[mugla]

I'm hoping you can advise me on something I'm becoming increasingly worried about - spare tyres.
I'm about to order my next car via the Motability scheme (I'm disabled) and thought I'd done quite well in narrowing down my search to a handful of cars. Off I went to the first dealership - Nissan - to have a look at the Note and the Qashqai - both look very good, and suitable. THEN I read the brochures thoroughly and was shocked and disappointed to see they both have spacesaver spares.
I now discover this is becoming ever more common, and others don't even have a spacesaver, just some "goo", and then I hear about runflats?...
I frequently travel, often alone, in very remote Northern Scotland. A puncture/blowout etc is bad enough when it can be replaced by a full size spare, but I dread to think what I'd do in the middle of the night, miles from anywhere with either a spacesaver (which I don't think is able to go far enough to get me a new tyre), or goo (not much use for a blowout).
How far are you supposed to travel on a spacesaver?
Why are these options becoming more commonly used?
Can you tell me manufacturers/models who still have full size spares?
Thanks

[306OWNER]

Space Savers

Check with the manufacturer you go with it varies from one to another but I have read about 50 miles at an average of 50 mph is safe for a space saver. but dont forget with a motorbility Vehicle you always get RAC Breakdown cover anyway so call in for recovery if not sure.:)

[ficklejade]

mugla,
306owner's response very sensible but I would also recommend you check with RAC - I've found them helpful. I know from experience that they will do their damndest to help vulnerable people (my parents were both disabled in one way or another). Fortunately, the areas of Scotland you travel in do not have the ferry situations we used to have in the past that could hold things up for hours.
Personally, I agree with you; I am not happy about spacesaver tyres and visitors to my part of Scotland with roads that often resemble a patchwork quilt of potholes that would ground a 4x4 find these can't cope with anything like 50 miles.
Good luck!:)

[Marcusdarkus]

Originally Posted by 306OWNER

Check with the manufacturer you go with it varies from one to another but I have read about 50 miles at an average of 50 mph is safe for a space saver. but dont forget with a motorbility Vehicle you always get RAC Breakdown cover anyway so call in for recovery if not sure.:)

As long as the vehicle is roadworthy, there would be no reason to need a recovery. It is not a service that you are able to request. If you call, a patrol will attend, and fit the sapre and give you the appropriate advice after assesing the situation.

The space saver tyre is designed to get you to a local garage at a safe speed to get the tyre repaired or replaced.

[mugla]

Thanks for the advice - am still concerned about ending up too far from a garage that could replace my tyre - but I've looked at loads of new cars now, and they all seem to come with spacesavers so I might just have to risk it.

If I need a tyre changed and don't have anyone with me, then it would be an RAC callout under the Motability scheme ... which is a good comfort ... just don't know what to do when the spacesaver runs out of miles if there isn't a tyre place close by (have investigated and there aren't many in the far north and northwest of Scotland) .. what would the RAC advise in those circumstances?

Also, what am I supposed to do with the damaged tyre if it doesn't fit into the spacesaver space!!

All advice on what to do and car suggestions welcome.

Thanks