Empty well

I would confirm that carbuyers can consider themselves lucky to be given any sort of spare wheel at all. Looking at various used cars before buying, I noticed many did not have a spare wheel. Do you think you could you help me with this problem, please? I have just bought a 2006 Vauxhall Meriva Design 1.7 CDTi XP. Due to the XP spec it has fancy tyres and wheels (205/45 R17). There is no spare wheel, but there is space in the floor of the boot compartment for a spare. I would like to carry a spare wheel if possible. What size space saver wheel/tyre combination would fit and be safe to use?

Asked on 20 March 2010 by J.H., via e-mail

Answered by Honest John

On many makes and models spare wheels are now an extra, costing an extra £30 to £150. The spare for your Meriva has to have the same rolling circumference as the road wheels. It cannot be smaller. So use a tape measure. Space-savers severely affect both roadholding and braking when in use. And steel wheels fitted in place of alloy wheels need different, shouldered wheel bolts.

Tags: wheels and tyres technical issues owning

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