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spacesaver tyres
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daglocks



Joined: 20 Dec 2013
Posts: 31
Location: Aylesbury

PostPosted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:55 am    Post subject: spacesaver tyres Reply with quote

Hi

I have 5.200 5.25 x 16 cross ply tyres on my ford special and want to change to radials?

Has anyone used spacesaver tyres as a replacement. I don't intend going over 60mph or much motorway use.

If so, which size would be the best profile?

Thanks
Andrew
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Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Andrew. By "spacesaver" if you are referring to the type commonly carried as a spare in modern vehicles, the please don't even think about it.

If not these, then ignore my reply.

Regards

Peter
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Riley Blue



Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 1751
Location: Derbyshire

PostPosted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 11:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

To echo Peter, spacesavers are not intended for permanent fitment, 50mph maximum speed I think.
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JohnDale



Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 790
Location: Kelvin Valley,Scotland

PostPosted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 12:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I believe they also require a special wheel which would be unlikely to fit a classic & at 60psi would probably blur your vision,cheers,JD.
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ukdave2002



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4236
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 12:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Space saver tyres are rated at about 80mph, it's ony 50mph when they are used as a spare and you are mixing different tyre types on the same axle.

Why would they not be suitable as a replacement for a cross ply?

Dave
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Riley Blue



Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 1751
Location: Derbyshire

PostPosted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 12:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ukdave2002 wrote:
Space saver tyres are rated at about 80mph, it's ony 50mph when they are used as a spare and you are mixing different tyre types on the same axle.

Why would they not be suitable as a replacement for a cross ply?

Dave


But you wouldn't use one other than as a spare as they're only intended for temporary use. You'd never run a car on four of them, they have limited tread depth (3mm max), run at a much higher pressure (60 psi) and are often made of a softer compound to compensate for higher pressure/narrow width. Stopping distances are increased too. Most car manufacturers recommend 50mph maximum.

I'd use one only as far as the nearest tyre depot.
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Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The tread pattern is only there to conform to regulations. Their water moving capability is virtually nil and as for snow... safer to walk outside in your beach sandals.
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daglocks



Joined: 20 Dec 2013
Posts: 31
Location: Aylesbury

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 12:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

nice to know how little new car manufacturers care about our safety!
Ive not had the chance to look at one, as the wife's new car came with a "proper" spare!
Feel stupid now for asking a stupid question, but thanks for the replies.
Andrew
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ukdave2002



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4236
Location: South Cheshire

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 8:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is a video of a 480 bhp Merc driven round a damp Millbrook test circut with 4 space savers Shocked

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HPh90yNX-mY
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OuBallie



Joined: 02 Mar 2013
Posts: 225
Location: South Norfolk next to Suffolk

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 10:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Andrew,
The ONLY stupid question is the one you keep asking.

Geoff - Just about recovered from a head cold, the first in years.
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Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 11:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ukdave2002 wrote:
Here is a video of a 480 bhp Merc driven round a damp Millbrook test circut with 4 space savers Shocked

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HPh90yNX-mY


Your question answered here, comes with pictures so anyone can understand
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Bitumen Boy



Joined: 26 Jan 2012
Posts: 1763
Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 12:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Let's face it - no matter how much motor manufacturers try to dress up these "space saver" spares as being a good thing for the motorist in terms of increased luggage space or decreased weight leading to fuel savings, they were only ever about being a "cost saver" for the manufacturer.

It hasn't happened yet, but should I ever be unlucky enough to be lumbered with a vehicle that comes with one of these, about the first thing I will be doing is ringing around the breakers in search of a proper roadwheel to keep as spare, even if it ends up rattling round loose for evermore for want of sufficient stowage space. "Space saver" spares may be just about OK for footballers and the like poncing around London, but away from the big city, travelling rural roads, up in the mountains? I wouldn't trust one as far as I can spit.
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Keith D



Joined: 16 Oct 2008
Posts: 1165
Location: Upper Swan, Western Australia

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 2:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Ford Fiesta is sold in Australia without even a space saver spare wheel. You just get an aerosol can that you are supposed to use to get you home after a flat. It'll almost certainly wreck the tyre!

When I questioned the salesman about the lack of a spare wheel, he had the cheek to ask me when I last had a puncture. He became quite upset when my wife pointed out that she had had a life policy on me for years and yet I hadn't died yet! It goes without saying that we ended up buying her a small Holden! (Which has a full size spare!)

Keith
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mikeC



Joined: 31 Jul 2009
Posts: 1809
Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 2:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bitumen Boy wrote:
Let's face it - no matter how much motor manufacturers try to dress up these "space saver" spares as being a good thing for the motorist in terms of increased luggage space or decreased weight leading to fuel savings, they were only ever about being a "cost saver" for the manufacturer.

It hasn't happened yet, but should I ever be unlucky enough to be lumbered with a vehicle that comes with one of these, about the first thing I will be doing is ringing around the breakers in search of a proper roadwheel to keep as spare, even if it ends up rattling round loose for evermore for want of sufficient stowage space. "Space saver" spares may be just about OK for footballers and the like poncing around London, but away from the big city, travelling rural roads, up in the mountains? I wouldn't trust one as far as I can spit.


... and that's exactly what I have done. I have now owned two cars issued with 'spacesavers' and I have immediately replaced them with full-sized spares. The silly thing is the originals didn't save any space, the spare wheel well took the full size as if it was made for one Rolling Eyes


Edited to add: in both cases I was able to sell the (unused) spacesaver for more than the replacement cost Laughing
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4859
Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 8:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi
daglocks wrote:
Ive not had the chance to look at one, as the wife's new car came with a "proper" spare!
Andrew


You even have to be careful with those, a friend had a Ford Fusion (the Fiesta on steroids ) car.
It had what looked like a standard pressed steel spare just like the steels on the the road, but it turned out that the wheel size was smaller but with a different tyre giving the same rolling circumference.

There was a 50mph warning sticker on it.
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