Space saver tyre

[Guest]

Been forced to drive around with the space saver tyre last couple of days. How safe is it considering its 23 years old and the owners handbook mentions something about it being illegal in the UK? Obviously I have kept my speed below 50mph but it still feels dodgy.

 

[Steven944]

hmmm...............i think it's as safe as any 23 year old tyre with hardly any tread pattern to speak of. i.e. not very safe at all, really.

 

[Guest]

I thought they had tightened the law and all tyres inc. spare have to be under 7 years.
So you could be on dodgy ground with the Police.
Mind you, it's part of the MOT, so they should have said something if it really is that old.

Unless there is some exemption due to the age of the vehicle?

 

[Mrkjblue]

When your car was new it was illegal to use a space saver tyre, in fact porsche gave you a number to ring if you had a puncture, this was changed around 1983-4.
I wouldnt use mine (in fact its in the shed[]), too old. I would just call the aa-rac.

 

[bones]

Saves about 50lbs in weight if you take it out and carry a can or two of tyre inflater. If the tyre really disintegrates (unlikely) then you can use your breakdown cover which should be a must for anyone owning a car of this age. Incidentally I think it's a good idea for all us owners of older cars to carry a fire extinguisher as the wiring does harden with age and may become more prone to chaffing and general failure of it's integrity , better safe than sorry.