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Has anyone actually used the space saver on the XC70?

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Old Dec 15th, 2019, 09:39   #11
Tannaton
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The idea of a space saver is a get you home substitute, it’s clearly stated that you should not exceed 50mph (there is a usually a big sticker on the wheel) and drive in a way that avoids all but light throttle and braking.

They generally perform okay, the grip isn’t quit as reduced as you think as although the contact surface with the road is much smaller, the pressure (pounds per square inch) is proportionately higher so the grip level is higher than its appearance might suggest. However the stresses on the tyre are considerably greater and hence the speed limit - to prevent overheating and excess forces on the tyre. In normal use a space saver tyre would last only around 1000 miles.

There are two schools of thought as to whether you should use a space saver on the front or rear axle. On the front the wheels keep the car off the road, and push it along, do most of the braking, and all of the steering so putting the space saver to the rear where it just keeps the car off the road and does a little bit of braking seems a good idea as it will be under less stress and less likely to impact the normal driving of the car.

But... and this dovetails into the debate on whether you fit a pair of new tyres to the front or rear (which is documented in the manual) if the weaker tyre(s) are to the rear and you are doing your maximum 50 mph and have to make a emergency avoiding manoeuvre you are much more likely to end up facing the wrong way or in a hedge.

So if I had to make a choice I would put it on the front of the car and drive like Miss Daisy. But I think the bigger issue here is that the use of space savers should be thought of like towing - it’s a get you home with care option only, you should not assume you use the car normally with one. If you present your car for an MOT test with a space saver it will fail.
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Old Dec 16th, 2019, 17:23   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tannaton View Post
The idea of a space saver is a get you home substitute, it’s clearly stated that you should not exceed 50mph (there is a usually a big sticker on the wheel) and drive in a way that avoids all but light throttle and braking.

They generally perform okay, the grip isn’t quit as reduced as you think as although the contact surface with the road is much smaller, the pressure (pounds per square inch) is proportionately higher so the grip level is higher than its appearance might suggest. However the stresses on the tyre are considerably greater and hence the speed limit - to prevent overheating and excess forces on the tyre. In normal use a space saver tyre would last only around 1000 miles.

There are two schools of thought as to whether you should use a space saver on the front or rear axle. On the front the wheels keep the car off the road, and push it along, do most of the braking, and all of the steering so putting the space saver to the rear where it just keeps the car off the road and does a little bit of braking seems a good idea as it will be under less stress and less likely to impact the normal driving of the car.

But... and this dovetails into the debate on whether you fit a pair of new tyres to the front or rear (which is documented in the manual) if the weaker tyre(s) are to the rear and you are doing your maximum 50 mph and have to make a emergency avoiding manoeuvre you are much more likely to end up facing the wrong way or in a hedge.

So if I had to make a choice I would put it on the front of the car and drive like Miss Daisy. But I think the bigger issue here is that the use of space savers should be thought of like towing - it’s a get you home with care option only, you should not assume you use the car normally with one. If you present your car for an MOT test with a space saver it will fail.
May I say what a good post Tannaton. I wrote to Volvo UK Technical when I bought out V70 in 2013 about this because the Volvo dealer supplying it could answer my question. Volvo said similar, but advised any axle and even towing trailer/caravan. I had specifically asked about Caravan. I was delighted, and still am.
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Old Dec 17th, 2019, 11:10   #13
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In the Volvo scheme of things, a space saver is a real luxury. They didn't supply one with my 2012 XC70. All I had was a can of sealing gunk and an electric airpump/gunk injector with the warning that once a punctured tyre had been sealed with the gunk it could no longer be repaired and should be discarded. As new tyres cost about the same as a space saver wheel, I bought one but did feel short changed by Volvo. What do they supply to their traditional customers in the north of Sweden? I wouldn't want to be relying on a space saver let alone a can of gunk if I lived up there!
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Old Dec 17th, 2019, 12:22   #14
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I have used space savers twice once on my XC60 and once on my previous Merc E320:CDi. As stated above they are better on the rear and I would swop the tyres around to achieve this if possible. (Not possible on my Merc)

Both were fine if you stayed at 50 mph max but the Merc also recommended a distance limit of 50 miles.
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Old Dec 17th, 2019, 12:50   #15
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The really odd thing about the V70 (not sure about XC), the P2 version <2007 had a full size wheel dish in the floor. The P3 looks the same, but a full size w&t will not go in - I know because I went to the trouble of negotiating one when I bought the car, confident I would squeeze it in there, then discovered the reality. Sold the w&t and bought a space saver.
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Old Dec 17th, 2019, 13:42   #16
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As stated above they are better on the rear and I would swop the tyres around to achieve this if possible.
What you really mean is they give you more of a false sense of security when on the rear...
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Old Dec 17th, 2019, 15:12   #17
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Just for completeness the V70 P2 <2007 can't take a full size spare if you have the seven seat option.
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Old Dec 21st, 2019, 21:39   #18
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Thanks all for the replies, makes me feel a bit happier about it.

I have a full size steel spare of the correct offset and rolling circumference for the car, but as others have said there is no way its going in the wheel well. So it lives in the garage and I guess I might just carry it in the boot if ever going on a long trip to the back and beyond.
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Old Dec 21st, 2019, 22:29   #19
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Thanks all for the replies, makes me feel a bit happier about it.

I have a full size steel spare of the correct offset and rolling circumference for the car, but as others have said there is no way its going in the wheel well. So it lives in the garage and I guess I might just carry it in the boot if ever going on a long trip to the back and beyond.
Good plan, exactly what I do.
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Old Dec 22nd, 2019, 03:02   #20
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I was forced to use mine once when I got a puncture whilst towing our caravan back from Skipton; it was late on a Sunday afternoon and we were on that nasty bit of the A59 that crosses Blubberhouses Moor, so I had no option but to fit the space saver and carry on. I fitted the wheel to the near side front, as I thought the 90Kg noseweight of the caravan plus the luggage etc in the back of the car would maybe be too much for the space saver, and we completed the 120 miles home without any problems whatsoever.
Towing the caravan meant that speed was not too much of an issue, but I have no doubt that the speed will have crept up towards 60 when we were on the A1.
The biggest problem I had was what to do with the full size wheel that I took off as it was too big to fit into the car, and too heavy to put into the caravan.
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