A flat tyre always seems to happen at the worst possible time. It could be on the way to work, on a road trip or late at night on the motorway. Luckily, most vehicles come equipped with a spare tyre; however, they have certain limitations that drivers must understand. Many spare tyres these days are temporary space saver tyres. Smaller than regular tyres, they fit snugly in your boot, and due to their smaller size, offer limited mileage. In most cases, this is around 50 miles.
What are the different types of spare tyres?
Whilst many cars are fitted with a space saver spare tyre, some manufacturers supply alternative types of spares that may prove more beneficial. These include:
- Full-size spare: The same as your regular tyre and suitable for driving as you normally would.
- Run-flat: The run-flat tyre allows you to drive for 50-100 miles even with a loss of air pressure without the need for a spare.
- Space saver: The temporary spare is capped at a 50mph speed limit and a 50-mile distance.
In many Land Rovers and Range Rovers, you’ll find full-size spares included, but smaller models will often come equipped with a space saver.
How fast can I drive on a spare tyre?
With spare, or space saver tyres being considerably smaller than regular tyres, they can’t be treated in the same way as your other tyres. This means maintaining sensible speeds to keep yourself and other road users safe. The speed limit for spare tyres is normally capped at 50mph, and with good reason. If you go any faster, you could unbalance the vehicle and cause an accident. In the rain, drivers should never exceed 50mph, and in most cases, it would be best to drive at speeds slower than this for optimal safety.
This can vary by tyre manufacturer, so it is always advisable to check the handbook first, just in case you exceed the recommended speeds.
Do I need to adjust how I drive when I have a spare tyre attached?
Yes. A temporary tyre provides a different driving experience from the one you normally encounter on regular tyres. This is because there is a lot less space for the tyre to grip. This results in a reduction in traction and changes in how you brake and corner. Spare tyres can see grip reduced on corners by as much as 15% and lengthen braking distances considerably. Therefore, drivers must take care when using spare tyres. Driving in the rain presents additional problems, as the reduction in grip may increase the chance of accidents.
It’s advisable to drive in the slow lane if using a motorway or fast road and consider using hazard lights to let other road users know your vehicle is compromised.
Drivers should also be aware that driving with an unsafe tyre can result in a fine of up to £2,500 and points on your licence. Therefore, driving carefully and replacing or repairing the spare as soon as possible is essential if you wish to avoid accidents and potential prosecution.
What to do if you need to use your spare tyre
If you need to use your spare tyre, in addition to monitoring your speed, there are also a few other things you should do before setting out.
- Check the tyre pressure. Before driving, check that your spare is properly inflated. A spare tyre without sufficient pressure poses a safety risk and may only get you a few miles before it gives up. You should also assess the tread, making sure there are no signs of excessive wear. Put a 20p into the tread to test the depth. If the outer band of the coin cannot be seen, your tread is ok. If you can see the outer rim, the tread is too low and may be unsafe.
- Plan your route. Planning a route that avoids rough terrain, steep hills or consistent high speeds will protect your spare for longer, allowing you to get to a service centre without compromising your Land Rover.
- Get the main tyre repaired. As soon as possible, get to a garage or service centre to have your main tyre repaired or replaced.
Can I put the spare tyre on the front of my Land Rover?
If your spare is a space saver, you can put it on the front, but it is not ideal. Ideally, you should look to move a rear tyre to the front and apply the space saver to the back. However, many Land Rover models do come with a full-size spare, meaning you can attach it to the front without concern. For smaller models of Land Rover, such as the Range Rover Velar or Evoque, space savers are common, and because of the 4WD nature of these vehicles, these tyres could affect traction control, ABS, strain the differentials and lead to uneven handling.
In some cases, changing to your spare tyre will not present any problems, especially if it is a full-size spare. However, space-savers mean you need to be a little more careful and pay extra attention to how fast and far you drive. At RCV, we provide Land Rover and Range Rover owners with comprehensive servicing to ensure your vehicle is in its best and safest condition. With Range Rover wheel alignment, MOTs and diagnostic testing among our offerings, we are pleased to be the all-in-one service centre for all JLR vehicles. Contact us today to book your service or ask us any questions.