No spare tyre? Why is nobody talking about this? | Auto Expert John Cadogan

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[@freiduumforall8843]

That's why the Subaru Outback made it to the top of my short list....a full size spare with matching alloy wheel. You can stick your motorcycle wheel or aerosol can where the sun don't shine

[@aerienix]

Same! But for the Forester.

[@heathcornbeef]

Where is this place that the sun doesn't shine? I want to be there i hate the sun and heat 😉

[@darylcheshire1618]

Yes I have the MY18 XV with the space saver spare, I’ve been thinking of getting a fifth ATT but I’d have to buy an iron wheel. I couldn’t get the mag at the wreckers.

[@Slackboy72]

I'm currently tossing up between the Outback XT and the WRX Sportswagon. Full size spare v Space saver.

[@theoh6260]

Good to hear your Dad is doing well. You are so right about the new treatment options now available. Not much hope a decade ago. Thanks for the advice. I’m about to purchase a new car, and I assumed it’ll have a spare. I’ll double check.

[@BBA765]

I like to share my experience here in Perth. I bought a new hybrid R4 and I am happy with the my choice. However, because I regularly drive up north which can mean a trip of up to 400-600 kms between towns; I insisted on dealer fitting having a full size spare because I belive a space saver would be useless should I have a flat between towns. However, while the delivery took an extra three months, it was worth the wait.

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

The spare tyre came 3 months after you got the car... or did the dealer "punish" you by making you wait 3 months more for a whole new car (including spare)?????

[@joedonaghue2952]

@@JohnSmith-yv6eq Eric did quote " However, while the delivery took an extra three months, it was worth the wait."

[@paul9689]

Necessity is the mother of invention ergo mirack in WA make a range of hitch mounted wheel carriers that for thise who venture outside Perth.

[@joshrogan9854]

eric turner ,,It took 3 months to buy a wheel with a tyre on it? Wow!!

[@gill7087]

As someone who regularly drives 350km from a regional area to an urban area to see relatives, shop etc, I have often wondered what I would do with no spare. I get a puncture about once a year or so on average but recently had a 12mm by 150mm bolt spear through the tyre and through the alloy rim destroying both. It went off like a small bomb but luckily didn’t damage any suspension components. It was a weekend about 200km from a town with a tyre service. If it was a space saver I would have been on the highway after changing the damaged tyre at 80km/h as a rolling road block to cars and trucks and it would add another hour onto the journey. If a can off goo was the only means of repair I would have been stuck for a day or more. Bottom line, a can of goo just isn’t suitable for journeys through regional Australia and a space saver is marginal at best. All my vehicles have a full size spare.

[@alexsimmons1803]

Bang on. I got caught with my current car - I had no idea that no spare would even have been a thing until I had an inner sidewall get taken out by rogue pothole on one of our fine local roads. Only to then find out it would be several days before a replacement tyre would be available to fit. Never again and the maker of my current car can go take a running jump when it comes to our next steed. I took your advice and do have a puncture repair kit and inflator on board which can at least get us out of some situations but without any spare I was left high and dry.

[@tonyk0756]

I got a full size spare with a steel wheel for a car I had as I did not like the look of the space saver wheel it came with, but the steel wheel requires shorter bolts than the Alloy one, not good. Then the good thing about the space saver is that you can see it. A lot of people will fit the spare with a full tread old tire on it and leave it with a worn one on the other side and drive forever, not good. Daughter calls one night says she has a flat tire, off to the rescue. Never had a look into the back of the car, but to my surprise under the carpet a full size wheel well with a large lump of Styrofoam containing a electric compressor and a bottle of sealant. no jack nothing. Amazingly this worked. So for me the best solution for the if the wheels go round drive it crowd is the Space Saver.

[@paulaxford6754]

Getting a flatbed tow on a rural NZ highway is not always easy either and you're at the mercy of the tow truck driver's education regarding EV towing requirements. Many of us Kona EV owners locate a suitable spacesaver and jack, then secure that under the rear floor where it just fits perfectly above the existing too-small cavity. When you had the Kona EV it's too bad you didn't have a look at the gear oil as you'd have an hour's worth of discussion as to how dirty it you would have found it.

[@noisynobody]

My car came with a silly inflation kit. I ended up buying a genuine rim (older year model but the specs are still the same) off FB marketplace, and then when I bought my next set of tyres I put the least worn of my old ones on the new rim/spare. I've only had to use it once in four years. The only problem is, at 20" with a 275 wide tyre on it, it sure takes up a lot of boot space.

[@BubblesTheCat1]

Yeah, I'm sure. Compared to my '13 with a 175 tyre on it.

[@chrishart8548]

I've got a 215/55/17 on my spare in the boot. won't fit where the space saver was. takes up most of the boot. takes up 3/4 of the room width and length.

[@keithwilliams515]

Absolutely spot on. Even if you have a "nail type" puncture the game goes like this. Mobility kit, empty goo into tyre, plug in compressor, wait eternity for it to inflate tyre, drive 7 kilometres ( to spread the goo) after affixing little sticker that says don't exceed 80 kph to inside of vehicle just to remind driver , stop, plug in compressor and check pressure and inflate again if necessary, drive another 7 kilometres and stop, plug in compressor and check pressure. If pressure not holding call roadside assist and wait for repair person, tilt tray or tow truck. Now that tyre probably can't be repaired due to the goo inside, new tyre. Now if the car has tyre pressure sensors, that will also have to be replaced due to the goo, you will probably also have to go to the dealer to get the warning codes reset after the monitor triggers the sensor. So probable dollar cost, new tyre supply and fitted, tyre pressure sensor supply and fitted, dealer reset charges, new can of goo. Just absolutely bloody ludicrous. Oh, by the way, the new Nissan "go where you please" AWD e-thingo - can of goo only.

[@Vo0Do0972]

Mate, changed countless tyres roadside from full size to space savers, on my car and the cars of other poor road users through pure goodwill. I feel like an F1 pit crew with the level of precision and speed I have developed, and that's using the jack and equipment included in the boot. But... my work cars, for a government job I won't and can't name, don't have spares. It's said this is because they have "run flats" yet I and countless colleagues have called for a tow due to the rim making sweet love to the pavement. Bring back the spare, space savers at the very least. I think you need to lobby every car maker to do this. Sounds like a big task, I know. I can't (don't feel like) really help either, but I have faith in you. Good luck, I'll be sitting in my chair waiting, doing nothing. Might it the like button.

[@petesmitt]

My government vehicle doesn't have a spare wheel; it's policy to get a flatbed truck to take the vehicle to a tyre shop for repair or replacement; suits me, as I don't have to deal with changing the dirty wheel..

[@Vo0Do0972]

@@petesmitt haha fair call, basically the same with us..... but i find waiting around for the tow and tyre change worse than the self change and getting back to actual work.

[@marcprobin1659]

I own a 2023 XLE Prius with AWD and of course no spare tire. I did some research and someone put a spare tire in the trunk with all OEM parts. Now, why can't they at least have an option to purchase this as an option at least! It has the room for one but they want to save money and get the best EPA numbers. I was getting an average of4.9 l/100km and with the spare now I get 5.2 l/100km. Well worth the expense to have that peace of mind when you travel!

[@rogerpearson9081]

I agree with you John. Being a bit of an old fashioned curmudgeon, I would still lean to a spare tyre in any new car purchase even if it was an extra cost option. The only dampener is with these AWD drive cars to match up the spare with the other tyres so rolling diameter mismatch does not cause problems especially if you damage a tyre permanently ie. staked on something.

[@Low760]

I own cars with space savers but have full size spares at home exactly for this reason.

[@mayday137s]

Cheering for your Dad John, I'm one the multiple myeloma mob which they found after finding another cancer. Spent the the last two and a half years with a couple stem cell transplants (my own), getting nuked and being pumped full of roundup. We've got some real cluey people that look after us, they've kicked my original 'rust problem' in to submission and the myeloma in to remission... it's an ongoing gig, but I reckon your Dad is going to do alright... best of luck to you and your Dad mate, and.... Keep Cheering! ✌ #rustedvillain

[@davidporter4899]

Should be illegal to sell a car without a proper spare in this country, we have far to much of fuck all for hundreds of ks .Sitting out in 45 degree temps while waiting for roadside assistance could get you killed.

[@sergemangen5876]

Hi John, nice report as usual. Well concerning this issue, the roadside assistance cars and tow trucks here have special emergency tyres with multi-hole rims on board that can be mounted on most common vehicles and lend to the members when they are in such a case and are returned after the repair of the problem.

[@noosamike]

I used to work in Port Moresby a lot and always found it curious to see many of the locals and taxis driving on 2 or 3 space savers with only only 1 or 2 full sized tyres. You just do what you have to do to survive in POM.

[@artistjoh]

In all my decades of car ownership I have needed to put a spare on only once. But that once, was a dirt road, with miles to the nearest phone (before mobile phones, but this was an area that probably still doesn't get mobile reception (in a deep and steep gully)). It was on a zig zag track that even a Land Cruiser struggles to get down (so no chance of a tow truck getting in and out). A spare is like insurance. You pay for it in the hope that you never need it, but when you need it, you really need it.

[@djjames6576]

Most people live in the city and can call Road Side services. Majority rules. I'd never buy a car without a spare here in the NT . Usually carry 2 spares if travelling interstate.

[@inka86]

Thanks for being real. Respect.

[@lazarjr330]

I’ve never asked for a favour John, but if you could give the name and models of all cars with no spare tyres,,,,I’ve a pocket full of nails and a brilliant new business idea.

[@Bobrogers99]

The bean counters are also concerned about the weight of the space saver. Less weight means better gas or battery mileage. For cars with no spare at all, Roadside Assistance for every car dealership should have a selection of (at least) space savers for their cars so that the car could be driven to a garage for tire repair/replacement.

[@kingsleysmith994]

Tremendous episode John. Thank you for understanding. Yeah its what has to be done hey.

[@brianjohnson5789]

in the UK its partly so that they can shave a little bit of weight off the car for the official fuel consumption test. spare as an optional extra doesnt need to be in the car on those tests. also a lot of fleet buyers who will not personally be the ones stuck if they get a flat. in my own case I have swapped the space saver with a full sized spare numerous times when buying a car, when it would fit. and got a space saver when an option and nothing bigger will fit.

[@Billhumphreys3370]

Hi, Brian. I asked a car salesman why their EV didn't have a full sized spare. He told me that they use the space for a bigger battery pack, to "increase the range"! Wrecked tyre and no spare = NO Range!

[@MrPropanePete]

I'm actually right in the process of tossing out my space saver and putting a full size wheel in its place. It won't fit properly and we will lose some boot space but we live in a regional area and a good spare is a priority. A few years ago we were plodding along in the NT at 130 kph and were passed by a car with a space saver.... so much for the 80 kph maximum on a space saver.

[@chrishart8548]

the space saver could suffer overheating at higher speeds. and also handling is adversely effected. but they won't realise that.

[@MrPropanePete]

@@chrishart8548 Yeah, and it was a hot day too, about 35C. They obviously ignored the big yellow "80 kph limited" sticker on the space saver, it's impossible to miss.

[@steve8567]

Well spoken John. A pet hate of mine with the new generation of cars. I've got an order in for a SUV hybrid which I assume comes with a 'compact spare'. First thing I will do is replace it with a full size spare, even if I have to carry it on the roof.

[@chrishart8548]

probably won't even come with a space saver. and you probably will have to put the full size spare on roof.

[@aussietaipan8700]

To anyone who is dealing with a sick loved one, my thoughts and best wishes are for you both. I made the mistake of putting larger tyres on my WRX to reduce the engine speed at 100Km/hr. In 7 years of owning the car, I had never had a puncture. 2 days after the new tyres were installed a large 13mm bolt punctured the left front tyre and the space saver was too small compared to the larger tyres. Back to the right sized tyres now.

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

You were statistically unlucky... pure chance, nothing to do with the tyres. Had you fixed that tyre and put it back... you probably would have worn the whole set to replacement without another puncture.

[@chrishart8548]

I would of either had a full size spare or fitted a taller tyre on the space saver. maybe a 125/90/16 instead of a 125/80/16. obviously larger cars also have a larger space saver wheel.

[@AdamMansbridge]

I have only thought about 'flat tyre -> flatbed'; add middle of town multistorey carpark and that's going to be a shit day I've had the experience of getting to my car on the third floor at 7pm at the end of the work day and finding a flat tyre. It's no fun even when you have a full size spare, I can't imagine having to wait for whatever specialist is required to extract the car

[@MattBlack6]

As the specialist you are talking about we just drive it out. Anything else is going to cost your roadside assistance company $110 per hour per person minimum of 1 hour. That usually involves taking a four-wheel drive in, somebody is paying for that as well.

[@dougstubbs9637]

Start carrying a big bail of long grass to stuff the rooted tyre with. Chrysler Cooch. Hyundai Paspalum. Toyota Turf. Range Rover Sir Walter.

[@kepamurray1845]

Hi John, KTM motorcycles are trying it on with the Adventurer model that will give you a 1500 km trial with "demo mode" then it will switch off and you will need to pay to have the option switched back on. I'm glad people like yourself are dragging this sort of stuff into the spotlight. I will be not be purchasing any new vehicles with this kind of extortion being leveled at me. Keep it going! 👍

[@BubblesTheCat1]

Subscription cars. What a rip off!

[@dennislaur2515]

Sorry to hear you have to deal with cancer days as well John. I would have thought that roadside assistance down under would carry a tire dolly so that they could move a car in this situation to a place where it could be loaded for transport. They seam to be slandered issue here in the Great White North.

[@andrewduckworth4720]

The problem we find in NZ is that most cars are imported from Japan and the dealers have to fit a new set of tyres to get compliance so they replace the very expensive Run flats with cheap Chinese tyres and generally there is no spare. Shocking that they don't consider the end user

[@superpflex]

If you want to eliminate the spare then you need run-flat tires. That's what my Alfa Romeo has, and I still carry a little compressor and plug kit.

[@mikejuelg1290]

No spare is a deal breaker for me. At least a space saver will keep you mobile but you also need room for the full size wheel when its removed.

[@pepeshopping]

It is NOT just cost savings! It’s packaging, or lack of space in some electric/hybrid cars or 3 row SUVs! (Plus weight savings for some).

[@philbachmann6398]

Yep. A sign of these times. Like stop start... The last incarnation of Aussie built cars were absolute gems in my opinion... But the well heeled seem to like expensive services, no spares and stop start.. Good luck folks. BTW I've had my share of death and tragedy. But I see cars in practical application, not status symbols. 🙏🇦🇺

[@johnbroomer3285]

Yes, ridiculous. My Mustang did not have a spare from the factory, so I had the dealer add one. They gouged me for it but no worries if I peel a tire anywhere. When we were shopping for my wife’s vehicle in 2015 (she wanted a small SUV), I told her we would only buy something with a spare, and one in an interior well, not hanging underneath. We ended up with a Rogue, and the stated requirements knocked off a bunch of choices in the segment.

[@Billhumphreys3370]

If everyone thought like you did, and refused to buy a car with no full-sized spare, the next shipment of cars to Australia would all have full-sized spares on board. Car manufacturers are getting away with this because the buying public are allowing them to!

[@dougmathews4480]

I've owned 2 cars that didn't come with a spare now. Not only is that a potential problem but they also have no safe place to store a spare wheel that could be a lethal projectile in an accident. Currently I have a space saver strapped to child restraint anchors while I look for a better solution. The first time I left town in a car with no spare I managed to hit something and destroy a front tyre in the dark and the rain. I tried the repair kit only to discover white goop all over the ground, the hole was larger than my thumb but I hadn't seen that in the dark. It took a few hours and a few hundred dollars to sort out what should have been a 10 minute inconvenience.

[@robman2095]

I have also heard that some tyre service places won’t fix a tyre that has been gooped even if it is repairable. And of course it would make sense for them to say that so that they can sell you a new one. So it could be an expensive flat tyre even if the goop does work.

[@BubblesTheCat1]

Planned obsolescence at it's best

[@joiner2000]

Exactly, spot on dude! We have a 2019 Honda Civic deisel and it does not have a spare either and the same kit you mention in your video, very concerned as I have previously had a punture in the side wall like in my last car when we hit a kerb and had a 70mm hole in the side wall. P.S. great videos you should be on TV every night after the main news :) Keep it up, best wishes from the old not so united kingdom

[@mondotv4216]

It's a tough one. Especially with all the pot holes on Australian roads after the constant deluge of the last 3 years. Especially the East coast. But like it or not the purchse decision rarely comes down to "does the car have a spare?". Until it does then automakers are going to continue to delete the spare.

[@tano1747]

Agree. And even if you have a space saver, it doesn't give you full function. Good luck on the motorway with your 80kph speed limited space saver on your way home in the rain, or on your way to the airport with a flight to catch... And in regard to restoring full function, even in the middle of a capital city, the tyre shops aren't open 24/7... So buying a car without a full size spare is committing to being never able to rely on that car for any mission-critical activity like catching a flight. Not unless you plan to arrive hours early to allow time (if you do get a flat, not just to swap the tyre, but also) to complete the journey on non-motorway surface roads at

[@alkoala7984]

Hi John great channel you have here - I eagerly await your new uploads on a variety of topics delivered without the BS that so many other commentators spew out from their corporate sponsored life styles Vehicle Manufacturers should provide a spare wheel or at the very least have Run Flat Tyres fitted to prevent this ridiculous situation occurring I wish all the best to you and your family

[@sinimaustralie6512]

We have experienced the same problem with hospital carparks

[@SteveN-Sydney]

you hit the nail on the head with this one JC

[@chippo5118]

I had a 2009 BMW 3 series (wagon) I loved the car however one of the main reasons for moving it on was the fact that it ran on those stupid spacesaver tyres and had no spare (even though they could have fitted one quite easily). The car itself was great, quite reliable (for a euro car) and very economical. I drive regularly between Canberra and the above ground cemetery (Adelaide) so not having a spare was a constant worry.

[@MrFister84]

lol

[@grahamcampbell9261]

Why not go to the wreckers and buy one?

[@1verstapp]

>wagon so room for a spare... and the tools to change it. you never need it until you need it.

[@jashugg]

@@grahamcampbell9261 That’s exactly what I did after my one and only puncture 3 years ago. It’s been rattling around my Impreza’s boot taking up half the space ever since. But it gives peace of mind on long trips.

[@coweatsman]

Living in a cemetery as I do here in Adelaide has its advantages. The neighbours are very quiet.

[@grahamleiper1538]

Had a stupid "folding" space saver in my old Audi. Supplied a little 12v compressor. Wasn't able to set the bead when it was needed. Ended up getting a taxi to go home to get one of my winter wheels (luckily). Utter PITA and I had a space saver. Really need full size spares. (If I hadn't had winter wheels, garage compressor was enough to set the bead on the space saver) Bought a space saver kit with Jack etc. and eventually also got a full size spare wheel for my new car. Locally, I take the space saver. If I'm going any real distance I'll take the full size spare. It would be much better if there was a space for it.

[@kristofergobbe4838]

If you could disable drive from the flat wheel. And sit in on a space saving caster wheel.

[@robertgregory8964]

Just bought a used Hyundai Kona EV because under the boot floor is still a wheel tub. An old Ford Falcon space saver has the correct bolt pattern and fits in the tub together with the supplied jack and charging cable.

[@adrianzmajla4844]

Charging cable, so it trickle charges your pressures? Haha sweet as Bro.

[@robertgregory8964]

@@adrianzmajla4844 I got the Kona to replace my Prius Plug-In which has only 4" ground clearance which is just impossible for Australian country roads. Hell I even drove over a gumboot dropped lying on a Melbourne main road. Couldn't swerve so I drove over centrally. Massive thuds all along the underside so bad I even stopped to look underneath for any damage. You would think a Hyundai Kona small "SUV" would have some ground clearance, however I looked underneath at the huuuuuge alloy battery box underbelly and realised the ground clearance is the same as my old Prius :(

[@maxpower7774]

In 32 years of driving the only place I've ever had flat tyres is my garage. A nail (usually) causes a slow leak that only manifests as an obvious problem a day or more later. And in saying that, flats are exceedingly rare, my last would have been about 9 years ago, and neither myself nor anyone I know has been waylaid on the side of a road with a flat. My car has the goop and compressor kit, which would work admirably for the punctures I encounter, and if not then other more onerous arrangements would have to be made, but given the vanishingly small probability of that happening I can certainly see why a manufacturer wouldn't bother with a spare. Additionally, some f-wits think a space saver is fine to keep on indefinitely and in all driving conditions. So there's that.

[@Barrysautospares]

@MaxPower777: I must be less fortunate than you in my 32 years of driving (33 if I count properly, but pretty damn close). I can’t agree that flats are “exceedingly rare”. While I have had several flats in the garage as described, I’ve also had to change maybe a dozen tyres on the roadside, in car parks, and one very stressful time in the breakdown lane of a 100kph Motorway, wedged up against a concrete barrier. In every case it was a ten minute job, and back on the road. Tyres are so much better than in years gone by, and if changed at appropriate intervals they don’t generally fail, but there will always be debris on the road, and you won’t spot every nail or roofing screw (or in my wife’s case once, pair of nail scissors) that you pass, so flats will still occur, at inconvenient times and at inconvenient places. I probably get one every few years, same as my wife. Perhaps we live in an area with a lot of building activity, as hex head screws are the number one culprit. Space saver tyres are a deal breaker for me: I will only buy a vehicle with a full size spare. I wish you continued good fortune with your current non-flat streak!

[@danstevens2204]

Saw this recently with an Audi, no spare but a bottle of sealant supplied!

[@nickraschke4737]

This concept just does my head in.

[@williambinns1631]

I've driven literally millions of miles since my last flat tire. I'm sure this varies regarding where you live and what kinds of roads you drive on but tires are so good now. I'm no more concerned about carrying around a spare tire than I am about carrying around a spare fuel pump.

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

If your vehicle eats fuel pumps (or is a BMW) you might well be wise to carry a spare one......

[@sleong6829]

Son bought a used car, no spare, had long drive back to army base. I ended up getting him another tire & wheel to keep in trunk. Can’t wait if the worst happens.

[@lafred2007]

My thoughts with you and your Dad. Great son

[@peterrech2307]

i John, I have to say I agree with you. What should happen is one of those idiotic bean counters should split a tyre wall in his No-Spare car and see how much of a pain that is. If I really wanted to buy a car with the tyre repair kit and no spare, I would either buy something else or go to the nearest car wrecker and buy a suitable wheel, sacrifice boot space and mount it in the car when I take delivery of it as well as give the car maker a real serv in relation to this stupidity.

[@GuitarsRockForever]

fully agree. now particularly the luxury cars, they don't have any spare tyre, just a tyre repair kit which is useless by itself anyway.

[@jessicayoung1190]

All the new vehicles come with road side assistance. They will towels your car to the dealership for repair.

[@chrisjeanneret5091]

Hi John. I suppose the roadside assistance would need to figure it out (hopefully). Not much good if it is an older vehicle. Best wishes for your Dad.

[@vladislavfeldman6562]

In the last 35 years, covering about 1,100,000 km, I've had about 9 flat/damaged tyres. So an occurance every 3.5 years for a 35,000 per year driver. A driver driving 10,000 km a year might only need to change a tyre once every 10 years. Probably 50 % of drivers would not physicaly/ bother/ability to change a tyre. A space saver tyre, for an appropriate vehicle, should be carried by the automotive emergency service (NRMA). Which would make it possible for the driver to make it home, to arrange for tyre replacement at own time.

[@markopetrunic7598]

I have no spare in a Renault Grand Scenic. A big car that has 600l boot, and a 7 seat option. It has double bottom under the boot, and space for a full size tyre....but no.

[@lezivanerrol3697]

I have a European car (A brand which John is not fond of). The car came with 20 inch staggered wheels and enormously wide runflat tyres. - it's a modest powered diesel. In Europe these model cars come with sensible 17 or 18 inch non staggered wheels and sensible every available tyres. There is no place in the boot for a spare let alone a space saver. No self inflating aerosol glue kit either. I do regular Melbourne Queensland trips. There's no way I'll take the Newell - if one of the back tyres went I'd be stranded for days awaiting a replacement for two tyres not one. Never be able to get a matched 20 inch 275 wide tyre out the bush. Instead I've gone and bought 4 alternative 18 inch wheels with standard sized non runflat tyres. Now carry a can of inflatable goo in case of an emergency. I will only go back and forth via the Hume and Pacific highway.

[@kunstderfugue]

Thank you so much. I could not own a car without a spare tyre, even a sports car. And there are no good sports cars with spare tyres, or are they

[@pjttaylor7186]

Spot on couldn't agree more

[@lynettedear4833]

Yep, I have one of those cars. I was told that I can call a recovery firm to take me and the tyre to a shop to get it fixed rather than use the chemical supplied with the car. I can't talk from experience yet, hopefully I never will.

[@georgecurtis6463]

Wishing your father well, you also. As to the lady, I hope you took the tire off, took it somewhere to get a new tire put on and got her on her way. And yes, a car without at least a small spare is actually a very dangerous vehicle.

[@lucluc2716]

Here in canada and america even gasoline vehicles are coming without a spare nowadays. At least they still leave a designated area to put one in, but rly, what a scam.

[@saddysly8281]

Time to get my secret Santa 🎅 present from Olight, thanks John.

[@Greytech52]

Unfortunately most hospital car parks also gouge on the parking charges so they profit from you while you wait for a rescue/roadside assist vehicle, and of course will also charge the rescue/roadside assist vehicle as well, which you will also have to pay for.

[@petesmitt]

Most car parks are first half hour free..

[@Greytech52]

@@petesmitt Not in WA, the gouging starts the minute you enter.

[@johndoyle4723]

EVs and to a lesser extent Plug ins are heavy cars and you would need a substantial jack to lift them, also need to be very careful about jacking point.I have not had a puncture for 20 years or more, and even then just a slow leak, I carry an electric inflator as well as the gunk stuff. Here in the UK I would not even attempt to change a wheel on a Motorway or busy road, far too dangerous. However I would still like at least a space saver, to get me out of trouble.

[@markworth4496]

So why is it not classed as a Safety Issue in Australia

[@thomasluggiero3413]

The funny thing is most buyers probably have no clue there is no spare onboard. Penny picnhing is out of hand expescially when you are paying so much for a new vehicle.

[@jayde1708]

I don't have a problem with a space saver but hate the idea of the spray can. I'm lucky I guess. I had a space saver in my 2004 BA XR6 (I purchased 2007), that had NEVER been used and still had those little tyre nibs all over the tread. Basically it was a waste of money. I finally replaced that tyre in 2018. 14 year old tyres are not a good idea. I have since used the new space saver tyre once for about an hour, about 30 Km. Not good money wise, but much more convenient and more time saving

[@adoreslaurel]

My son had A Kona with a donut, under sized and worse under diametered as well, so call :"Space Saver" [they dont ever save space, well unless you have a Porsche 911], I solved his Kona problem with a BA Ford Falcon wheel with the same sized tyre.

[@stevenhoman2253]

You know John? This is the third time I've had this conversation since yesterday. Accountants are for doing/cooking books. Economists are for scientific pretence and engineers, etc, should be running all and every industry. Bankruptcy and failed businesses would fall by 25% Their advice can be useful if Trevor is spending all the lunch money, but not for much else. Take Mercedes, Please!

[@coweatsman]

The "solution" to be proposed by auto manufacturers will be to "subscribe" to a spare tyre, of course. A win all round. A win for auto manufacturers. A win for tyre manufacturers. A win for service departments of dealerships. Not so much for the consumers but who cares about them, those serfs.

[@georgebets4128]

X2 BMW, no spare. Run flats on all tyres. Like rolling on steel wheels, no give, stiff ride, useless unless roads are smooth. Like Sydney has heaps of them...

[@jeremyashford2115]

Friend with a new Merc got a flat, no spare. Needed a new tyre. None in this town. Last Merc she bought.

[@brewclan1]

Heres to your dad doing well...Had a client who owned a BMWubble U and regularly traveled between Ballarat and Geelong in Victoria and one day he hit a pot whole and shredded the tyre...a run flat tyre...the result was a flat bed back to Ballarat where the tyre service centre had no FUN FLATS in stock and they had to order one from Sydney...sooooo 1. No Fun Flats in stock...order one in (not sure if something else could have been done) 2. Order will take one week,,,,client has to hire a car. for said week. 3. So a flat tyre cost him a flat bed and a hire car....insert circus music here.

[@peterclark7879]

Hi John have seen this with a French SUV a lady with kids the middle of winter, she has found a pothole which at the moment is like playing join the dots, overheard her talking to RACV and been told 4Hr wait. She told me the car came with a foam kit and no spare, I contemplated telling her to stick it up the salesman's arse.

[@normls8615]

It should be written in consumer law that a vehicle that is only supplied with a puncture kit must use run flat tires. Even then, that may not have saved the day in this scenario.

[@bkeati7]

It's a sad time for car buyers and owners, today owners of cars are treated as mugs and someone to be robbed. The discussion on no spare wheel deserved to be screamed out from the highest mountain. How do they get away with it among many other things? Well the answer is simple, we mugs have just got to stop buying them, end their sales now! "No spare no sale got it chum" be our motto from now on.

[@Cleared_To_Land]

My Brand New Ford Mustang 5.0V8 didn't even come with a spare or space saver. Just the tyre repair goo and run-flat tyres.

[@pwolkowicki]

Totally agree.

[@paulgerrard9227]

ADR should mandate a spacesaver in a full size wheel well or a full size spare. Ban repair kits. Its a hazard and you CANT buy spacesaver tyres easily. I am buying a car and most models have no spare and nowhere to put one. Some also dont have a jack.!!!! States should make it a registration requirement

[@jacobheinz8236]

We like to blame others for our own shortcomings, don’t we? Stupid is as stupid does, sir! It’s our own actions which will tell if we have the intellect to operate a vehicle. We’ve seen so many drivers who has no idea ICE vehicles need engine oil, water in the radiator etc, forget about asking them to fix a puncture and the use of a spare tyre. Even EV owners will need to deal with transmission oil one day and brake pads etc. some people shouldn’t own a vehicle at all.

[@robboaustralia21]

Swift Sport no spare. Dealer doesn't sell original factory spares in SA. Wreckers don't want to sell 1 wheel only four. Happy days. Need an original rim as I want to use scratched rim as the spare.

[@davidvanderklauw]

me: Hello I'm looking for a wheel trim for a Holden Astra. Can you sell me one? wrecker: No. They are hard to get. Just last week another person was after one. me: Oh! what would you give me for 3 of them? wrecker: I don't want three. I'd only buy the full set.

[@robboaustralia21]

Four swift sport owners looking for 1 spare wheel for a car that doesn't come with a spare wheel. Shouldn't be too hard.

[@robotech1990]

Apple and Samsung decided we had to buy a charger after the smartphone. Now both of them have problems selling their stupid idea. Just do the same to a car manufacturers whith no spare tyre. We have to force the idiots to walk.

[@kevinklei3005]

Is it a fact or Myth or even in Australian Design rules that a vehicle should have the same size wheels on the same axle EG: front same :rear same . thus putting those space saver wheels out of sync !!!

[@stephenberry8658]

Another reason I won't be going electric. The space is sacrificed to lugging around many hundreds of kilos with associated increase in major use of resources... Maybe in a few battery generations, when there is room for spare, range and manufacturing efficiencies.

[@numbereightyseven]

I will NEVER buy a car that doesn't have a spare wheel. And I saw that I needed to take that approach from day 1 of this industry con.

[@davidbernadine]

John, you can inflict your KZbin character on me anytime you want 😎

[@BrogeKilrain]

I bought a Polstar 2 and it had no spare but does have a JACK in trunk ? Wtf ?

[@buntafujiwara3586]

My Warrior 3 kills zombies, but my Marauder 2 disappears time and space.

[@Rampart.X]

It's not the bean counters' fault. It's the shareholders and the buyers. Each wants to squeeze more from the other in a game of chicken that makes winners out of insurance companies and the repair industry.

[@aussieadventurestimetoplay]

My ux200 has run flats so if the air goes them I can drive at 80kph to a tyre shop

[@aussiestubabe]

Interesting enough I found this out with the 2020 Toyota Corolla ZR. The petrol only has a full size spare wheel. The Hybrid mid range has a space saver. The ZR with its 18” low profile wheels has nothing besides a repair pack. Because we needed to do road trips I went to Bob jane and bought a rim and tire. $500 One night few months later I got a call and had to get home, grab the spare and drive into the city to change it over. Lots of stuffing around and expense on a car that’s expensive as it was. I asked Toyota why the ZR doesn’t come with a space saver or spare, and they said because the spare wheel area in the boot is made for the base model size of 15” and not the 18” ZR wheel size.

[@olboogziebastard]

i tore a hole in my tyre i used a lot of 100 mile tape & pumped it up with a makita tyre pump got me 1klm to to the tyre shop ..

[@nigelcox1451]

Here's a gem for you John. The original Mini always carried a spare, even after the wheels became 12". New MINI, has, as far as I know, never had space to carry a spare, despite the car being the size of a small planet compared to the original.

[@greenriver520]

Excellent topic John. Really, there is no excuse for omitting a spare tyre. Best of wishes for your dad, yourself and family John.

[@yerpright7548]

I think I speak for us all, thanks Dad(& Mum!) for going to the effort of producing John. A job well done.

[@EddyWoon]

This reminded of something that my Engineering lecturer had told us. One of our challenges that we face on our careers will be the bean counters.

[@terrygaudron9451]

Bean counters, they know the cost of everything and value of nothing.

[@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars]

@@terrygaudron9451 And yet, perversely enough, they still serve a purpose. Dammit.

[@BubblesTheCat1]

Bean counters can be very very stupid as well. When I worked in long distance trucking, the fucking bean counters would constantly come up with "ideas" on how to save money😠😠😠 For instance put inferior parts on vehicles, cheap tyres, etc, etc. This NEVER worked, and eventually the one's who operate like that go poopy in trou. The companies that actually did the best for their vehicles and staff, were ultimately the one's that survive.

[@MaxFromSydney1]

Yep, accountants and procurement people are the mortal enemies of an engineer.

[@davespanksalot8413]

@@BubblesTheCat1 I love when they leave little hidden cheapery gems to mess with your day. Hidden deep in the water pump one bean counter left a little effyou by managing to convince someone a nylon impeller was a good idea...

[@derekhobbs1102]

Who else remembers a time when not having a spare would get you a defect notice?

[@archygrey9093]

Until now i didn't even think it was legal to sell a car without a spare