There’s nothing like a full-size spare tyre

If you’re concerned about not having a full-size spare tyre provided with your car, you’re not alone.

A recent survey of more than 2,700 RAC members found that 64 per cent regarded having a full-size spare in their vehicle as ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ important, and 65 per cent said it was something they had taken into consideration when purchasing their vehicle.

Many emphasised that full-size spares offered greater safety, especially when driving in rural or remote areas, providing better stability, road handling, and braking performance. Some also commented that a full-size spare allowed motorists to continue their journey without needing immediate repairs or assistance.

Spare tyre alternatives, such as space savers, typically can’t be driven on at high speeds or over long distances.

The majority of respondents (69%) said they did have a full-size spare tyre, while 22 per cent reported having a space saver.

As vehicle manufacturers increasingly move away from supplying full-size spares, replacing them with space savers, run flats, and inflator kits, Western Australia’s vast distances and often patchy regional mobile phone reception were some key reasons full-size spares were seen as essential.

Survey respondents commented that space-savers and other alternatives to full-size spare tyres were inadequate to cope with vast distances and terrain outside built-up areas in WA. Having a full-size spare was seen as essential in case of emergencies.

When asked about the incidence of flat tyres, 89 per cent said they had experienced a flat at one time or another, but only 53 per cent said they were ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ confident in being able to change it themselves.