How far and how fast can you drive on a space-saver spare?
Updated
Quick answer
Only as far as you need to get a proper tyre fitted, and no faster than the limit printed on the wheel, which is often 50 mph. A space-saver is a temporary fix, not a replacement tyre.
What a space-saver is
It's a narrow, lightweight spare that saves space and weight in the boot. Because it's narrower than your normal tyre, it has less grip, so braking, cornering and handling in the wet are all worse than usual.
The rules printed on the wheel
- Speed: the maximum is on a label on the wheel, often 50 mph (80 km/h). Stick to it.
- Pressure: space-savers usually need a much higher pressure than your normal tyres, often around 60 psi. Check the label or your handbook, and check it before you rely on it: spares are often forgotten for years.
- Distance: your handbook may give a maximum. If it doesn't, treat it as getting you to a tyre fitter, not for days of normal driving.
- Only one: don't fit more than one space-saver at a time.
Driving on one
Drive gently, leave more room to stop, and avoid motorways if you can. Some driver aids, like traction control and ABS, can behave differently with mismatched tyres, so take extra care in the wet.
No spare at all?
Many newer cars only carry a puncture repair kit. These can deal with a small nail hole in the tread, but not with a cut or bulge in the sidewall, or a blowout. If yours can't be repaired, call us: we supply and fit new tyres at the roadside. See our tyre change service.
Getting a proper tyre fitted
We can fit a full-size tyre wherever you are, so you're not driving around on a space-saver for days. Tell us your tyre size (on the sidewall, for example 205/55 R16 91V) or send a photo on WhatsApp, and we'll tell you what we can bring and the price.