Space saver tyre

[francophile1947]

sure does, I have a 235/50/18 as my full size spare, fits in nice and snugg.

Excellent! Thanks for that.
Does make one wonder why Mazda put a skinny under there in the first place.

Almost certainly to cut costs - lots of cars have them.

[Tidmo]

Hi does anyone know of a 17 inch steel wheel that will fit as a spare?

[HeskinBongo]

Had to use our spacesaver in the summer, coming back from Scotland tyre poped as we left a 7 staines mountain bike park.
Travelled the 100 miles at reduced speed, whilst fully loaded

not a problem

[mikeWalsall]

My main concern now (like what as been pointed out) is the age of the space savers ... some 'rubber' must be 15-16 years old now..

[Simon Jones]

Recommendation seems to be not use tyres older than 6 to 10 years (depending where you seek the information). That will pretty much eliminate all space-saver tyres

http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/w ... es-en.html

http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-s ... e-my-tyres

Ultimately comes down to personal choice, but it's worth weighing up the cost of getting a newer full size replacement vs. the cost of repairing a vehicle where the tyre has failed under load, or worse still where someone has been injured as a result of an accident.

[mikeWalsall]

I had some tyres stored outside at the side of my garage ... one was brand new still got the red stripes around the tread ...

I got them out to give to some one for there car thinking they would still be in good nick ... but on checking them over the rubber had degraded so much that you could virtually push your finger through the side walls ....

Saying that ... my space-saver seems a lot thicker / harder compound rubber than 'normal' tyres even on very close inspection the tyre shows no signs of cracking or rubber degradation what so ever ...

[Bogmonster40]

I never carry a spare since I had my LPG conversion - I know I am taking a chance but I feel it is dangerous to carry a spare wheel loose in the rear of a car.
Many years ago a fireman mate of mine told me about a dead kid they had to get out of a car.Her mother had had a small bump but in the boot was a spare wheel and it flew up and hit the little girl right on the back of the head killing her instantly.
I always remembered that and dont want the same to happen to my kids !!!

[mikexgough]

I have a 15" standard steel for a spare...even though I have 17" wheels.... very similar rolling diameter allows the use of.... plus in reality any spare these days is a "get you home" kind of thing or at least to a Tyre workshop....