Spare Wheel, Space-Saver or Repair Kit: What's in Your Boot?
Cars come with one of three puncture solutions: a full-size spare, a space-saver spare, or a tyre repair (sealant) kit. Many new cars now have only a repair kit to save weight and space. Each has limits, so it is worth knowing what is in your boot, and that the tools are there, before you get a puncture.
Full-size spare wheel
A full-size spare is the best option: a normal wheel and tyre you can fit and drive on with no special restrictions, provided it is in good condition and correctly inflated.
Fewer new cars include one now, as it adds weight and takes up boot space, but many older cars and some larger vehicles still have them. Check its condition and pressure occasionally, as a spare that has sat for years can be flat or perished when you finally need it.
Space-saver spare
A space-saver is a narrow, temporary spare designed to save room. It gets you going after a puncture but comes with limits, usually a maximum of around 50mph and a restricted distance, marked on the wheel itself.
It is a get-you-to-a-garage solution, not a permanent one. Handling, grip and braking are reduced on a space-saver, so drive gently, avoid motorways where you can, and replace it with a proper wheel and tyre as soon as possible.
Tyre repair (sealant) kit
Many new cars come with a repair kit instead of any spare: a bottle of sealant and a small compressor. You inject the sealant into the tyre and inflate it, which can seal a small puncture in the tread well enough to reach a garage.
- Only works on small punctures in the central tread.
- Cannot fix sidewall damage, large holes or a blowout.
- The sealant is temporary and the tyre still needs proper inspection.
The limits of a repair kit
It is important to understand what a sealant kit cannot do. If the puncture is in the sidewall or shoulder, the hole is large, or the tyre has come off the rim, the kit will not help and you will need recovery.
Sealant can also make a subsequent professional repair messier or impossible, and some garages will only replace a sealed tyre rather than repair it. So treat the kit as an emergency get-you-home measure, then have the tyre inspected and properly sorted promptly.
Check what you have before you need it
The worst time to discover you have no spare, a flat space-saver or a missing jack is at the roadside in the rain. Take five minutes now to check your boot: what puncture solution you have, that it is in good condition, and that the jack, wrench and locking wheel-nut key are all present.
If you have a space-saver or spare, make sure you actually know how to fit it, or at least where the instructions are. A little familiarity beforehand turns a roadside puncture from a crisis into an inconvenience.
Whatever you have, sort it properly after
All three options are about getting you moving again, not fixing the tyre. Whether you fit a space-saver, use a repair kit, or limp in on a slow puncture, the next step is the same: have the damaged tyre inspected.
We will check whether it can be repaired to the British Standard or needs replacing, and fit a new tyre if needed, often the same day. If your car has no spare and you would prefer one, we can also advise on the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do new cars not have a spare wheel?
Many new cars come with a tyre repair kit instead of a spare to save weight and boot space, which slightly improves fuel economy and frees up room. It is a manufacturer choice, so check what your car has: a full-size spare, a space-saver, or just a sealant repair kit.
How far can I drive on a space-saver spare?
A space-saver is temporary, with limits usually around 50mph and a restricted distance marked on the wheel. Drive gently, avoid motorways where you can, and replace it with a proper wheel and tyre as soon as possible, as grip, handling and braking are all reduced on it.
Do tyre repair kits actually work?
For small punctures in the central tread, a sealant kit can seal the tyre well enough to reach a garage. But it cannot fix sidewall damage, large holes or a blowout, and the sealant is temporary. Always have a kit-sealed tyre inspected and properly repaired or replaced afterwards.
What should I check in my boot before a trip?
Check what puncture solution you have and that it is in good condition: a spare's pressure, a repair kit's sealant being in date, and that the jack, wrench and locking wheel-nut key are all present. Knowing how to use it beforehand turns a roadside puncture into a minor inconvenience.
Can a tyre be repaired after using a sealant kit?
Sometimes, but the sealant can make a professional repair messier or impossible, and some garages will replace a sealed tyre rather than repair it. Treat the kit as an emergency measure, then have the tyre inspected promptly so we can advise whether it can be repaired or needs replacing.
Book With Norwich Tyres & Auto Service
Need a hand from a real, independent Norwich garage? Call 07933 900901 or pop into Ber Street, NR1 3ES. Same-day tyre fitting is available on most common sizes, with free parking on site.
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