Road Hero Space Saver Wheels

No, space saver tyres are specifically designed for certain makes and models, as different vehicles have slightly different wheel and tyre characteristics. Luckily, Road Hero has over 100 variations of space saver tyre available, so there’s bound to be a kit compatible with your vehicle.

As the name suggests, spare wheels are not intended for permanent use — they’re just spares for when a problem arises with one of your regular tyres. As such, space saver spare wheels are built differently than regular, high-performance tyres, meaning they aren’t to be used in the same way.

Space saver tyres have limited tread and a much softer rubber compound, so they shouldn’t be used for extended distances. Also, space saver spare tyres often have a speed limit of 50 mph for safety reasons (but it’s worth checking your handbook and any labels on the tyre itself to verify this for your exact tyre).

As mentioned above, space saver tyres are only intended to be used in the event of an emergency — so, for as long as it takes to get your car home or to a tyre repair centre. Typically, manufacturers recommend that you drive no longer than 50 miles on a space saver tyre, owing mainly to their lower tread depths and capabilities.

A space saver spare tyre is a smaller version of a spare wheel and is lighter, more compact, and designed to maximise space in your car’s boot. Space saver tyres are intended for emergency use for short periods of time — and at reduced speeds. Regular spare tyres, on the other hand, are identical to your other wheels and can be used to replace one of your tyres if you encounter a puncture.

Yes, we would recommend that every driver carries a spare wheel with them — space saver or otherwise. This can often mean the difference between getting back on the road quickly after a puncture, or having to stand in the cold and wait for roadside assistance for hours. Since many modern cars don’t come with a spare wheel, Road Hero is a great investment to keep in the boot in case of emergencies.

While you can drive on the motorway with space saving spare tyres fitted, you should not exceed their advised speed limit (usually 50 mph). As a rule of thumb, it’s generally best to avoid extensive motorway driving since space saving spare tyres are not designed for prolonged use.

If you turn up to your MOT with a space saver spare tyre fitted to your car (instead of regular tyres), you may fail your MOT, yes. However, simply having a space saver wheel in your boot in case of emergencies has no impact on your MOT results, since spare tyres are not checked.

For safety reasons, your spare tyre may be restricted to use only on the front or only on the back of your vehicle. This is usually to avoid any potential interference with the braking system or to reduce the likelihood of any transmission damage. When fitting your spare, it’s essential that you check whether it goes on the front or the back.

It is possible for you to reuse a space saver tyre, but only if:

• The tyre is undamaged
• The tyre is within its recommended lifespan
• You do not reuse the tyre repeatedly for extended trips
• You check the tyre pressure before each use.

The most common maximum speed for a space saver tyre is around 50 mph. However, you should always check your handbook or the sidewall of the tyre for exact manufacturer recommendations specific to your vehicle.

Generally speaking, the suggested pressure for a space saver tyre is usually 60 psi, though this may differ between manufacturers.

Just like regular tyres, spare tyres can lose air over extended periods of time. That’s why it's recommended that drivers regularly check the tyre pressure of their spare tyres to ensure readiness for emergency use.