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Spare Wheel or Puncture Repair Outfit?

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Old Jun 26th, 2018, 12:42   #21
Grimble
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Considering how health and safety obsessed the authorities are when it comes to cars it astounds me that they allow cars to be sold without a spare wheel.
Being stranded on any road is dangerous and the sooner you are out of that situation the better.
Last time I had a puncture was in the USA with a hire car. Did it in 7 minutes with my missus on lookout duty.
Thank god the hire car had a full size spare.
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Old Jun 26th, 2018, 13:01   #22
OV4
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The compressor and gunk is, in my view, a way for the manufacturers to try to convince themselves and the consumer that they have provided a solution to punctures and flat tyres - justifying, if you like, the removal of the spare (a proper solution).

Yes, I know, spare wheels are heavy and removing them saves weight and cost, but what if the tyre is shredded? Or the wheel damaged so that it is not safe to drive on? Or you don’t have a mobile signal?

Or - and this is the really frightening one - you are on one of the new ‘smart’ motorways that don’t have a permanent hard shoulder?


The absence of a spare wheel is one of the really lamentable compromises associated with my new XC60 (no spare wheel well in a hybrid). The last time I had a flat tyre, the wheel was damaged too and there was no way a compressor and gunk would have done anything other than make a horrid mess. I’m considering buying a jack, wheel brace, and spare wheel to put in the boot for long trips. Not perfect, but better than sitting like a bump on a log on lane one of the M25, waiting for passing traffic to magic the car into scrap.
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Old Jun 26th, 2018, 13:56   #23
ThomasG
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I know it wasn't intended, but I don't see myself as "bump on the log"

Reg14

Quote:
2. Additional rules for motorways (275 to 278)

275
If your vehicle develops a problem, leave the motorway at the next exit or pull into a service area. If you cannot do so, you should:

...verge.

Never attempt to place a warning triangle on a motorway


do not put yourself in danger by attempting even simple repairs

ensure that passengers keep away from...
Source:


http://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/addit...motorways.html

Quote:
Rule 274
If your vehicle breaks down, think first of all other road users and

put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres... ... but never use them on motorways
Source: (actually both quotations can be found here)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-high...nts-274-to-287

So, just to clarify- by changing wheel on motorway you might be breaking law.
In addition, I was told not to by policeman.
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Old Jun 26th, 2018, 14:10   #24
volvo always
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My Lexus IS 220d only came with a knackered space saver.

I bought a full size matching alloy and it fits with the bottom of the tray/ boot cover cut away.

Like a full size spare.

James
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Old Jun 26th, 2018, 15:17   #25
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I didn't read it as saying that he would stop to change the wheel on a smart motorway. I read it as you have no choice but to keep driving on the damaged wheel/tyre - in which case, having a tin of gunk and a compressor isn't going to be any use whatsoever once you get to a slip road or layby
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Old Jun 26th, 2018, 18:59   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Baxlin View Post
I’d love the extra boot space in my C70, particularly when the top’s down!!!

As it is, I have a full size (albeit steel not a matching alloy) spare AND a bottle of gunk.....

As a matter of interest, do Volvo provide a jack etc with cars that just have the gunk?
No, you have to buy those as well as the spare.

Paul.
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Old Jun 26th, 2018, 19:00   #27
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Spare for me. Stranded with puncture for first time in life on Sunday, gash in sidewall, daughters Kia only had compressor and gunk. No use. That said, that is my first non proceed due to puncture in over thirty years and over two hundred cars and god knows how many miles driving.
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Old Jun 26th, 2018, 19:13   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThomasG View Post
Quite close to my experience- after limping me (and destroying the tyre in process) to safe bay on M25, copper came to me and told me NOT to change the wheel myself as its side facing traffic, and I'm being watched by CCTV on the post 100 yards away.
Then added (seeing my 8yo daughter asleep on the back seat, 3am Monday, misus in state of panic, slight drizzle from sky) "by law I have to tell you to leave the car and wait behind the barrier. So, I told you and now good luck. AA estimates they'll make it to you in 2 hours".

They made it in 5...

I'll let you guess did any of us leave the car to stand in the rain.

And AA wouldn't take us home either. Only to nearest place to change the wheel for spare. Without it...
Afraid dependant on traffic conditions they would of arrived to find the car on the jack and the wheel off were it me. I carry an hydralic bottle jack as its far quicker and safer than the volvo body jack. Limping to a place of safety may be an official solution but it's a new tyre at least and with alloys a new wheel probably.
Puncture at motorway speeds and the tyre is ruined before you can come to a stop. Are you then going to risk it shreding as you limp along depositing debris for others to clear up.

I work on the highways and am well aware of the danger, the less time me and mine spend stranded at the side of the road the better. If necessary get the nearside on the verge to give yourself working room.

You can get flashing amber led beacons that have magnetic bases for under a fiver these days, if necessary stick one on the roof when needed.

Paul.
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Old Jun 26th, 2018, 20:10   #29
NigelDay
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In addition to the space saver, I also have an aerosol can of Michelin 'gunk' and a DIY repair kit like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Emergency...8AAOSw-0xYVq2A
I have never used any of these items, and the last one was only purchased because it looked intriguing. I'd only use it if all else failed.
And, of course, I carry a 12v compressor.
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Old Jun 26th, 2018, 20:26   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThomasG View Post

So, just to clarify- by changing wheel on motorway you might be breaking law.
In addition, I was told not to by policeman.

The ‘bump on a log’ would be me, in my XC60 without a spare wheel.

I’m not in favour of changing wheels on motorways and haven’t done so - thinking myself lucky that, so far, I’ve only had one puncture on a motorway and that one sufficiently slow that I was able to slow down, leave at the next exit, and change the wheel on a lit petrol station forecourt (it was autumn, evening, and dark. 1995 Honda Accord - great car).

Why I’d be a log-bound bump:
in my XC60, without spare wheel, a motorway puncture (fully flat) means stop immediately, even if it’s rush hour on the M25 and you have to halt in lane one because there’s less and less hard shoulder. If you continue to a refuge or to the next exit there’s a high risk of needing a new wheel as well as a new tyre, and when the breakdown recovery people come they’ll need to take you somewhere that can supply a new tyre and, possibly, a wheel. If it’s the weekend, and you’re on a driving holiday? Wave goodbye to your plans

With a spare wheel, however:
there’s the option to stop immediately and wait, as per the first scenario - but there’s also the option to continue to a place of safety, change the wheel, and be on your way. It’s the weekend, and you’re on a driving holiday? No worries

Hence my thinking that it’d be good to get a spare wheel and accompanying kit for long trips and driving holidays, so that when my luck runs out I’m not then immobilised for three days while the Volvo dealer in Zurich (I drive to and from Austria and Germany quite often) sources a new wheel of the correct size and design, and readies their credit card terminal for the ALMIGHTY BEATING they’re about to give my wallet.
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