A space-saver tyre is a smaller-than-average spare wheel to get the vehicle to a garage in the event of a puncture. Space saver type tyres are strictly for emergency use only, and should not be used as a standard road tyre.

There are a few things to bear in mind with space-saver tyres. Do not use space saver tyres at high speed, for extended periods of time, or for long distances.

It is very important to get the normal tyre repaired and fitted back on your vehicle as soon as possible.

There are dangers associated with using space-saver spare tyres. Independent tests have shown that they could increase stopping distances by almost 50 per cent and reduce cornering grip by as much as 13 per cent.

Spacesaver tyres are a smaller spare tyre that is much thinner than the vehicles standard normal tyre size. Space-saver tyres were initially produced for sports cars where space is at a premium, but are now used to save money for a number of car makers to provide a bigger boot.

Some space-saver tyres are so skinny and provide much less grip than normal road going tyres. Commonly space-saver tyres have a maximum speed rating of 80 km/h.

The use of such spare-saver tyres in new cars is becoming more common. Even some locally made Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores – allegedly set up for Australia’s vast distances and rugged landscape – also use space-saver spare tyres. I’m not a fan of them, but around town and for short distances, space saver tyres can be a good help, especially in smaller cars where boot space is limited. Space saver tyres can also be useful in cars that have been converted to run on LPG with the new tank mounted in the spare wheel well. To quote the medicine companies, always use strictly as directed and if symptoms persist, see your… local puncture repair service.We hope that helps answer the question ‘What is What is a Space-Saver Tyre?’!

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