Open the boot of a broken-down car and what is found there varies enormously, a proper spare wheel, a skinny temporary one, a bottle and a pump, or nothing at all. Knowing which a car has, and what each can do, decides what happens next at the roadside.
Full-size spare
The most capable option is a full-size spare, a complete wheel and tyre matching the others. It can be driven on normally, with no speed or distance limit, and if it matches the set it can even be included in the rotation to share its wear.
The trade-off is weight and space: a full wheel is heavy and eats into the boot, which is why it has become less common. A full-size spare still needs looking after, its pressure checked occasionally and its age watched, since a spare that has sat for a decade may be past it even unused.
Space-saver
The space-saver, a narrow, lightweight temporary wheel, is the common compromise. It saves boot space and weight, but it is strictly a get-you-to-a-garage item:
- A speed limit, usually around 50 mph
- For short distances only, not extended driving
- It affects handling, braking and traction, so gentle driving is needed
How to fit and drive on one safely is covered in the guide to using a space-saver.
Run-flats instead of a spare
Many cars fitted with run-flat tyres carry no spare at all, the run-flats are the backup. A punctured run-flat can be driven on for a limited distance, typically around 50 miles at up to 50 mph, to reach help. The catch is that a run-flat that has been run flat usually cannot be repaired and needs replacing.
Sealant and compressor kit
The other common substitute for a spare is a tyre repair kit, a bottle of sealant and a small electric compressor. It can deal with a small puncture in the tread as a temporary fix, but not a sidewall or a large hole, as set out in the guide to repair kits and sealant.
No spare at all
It is increasingly normal for a car to carry nothing, relying on run-flats, a kit, or simply breakdown cover. If that is the case, it is worth knowing the options when there is no spare before a puncture forces the question.
From the workshop: the first thing to do isn't at the roadside, it's now, in the driveway. Open the boot, lift the floor, and find out what your car actually has. Half the people we recover are surprised to learn there's no spare, just a tin of goo they didn't know how to use.
Sources and accuracy. The descriptions and limits here reflect common manufacturer practice at the time of writing and vary by car; the handbook gives the specifics for that vehicle. If anything here looks wrong, get in touch and we will check it and put it right.
Common questions
What are the different types of spare wheel?+
Four common options: a full-size spare you can drive on normally, a space-saver narrow temporary wheel with speed and distance limits, run-flat tyres that let you limp on without a spare, and a sealant-and-compressor kit that fixes small punctures instead of a spare. Many new cars carry no spare at all.
What is a space-saver spare?+
A narrow, lightweight temporary wheel meant only to get you to a garage. It has a speed limit, usually around 50 mph, and is for short distances, not long-term use. It saves boot space and weight compared with a full-size spare.
Do new cars come with a spare wheel?+
Often not. To save weight and space, many new cars come with a sealant kit or run-flat tyres instead of a spare. Some offer a spare as an option or a dealer accessory, but it is no longer standard on a lot of models.
Is a full-size spare better than a space-saver?+
For capability, yes, a full-size spare can be driven on normally and even rotated into the set if it matches. The downside is the weight and boot space it takes. A space-saver trades that capability for being smaller and lighter.