The case for space savers

So let’s look at the facts behind them to hopefully make you appreciate their advantages, we will also look at what problems they can cause.

The primary purpose of a space saver spare wheel/tyre is to take up less room in the boot. Their use also makes the car lighter to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

Though some critics say they also save car makers money this isn’t necessarily true. It’s probably cheaper for the car makers to buy five identical wheels/tyres for each car than four that are the same and one of a completely different design.

The disadvantages of space-savers is that they are often speed limited to something like 80 km/h and are restricted in the distance they can travel, often to 250 kilometres.

Those who dislike space-savers say they are not suited to Australia due to the vast distances travelled in our continent. The sad reality is that Australia is the most urbanised country on the face of the planet and many people seldom drive more than a few dozen kilometres from home.

Only a tiny percentage of people will ever find themselves in the remote outback in an area that’s 250 km from the nearest service station or tyre retailer. In the meantime the other ninety-nine per cent of us are running around in cars with a huge spare tyre that may never be used.

There are other advantages in having a space-saver. Human nature means that if a full-size spare has been fitted to replace a punctured one, the flat tyre often stays in the boot indefinitely. Get another flat and you are completely stranded.

Space-savers are coloured bright yellow or orange to remind the driver they are fitted to the car and that the flat full-sized tyre should be repaired and put back onto the vehicle as soon as possible.

There are a lot of cars on the road with bald, partly deflated spare tyres in the boot. Usually because someone on a tight budget has decided to use the spare on the car instead of buying a new one. Or because their car is being sold or traded so the owner has swapped the tyres around to put the best looking ones on road.

So have a serious think about your driving habits before deciding between a full-size or space-saver wheel. But have a look in the boot of your potential new car first, because some daft designers have come up with the idea of having a full-sized wheel well with a space-saver sitting in it. Thus no space saving.

But what if the flat tyre you've just replaced with the space saver won’t fit into the small area in the boot? The answer is simple, put it in the boot.

If you’re worried about a dirty flat tyre being squeezed in with your luggage carry a plastic bag in which to put the tyre.

Finally, if you do intend make long trips in the far outback then buy a full-size spare and take it with you. Admittedly if the car’s not equipped with a proper area for it to be mounted it may cause a hassle, but not as much of a hassle than if you do get stranded out there.