Spare Wheel or rather Lack of it

[Blue103TDIDSG]

Hey guys (and gals).....
What are your thoughts on no spare wheel or am I showing my age ??

Got a flat tyre couple weeks back ...... with those 35 profile tyres it doesn't look much different when flat -
Lucky I noticed it before driving off
Was a gal iron roofing screw straight through the tread, so I just left it in ....
OK the compressor worked, just pumped it back up and drove home slowly - didn't use the goo.
Stopped 1/2 way and checked pressure
But it raised the thought ...... man I feel sort of "naked" without a spare tyre

Our other 2 cars have space saver "get you home" spares - that was a big enough hurdle to get over
But just a compressor and bottle of goo ????

post from another thread

I've kept one of my original tyres and shove it in the boot for any longer drives that I might do

That is a great idea .... cheap insurance,
Unfortunately I don't have any "old ones" yet - working on it
My worry is being out in the sticks and holing a tyre that the "goo" and compressor can't fix
OK Roadside assist will take care of the car - like I really want to see it towed away ??
The tow will get the car to the nearest tyre retailer
Murphy the bitch will make sure that this happens on a weekend - no, make that a long weekend
So the car is stored somewhere for a couple of days with no control over where that is
Will have to get family member to come pick us up
Then next working day arrange a new tyre, get fitted and return and get car

Hmmmm .... think I just talked myself into one of these
Just under $200 delivered from Sydney - great mob to deal with too



It arrived yesterday and it is as new - has never been on the road
A lot happier with it in the boot



Thought it might pay to do a trial fit - better to find out it doesn't now than out in the sticks somewhere
The diameter is a tad smaller but I would only put it on the back - existing wheel bolts work OK



I did the trial fit on the front as I have more room in the garage to work
and if it fits the front it will fit back - who knows, for some strange reason I might need to fit to front ??



Have asked the supplier what car it came out of but haven't had a reply yet
[edit] off a 2012 mk6 Golf

Few more pics of the tyre

[Scratchyratface]

Nice result! i might check one out for myself

[Blue103TDIDSG]

Nice result! i might check one out for myself

Got it here - add says 3 left
VW Golf MK5 MK6 MK7 Scirocco Used 18 Inch Space Saver RIM With THE Tool KIT | eBay
Was all packed and wrapped beautifully with cardboard both sides for protection
They send it by post !!!!...

Postie had a devil of a job getting into the letterbox .....

[AnDyStYLe]

I actually almost had the same situation. Self tapping screw went into the rear left tyre. Was very fortunate enough that it didn't penetrate through. Count my lucky stars...

Would much rather a space saver in the boot!

How'd you get this for under $200?

They happen to increase the price to $249 now?

Also, is there any implications that the diameter is smaller? Is this common with space savers?

I've always had cars with space savers and used on many occasions, but never took notice

Cheers,

Andy

[BS_roc]

the goo actually works better than you would think, I go a HUGE hole in a back tyre (dont know how) when I was about 300km from home.

the hole was big enough for me to put my little finger in and I thought no way will this fix with goo, I called a bunch of local tyre guys but as was just on 5pm friday no one answered, so last resort was the goo (then VW assist)

followed the instructions and sure enough it got me going, first servo I put more air in and checked it and from there home (@80kmh) no probs, next day off the local jax to get it fixed

bottom line, the goo actually works.........

[Guest001]

You should really only use spacesavers on the rear of a Front wheel drive car.
Partly due to the size difference and the lighter construction of them.

[Blue103TDIDSG]

Hi Andy

How'd you get this for under $200?
They happen to increase the price to $249 now?
Andy

Long story, short version, I started looking at the Scirocco about 2 years ago
About 12 months back when going for test drives and decision made, was then I realised there wasn't a spare
So did a Google search and found this mob on Ebay - they were advertising them then for $250 + $30 delivery
Checked every now and then and they seemed to be available most of the time
Then when I got the flat tyre and decided to get one, by co-incidence, they had a "special" going of 33% off
what made matters worse was I got a flag on Ebay for a code to get another 10 off
but I didn't order straight away and next day when I went to the 10% flag had gone - bummer...

Suggest you contact them and ask for the "special" price like I got ........ perhaps direct them to this thread
nothing to lose and maybe 33% discount to gain....

Also, is there any implications that the diameter is smaller? Is this common with space savers?
I've always had cars with space savers and used on many occasions, but never took notice
Andy

You should really only use spacesavers on the rear of a Front wheel drive car.
Partly due to the size difference and the lighter construction of them.

As Hillbilly says with front wheel drive, space saver always on the back
Although to my mind the different width and tread pattern would be more of a worry under braking and steering
Even with a rear wheel drive car you would have to weigh up the worst of the "evils" between any difference in diameter versus the consequences of uneven braking and the effects on handling

[Blue103TDIDSG]

the hole was big enough for me to put my little finger in

WOW....
Thanks BS_roc - nice to know it is that good
I have left the compressor and "goo" in the car as another option just in case - what's the chance of 2 flat tyres ?...

followed the instructions and sure enough it got me going, first servo I put more air in and checked it and from there home (@80kmh) no probs, next day off the local jax to get it fixed

bottom line, the goo actually works.........

Thought long and hard when I got the flat whether to use the goo or just re-inflate and try to get home
I believe once you use the goo the tyre has to be removed from the rim and all the goo washed out before the tyre can be repaired

As it was the tyre was repaired without removing it from the car

[AnDyStYLe]

^ Thanks for spending the time providing the info... Very helpful!

Cheers,

Andy

[IainBest]

I rang around the wreckers here in Hobart and picked up an unused spare and associated kit from a Mk 5 Golf for $140 - exactly the same as pictured above. Cheap peace of mind!

[AnDyStYLe]

Heads up to anyone keen, the item listed on eBay is currently reduced to $180ish from the $249 price (not including shipping).

Good timing I received a 10% off voucher from eBay so jumped on one!

Thanks again OP for sharing this with us =D

Cheers,

Andy

[Blue103TDIDSG]

^
Thanks for spending the time providing the info... Very helpful!
Cheers,

Andy

NO problem
The information on this forum has been invaluable to me so it nice to be able to return the favour
Karma so to speak

I rang around the wreckers here in Hobart and picked up an unused spare and associated kit from a Mk 5 Golf for $140 - exactly the same as pictured above. Cheap peace of mind!

Well done
Like the last 4 or so cars we've had you will probably never use it
But I guess that is what insurance is about

Heads up to anyone keen, the item listed on eBay is currently reduced to $180ish from the $249 price (not including shipping).

Good timing I received a 10% off voucher from eBay so jumped on one!

Thanks again OP for sharing this with us =D

Cheers,

Andy

Well Done too
All in the timing - good one on the Ebay discount
as I mentioned earlier I got an Ebay 10% discount as well, only problem was next day when i went to use it it wasn't there
anyway - it's nice knowing the spare wheel is there but still hope never to use it

[Blue103TDIDSG]

Space Saver Service Life

Got to thinking - since we are getting "old" spares ..... wonder what their service life is

found this here ...... https://www.beaurepaires.com.au/advi...ing-tyres-blog

"Temporary spare use tyres do have some limitations.
First and foremost, they have a shorter life expectancy and can only travel an approximate distance of 450km maximum before needing to be changed"

So that is distance - now time

from here Aged Tyres - Bridgestone Australia

Tyre Ageing Mechanism
There are three main mechanisms of tyre ageing. The first involves rubber becoming more brittle. Sulphur is used to link rubber molecules together during vulcanisation with the application of heat and pressure, giving the rubber its useful elastic properties and strength. As the tyre absorbs energy in the form of light, heat or movement the tyre continues to vulcanise. This ongoing vulcanisation causes the rubber to become stiffer and more brittle.
The second mechanism of tyre ageing is oxidation involving oxygen and ozone from the air compromising the strength and elasticity of the rubber and the integrity of the rubber to steel bond. Basically heat and oxygen cause cross linking between polymer chains (causing the rubber to harden) and scission of polymer chains (leading to reduced elasticity).
Thirdly, breakdown of the rubber to steel-belt bond will occur due to water permeating through a tyre and bonding with the brass plate coating on steel belts. This causes the steel to rubber bond to weaken leading to reduced tyre strength and reduced heat resistance. If compressed air used for inflation is not completely dry, tyre strength will be affected over time. Even unused tyres will become more brittle, weaker and less elastic with exposure to water, air, heat and sunlight.
[my comment] Our spares do not see sunlight or water with minimal heat compared to road use and no mechanical stress.

Warning signs
Regardless of their age tyres should be replaced if they show significant crazing or cracking in the tread grooves or sidewall (Figure 3&4) and or bulging of the tread face or sidewall. All tyres, especially unused spare tyres, should be inspected periodically to determine their suitability for service.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

from here .... Tire Tech Information - Tire Aging — Part #1

The British Rubber Manufacturers Association (BRMA) recommended practice, issued June, 2001, states, "BRMA members strongly recommend that unused tyres should not be put into service if they are over six years old and that all tyres should be replaced ten years from the date of their manufacture."

and this

More recently, the Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA) recommended practice, issued May, 2005, states, "Customers are encouraged to have their vehicle tires promptly inspected after five years of use to determine if the tires can continue to be used (recommends spare tires be inspected as well). Furthermore, even when the tires look usable, it is recommended that all tires (including spare tires) that were made more than ten years ago be replaced with new tires.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My thoughts - and disclaimer - this is offered as information, not advice and should anyone decide to use this information they do so with full responsibility for their own actions - hopefully that just saved the house....LOL

Since most of the aging factors are minimised for a spare spending its entire life covered in the boot
as well as not seeing any road use would the 10 years replacement be totally relevant ??
Would the comment of not putting tyres over 6 years of age into service refer to unfitted tyres not ones already on rims ??
When used it will be (hopefully) only for short distance and at low speed so is the risk factor low ??

To me this is the relevant bit "unused spare tyres, should be inspected periodically to determine their suitability for service"

that's what I will do

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is very interesting regarding how they perform ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPh90yNX-mY

[dgmcreative]

Hi Guys,

I know this is a really old post, but I was wondering if anyone has had any luck recently sourcing a spare like the one @Blue103TDIDSGpurchased.

I am looking for a similar spare kit for my 2016 Scirocco R, I believe a similar kit to the 2012 mk6 Golf should work in the slightly updated 2016 Scirocco R.

@Blue103TDIDSG any mention or link to the previous seller would be greatly appreciated..

Many thanks in advance
John