Everything You Need To Know About Spare Tyres
It’s easy to overlook your spare tyre and forget it's even there hidden away in the boot. But if you experience a tyre puncture, you may need to fit the spare in order to get you home or to your nearest tyre fitting centre. That’s why it’s vital to check spare tyres just as often as the tyres on your wheels that are in day-to-day use.
Spare tyres vary and can be full-size or temporary space saver tyres which are much thinner than a standard car tyre and are not intended for extended use. They are designed to get you home or to your nearest garage and usually cannot be used at speeds of more than 50mph. The maximum speed at which you can use the spare is usually printed on a sticker on the side of the wheel. However, if your spare tyre is lacking this sticker, try to keep your speed to a maximum of 30mph until you can reach help.
Should you need a new spare tyre, at Kwik Fit we stock replacement spares including space saver tyres for all popular makes and models of vehicle. Alternatively, contact your nearest Kwik Fit centre - where they’ll be able to order in a suitable replacement.
Where is my spare tyre?
You should familiarise yourself with the location of the spare tyre or space saver tyre, the tyre jack, and also the locking wheel nut key, which are often located underneath the floor panel in your boot but can vary from car to car. Check your vehicle handbook for further details.
You may find that you have neither a spare tyre or a space saver tyre at all as many vehicle manufacturers are now opting to provide a tyre repair kit instead of a temporary replacement tyre. The tyre repair kit includes a foam sealant, which is inserted into the tyre through the tyre valve, and a compressor to re-inflate the tyre. The tyre sealant forms a bond with the rubber almost instantly providing a temporary puncture repair to allow you to drive to safety.
Unfortunately we are not able to repair a tyre where a foam sealant has been applied. A puncture repair plug requires a clean, uncontaminated surface in order to make an effective, long-lasting seal which cannot be guaranteed if a foam sealant has been used to line the inside of the tyre.
The dangers of buying used tyres
When replacing tyres, especially spare tyres, it can be tempting to look for used tyres in order to save a bit of money. While buying older tyres can seem like a bargain, the cost is higher in money and safety. An astonishing 98% of part worn tyres are believed to be non-compliant with the regulations for selling used tyres, so the safest and most sensible option is to buy new tyres instead.
Road Hero space saver spare wheel kits now available at Kwik Fit
If you need to replace your spare wheel or your car is one of the two thirds of all cars that now roll off the production line without a spare wheel included, Road Hero's spare wheel kits provide an ideal solution. Road Hero space saver spare wheel kits fit comfortably in the boot of your car and are now available for a large selection of vehicle makes and models. The spare wheel kit not only includes a new tyre fitted to a rim for your specific vehicle model, but also includes everything you need to fit the spare including a scissor jack and wheel brace plus accessories including a warning triangle and kneeling mat. Order your space saver spare wheel replacement for collection at any Kwik Fit centre nationwide.
