


However, if you are driving a rear-wheel drive car with a limited slip differential, putting the space saver on the rear can damage the LSD. The front wheels are used for turning and (in a front-wheel drive car) transmitting power to the road, so it’s best to have the widest, most grippy tyres possible on the front. If you get a flat front tyre, swap the rear tyre from the same side to the front and put the space saver on the rear. Where should you put your space saver wheel? Space saver wheels are perfectly safe if you follow the instructions: keep your speed down and don’t drive any further than necessary. When you check the air pressure in your car tyres remember to also check the pressure in the space saver or spare tyre. Having a space saver fitted means that you won’t be able to swerve as effectively to avoid an emergency. Never fit more than one space saver wheel to your car at any time as each space saver reduces your cornering grip by 10-15% and lengthens your braking distance as there’s less rubber in contact with the road. Preferably, though, the journey will be as short as is possible for you to get to a tyre shop to repair or replace your regular tyre. The maximum distance you can drive on a space saver tyre is usually marked as around 50 miles (80km) but if necessary they can be driven up to 300 miles (500km) on good surfaces as slow speeds. This is the dry weather speed and if it’s wet you should go slower. However, while some are rated higher (e.g.

The maximum speed on a space saver is 50mph (80kph) according to European law. Hyundai Accent space saver wheel in the wheel well in the boot
