Flat tyre and spacesavers

[stealthwolf]

I was driving back home on the motorway at the weekend and got the tyre pressure warning light. I tried to carry on to the nearest service station. The car then started vibrating a bit more. Then back end "wiggled" once. Had to slow right down, pulled off at the service station. Nearside rear tyre looked flat. I tried to fill it up but the air was leaking out as fast as the machine was pumping it in.

So switched over to the space saver with the widowmaker jack and had to drive back at 50 mph. Funny how some cars still follow you at that speed instead of overtaking!

Anyway, spacesavers - any reason why they're limited to 50mph? I think they're also rated for a specific distance - does anyone know when I need to replace it?
Does anyone have a part number for it?

Had a look at the tyre and there's a small hole in the side wall.

[th3_f15t]

Reason they're rated at 50mph is they are really small in terms of contact on the road, so they effect braking and stability hence the lower speed limit. Also, you're only ever supposed to use them on the rear anyway, if a front goes you're to put a rear wheel on the front and use the space spacer on the rear.

To be honest, if you're replacing the space saver, ditch it and get a full sized spare wheel instead... That's what I would do anyway.

[dronners]

i double on whats been said.  have a look how skinny the spacesaver is and ask yourself..  would you want to do 70 on that anyway ?     
and just to clarify again whats said.  spacesavers should only be on the rear if possible. or you risk additional wear on the differential and dodgy steering

[ocrory]

Reason they're rated at 50mph is they are really small in terms of contact on the road, so they effect braking and stability hence the lower speed limit. Also, you're only ever supposed to use them on the rear anyway, if a front goes you're to put a rear wheel on the front and use the space spacer on the rear.

To be honest, if you're replacing the space saver, ditch it and get a full sized spare wheel instead... That's what I would do anyway.

Have you managed to get a full size spare into the well in the boot? I haven't tried but just assumed it wouldn't!

[dazza]

In the states they have a full size spare. They have foam inserts which fit in the boot. 

[stealthwolf]

Yup plan was to get a fullsized alloy but I then need the foam insert, which I don't have the part number for. I kept thinking I would do this and then haven't bothered all these years. Then it happens.

The spacesaver is too small to go over the front brakes on my car so it would only ever be fitted on the rear.

[dazza]

1K6-858-858-C   INSERT, RIGHT
1K6-858-857-B   INSERT, LEFT

[Andy]

At least it comes with a space saver wheel instead of that foam of which wouldn't of worked