and performance. But space savers can also be ideal, depending on your budget and vehicle size. To fully enjoy the benefits of your space saver tyre, consider its scope of capabilities and work within its limitations.

 

Did you know? Whether choosing a space saver tyre or a spare tyre, it's essential to check their inflation regularly. Even when they are not in use, tyres can lose air. Tyres with incorrect air pressure may result in flat tyres, blowouts, and accidents!

 

 

10 Ways You Can Drive Safe on Space Saver Tyres

Space saver tyres can give you and your passengers a safe ride despite their limitations. Here are some tips:

1. Make sure you use the space saver tyre supplied by your vehicle manufacturer

because this guarantees that the tyre matches your car's standards. You can also buy a replacement from credible tyre shops like Tyroola, which can help you find products that match your original space saver's specifications.

 

2. Before mounting, always check the condition of your space saver tyre.Note the limits on speed, travel distance, load and tyre pressure.

 

3. Give your owner's manual a thorough read, especially its instructions on your space saver tyre. Note the limits on speed, travel distance, load and tyre pressure.

 

4. Speaking of tyre pressure, space saver tyres usually have a higher pressure than standard tyres. Because they are smaller, these tyres need to be rigid to withstand the weight of your car. Check your vehicle manual, your tyre placard sticker in your car's glove box, or the driver's door jamb for the recommended pressure. Keeping the inflation pressure at around 60 psi is a safe choice.

Also read: Tyre Pressure: A Complete Guide

5. Remember that your space saving tyres perfectly match the wheels they came with, so avoid mounting them to random rims. If you're buying a space saver wheel, ensure it closely matches your original one.

 

6. If your car is front-wheel drive, always fit the space saver tyre to the rear.
But what if your punctured tyre is in the front? Prepare to sweat a bit more because you must replace the punctured front tyre with a working rear tyre. Only then can you fit the space saver tyre to the rear. Your front tyres need to be standard-sized because they're the ones that turn a front-wheel-drive car.

 

7. If your car is rear-wheel drive, mount the space saver tyre to the front. If your punctured tyre is at the rear, replace it with a working front tyre. Then install the space saver as the front tyre's replacement. With this arrangement, your rear tyres can make safer and more precise turns.

 

8. Check your space saver's tread depth if you've already used the tyre.You may have previously mounted your space saver tyre and driven it less than the maximum travel distance. In theory, you can use it again with a decreased distance limit. However, you must check if its tread is within the legal minimum of 1.6 millimetres. Read our guide in measuring tread depth.

 

9. Check if space saver tyre are legal in your state. To be on the safe side, read up on rules in tyre and wheel usage in your area. But generally, the law states you can use a tyre with a different size on the same axle only in emergencies. You should immediately replace space savers for your safety and legal compliance.

 

10. Don't second guess when buying a new space saver tyre. Talk to an expert like a Tyroola agent to guide your purchase. You can also use our Tyre Size Calculator to compute your tyre size and compare tyre specs.

 

Did you know? Run-flat tyres are an excellent alternative to space saver tyres. By fitting your vehicle with Runflats, you don't have to stop and change a flat tyre. You can just drive to the nearest garage or straight home to order your run-flat replacement on Tyroola.

 

Also read: 8 Things You Need to Know About Run-Flat Tyres

 

Your One-Stop Online Shop for Your Driving Needs

Aside from wheels, Tyroola also offers space saver, standard, and run-flat tyres of all sizes at the cheapest prices online. We also provide services for wheel alignment and repair, battery replacement, tyre puncture repair and many more! Drop us a message, and we'll be glad to help you.

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