Has anyone ever inflated the space saver spare wheel?

Hocminty

New Member
I have had to use the space saver wheel today, however when inflated to the recommended pressure the tyre looks oddly out of shape. I only had to travel about a mile (very carefully) but surely this isn’t how it’s meant to be?
 
I have had to use the space saver wheel today, however when inflated to the recommended pressure the tyre looks oddly out of shape. I only had to travel about a mile (very carefully) but surely this isn’t how it’s meant to be?
A picture tells a thousand words ?
 
We have a with our a2 a space saver you need to inflate to use! Now as the car is 18 years old I assume the space saver is as well, So will it be any good?Our previous A2 only came with puncture repair kit.After we had been left stranded on the side of the road for the second time with major damage to the tyreI bought a “temp”restricted mph tyre which as is Sod’s law we never needed!Should I inflate the one we now have or replace it! Won,t be going anywhere for next “few” weeks!!!
 

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The collapsible space saver is certainly a unique design and almost hinged for want of a better term, so doesn't look at all conventional.

As long as it is correctly inflated with enough air it should be fine ?
 
Vredestein space master
Afternoon,

The picture shown looks the same as mine did once inflated when I had to use it early last year. It made the rest of the journey home (10 miles) safely, abiding by the wheel speed limit. Once home it was then deflated and returned to its home ready to serve again.

It really is the strangest of tyres and never come across anything like it before. I must admit I was worried that 15-20 year old tyre might fail and leave me in a untidy situation but all was good.

When it was transferred to Project OEM I fully cleaned it and gave the walls plenty of rubber treatment to hopefully keep it safe and reliable should I need it again.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Mine was already inflated by the previous owner and left like that. It proves it holds air but my issue is should I leave it inflated? I don't need it for my car because I have 16s on but as it is nearly 20 years old I didn't want to inflate/deflate it too much.
 
Mine was already inflated by the previous owner and left like that. It proves it holds air but my issue is should I leave it inflated? I don't need it for my car because I have 16s on but as it is nearly 20 years old I didn't want to inflate/deflate it too much.
It doesn't make any difference if you have 15, 16 or 17" wheels on your car, the space saver is still the correct size as the sidewalls are less deep the larger the wheel giving roughly the same circumference (hence why larger wheels give less comfort and a harder ride). Standard is 60 profile for 15's, 50 for 16's and 40 for 17's.

I appreciate what you mean, constantly deflating and inflating an older tyre wouldn't be a great idea as the rubber obviously gets more brittle as it gets older but i would have thought it should be fine to deflate it so it fits in your boot better, as designed, for if and when you need it again ?
 
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It doesn't make any difference if you have 15, 16 or 17" wheels on your car, the space saver is still the correct size as the sidewalls are less deep the larger the wheel giving roughly the same circumference (hence why larger wheels give less comfort and a harder ride). Standard is 60 profile for 15's, 50 for 16's and 40 for 17's ?

I know what you mean, constantly deflating and inflating an older tyre wouldn't be a great idea but i would have thought it should be fine to deflate it so it fits in your boot better, as designed, for if and when you need it again
Thanks @A2Z, I never knew that. I assumed it was only for 15" wheels. I am going to deflate the tyre now but I will spray something on it first to protect it and it's elasticity.
 
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When it was transferred to Project OEM I fully cleaned it and gave the walls plenty of rubber treatment to hopefully keep it safe and reliable should I need it again.

Did it go back to the same position as it started at? I don't think I'd use mine, it looks great all folded up, would seem a shame to sully it.
 
Did it go back to the same position as it started at? I don't think I'd use mine, it looks great all folded up, would seem a shame to sully it.
Evening,

Yes, when deflating it, it did start to fold back up, amazing construction. I used a ratchet strap to squeeze the last of the air out and it looks just how it did before inflating it.

If you're not going to ever use it do you want to sell it as Project 250 could do with one?

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Yes i have tried, thankfully i didn't need to use it . It did the same as yours, i presumed the rubber had in some way deteriorated so have put that to one side in the not to be used pile. I obtained another and it inflates as it should.
 
Thanks for the input, I take it that it’s not inflating correctly though it did get me home ok. Hopefully it will be cleaned up, deflated and stored back in the boot. Does look kinda cool sat in there.
 
Yes i have tried, thankfully i didn't need to use it . It did the same as yours, i presumed the rubber had in some way deteriorated so have put that to one side in the not to be used pile. I obtained another and it inflates as it should.
When you state “inflates as it should” do you mean it sits square on the rim? Like others mention mine is offset towards the outside of the rim?
 
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