Puncture repair kits v. space saver spare wheel

[MantaRay]

I notice that a lot of new cars, particularly smaller vehicles, don't come with space saver spare wheels any more, just a spray can puncture repair kit. Are these repair kits good enough to complete a journey or really only intended to get you to the next motorway junction or nearest garage? Has anybody used these kits and completed a longish journey satisfactorily? In your experience is a space saver a lot more use?

[gingejbee]

Never would buy a car with either of these contraptions. It's a proper spare-wheel or no sale.

[Iggle Piggle]

I wouldn't use the puncture repair spray can. If you have space, buy a full sized spare, especially if you have a 4x4, an estate that is regularly loaded, if you tow a caravan at all, or if you like to have punctures mended.
The tyre shops don't repair punctures even if they are in the middle of the tread when the spray repair has been used so even if there is plenty of tread left, the tyre is scrap.

[TWR]

Gingejbee, I totally agree with what you say, the manufacture are saving money at the customers expense, Its a spare wheel or nothing.

[chas2008]

its not all about saving money its about achieving extra space...You would be surprised at how many modern vehicles now use these kits,

[gingejbee]

...and you would be surprised at how many vehicles are supplied with a space-saver wheel/tyre when there is ample space for a full-sized one. As TWR has said, cost-saving and money-making rather than space-saving in a lot of cases.

[chas2008]

the clues in the name 'space saver', space saver wheels / tyres are not cheap, even the alloy wheel argument doesnt work as manufacturers have been putting steel wheels as spares for years...
They then replaced them with space savers (which are more expensive) to gain a deeper boot space...

[MantaRay]

Actually I'm quite happy about space savers and the advantages but unsure as to whether these puncture repair kits are much use. Will they allow you to complete a longish journey or are they really only any use for a few miles?

[annieigma]

Hi,
I bought one of these cans of stuff, got a puncture, connected it up, pressed the lever, it kept gong for about 3 minutes, but did NOT pump up the tyre,
( didn't really expect a little can to pump up a whole tyre from scratch) but, when I put air in the tyre it stayed up for ever until it was worn out, so It must have done some good. Has anyone actually pumped up a tyre with an aerosole can??? love to know,
annie.

[joko]

i would imagine thet must have some good points, otherwise new car manufacturers wouldnt risk it...they have stringent testing for their vehicle, i doubt theyd skimp on this stuff if it was crap

people will tell you its crap because they 'dont like the sound of it'...or because tyre yards and garages have put them off...but then they would wouldnt they?
they dont want people fixing their own tyres...

[chas2008]

annieigma,
the inflation kits from the manufacturers consist of a pump which is plugged into the cigarette lighter plus the fluid, they cost anything from £80.00 upwards... They are not nasty aerosol cans....

http://www.mx5-3rdgen.../flat_tyre_repair.htm

[TWR]

I was valeting a person's expensive car, all was well until I should him his spare wheel, a get you home stupid tyre, he was not amused the car cost him £20.000 + he phoned up the local Blackburn agent & demanded that the wheel be changed for a proper spooked alloy road wheel, they said that was the one for the car to his reply, I will never ever buy a BMW from you again " the wheel was changed" Space saver! the Manufacture should have said that the car has less metal in the boot to save them money

[chas2008]

Some BMWs have different sized wheels front to rear (& not just BMWs) ,whats the point of £500+ alloy wheel/tyre that can only be used on one end of the vehicle ?? another valid reason for a space saver....
not all spare wheels fit in a well, many are mounted underneath so no metal saved ....this is often done on people carriers to allow the 3rd row of seats to stow flat a thinner space saver fits in the limited amount of room.
I can see TWR is not a fan of space savers but its not all about saving money its as much about modern vehicle design and even MPG, space savers weigh less ,another few Kilos saved on the vehicle weight.

[Old_Geezer]

I was amazed to find my woman's car had one of these things when we got a puncture a few years back. Still called the AA to sort it. Well didn't think we wanted to go messing about with unclear instructions instead of simply jacking the vehicle up, changing the wheel, lowering it, and driving off secure in the knowledge all was well. Who knows if it was even still viable. IMO a new car with one is a bit of a con, regardless as to whether it'll get you to the next garage or not. It's a case of not providing what can reasonably be expected to be provided.

[TWR]

Chas, I do not like them, will never have or use them, no confidence or trust in them. Technology may be a fine thing, but not at my expense when it comes to a car & the tyres, Eg, a person kerbs their car, they can replace with a proper spare, I admit that's not a puncture but that's not the point, what happens if you hit debris late at night & the tyre will not inflate? this magic tin will not repair the tyre in them circumstances, we all have our views, but going back to what myself would do if I bought new & there was none or one of these mickey bloody mouse tyres in the boot, they can either supply me with a proper wheel for the car or go elsewhere that does. Simple.

[chas2008]

Just one more option 'runflats'

[RATTER15]

Our neighbour just a few days ago spend 9 hours stuck on Dartmoor with no reception on their mobile, no spare wheel, they hit a granite outcrop and ripped a hole in the tyre, they tried the repair kit but it came straight out the hole in the side of the tyre, they eventually arrived back home at 3 am.

You really need to carry a spare.

[ChuckFickens]

I've got no problems with space savers, they will always get you home which is the point of a spare. I wouldn't want anything with the repair kit in place of a spare though.... As in the case Ratter just stated if you get anything more than a nail in your tyre the repair cans are simply not going to work.

[whiskeryron]

Can any A/Ber explain to me why puncture free tyres have never been developed ? Surely they are not that difficult to make, when you could have a solid tyre that is full of air bubbles ( like Aero chocolate) which would have to be replaced with loss of tread. One of the most dangerous things that can happen at present is a tyre blow out at high speed.

Ron.

[ChuckFickens]

"Can any A/Ber explain to me why puncture free tyres have never been developed"

They have, they are called run flats.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run-flat_tire

[douglas9401]

If I could add my two bob's worth:
After taking delivery of a Citroen Grande Picasso which had no spare wheel I installed Ultraseal, a constantly liquid sealant that fills the hole left by nails etc and had no problems at all. It doesn't help in the event of a blow-out or hitting a kerb at speed, nothing does, but it has given day-to-day peace of mind. We have a C3 Picasso now, with a space saver, and Ultraseal installed.