Full Size spare V Space Saver

TRS30

Was round the folks house the other night and when parked my Mondeo beside my Dad's I notice my boot was not as deep. After some investigation (pulling up the carpet!) it was because i have a full sized spare and he has a space saver.

I was wondering what this it likely doing to my fuel economy? Also where could I pick up a space saver cheap? Anything else to consider??

biko

For MPG? Nothing at all. The weight of the wheel is negligible compared to other factors.

TRS30

biko wrote: »

For MPG? Nothing at all. The weight of the wheel is negligible compared to other factors.

Thanks- was hoping switching to the space saver would give me a few extra MPG!!

biko

The best tip to save mpg?
Put a cup of hot tea on the dashboard

IK09

Not a whole lot id say. im no mathematician but my ould lad always claims that a 10% reduction in vehicle weight will result in approx 5% improvement in fuel economy. So what effect will changing your full size wheel to a space saver. Fúck all. Removing the spare wheel and carrying a can of that tyre sealant may make an unmeasurable difference. Neither option is even worth thinking about unless you are going to explore all options in which you can reduce weight. This on its own will make no measurable difference

TRS30

biko wrote: »

The best tip to save mpg?
Put a cup of hot tea on the dashboard

Sorry been a long day......drive smoothly??

_Kaiser_

I don't think I'd buy a car that had a "space saver" rather than a full size spare - especially in a car the size of a Mondeo.

At least if you lose a tyre with a full size replacement you can just continue on as normal until you get the other repaired/replaced, but I certainly wouldn't feel too comfortable being restricted to 80 km/h or whatever the space saver max is on a motorway for example.

bazz26

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

I don't think I'd buy a car that had a "space saver" rather than a full size spare - especially in a car the size of a Mondeo.

At least if you lose a tyre with a full size replacement you can just continue on as normal until you get the other repaired/replaced, but I certainly wouldn't feel too comfortable being restricted to 80 km/h or whatever the space saver max is on a motorway for example.

Your choice of cars will be fairly limited so. Space savers or a can of tyre weld is the best you will get in most new cars nowadays. It boils down to cost for the manufacturer and getting lower co2 emmissions.

TRS30

bazz26 wrote: »

Your choice of cars will be fairly limited so. Space savers or a can of tyre weld is the best you will get in most new cars nowadays. It boils down to cost for the manufacturer and getting lower co2 emmissions.

What does a full size spare v a space saver have to do with co2 emmissions?

rebel.ranter

I would say the clue is in the name when it comes to space saver spare wheels. A full size spare takes up loading/boot space hence manufacturers trying to claw a little bit f "space" back.
I'm sure it helps contribute to increased fuel efficiency (reduced CO2), but only as part of a series of changes such as materials used in the manufacture of the car. I know for example that the bootlid & front wings in my car are made from composite plastic, the doors, roof skin & bonnet are made from aluminium. It also comes from factory with Runflats. All in an effort to increase fuel efficiency & handling.

With regards to the comment on a larger car having a space saver being an issue. I don't see what difference the size of the car has, a larger car will have a space saver wheel designed to meet the same criteria aaa smaller car with a space saver. So that point is moot. I do understand the benefit of a full size spare wheel though.
At the minute my car has Runflats, the tyres are almost due a change. I am in the lucky position that I have acquired a full size spare & a space saver for it recently. I am probably going to switch to non Runflats & keep an compressor & a can of tyre weld in the boot for everyday use & then throw the space saver in the boot for long journeys.
The other option is to just call the breakdown company & get the car recovered until I pick up a tyre. Even with the Runflats I found no one stocked 19' tyres of the size I require so I would have been waiting for a replacement, hence the spare full size wheel. Of course that doesn't cover my issue of different size wheels & tyres on the front & rear of the car...

MuppetCheck

TRS30 wrote: »

What does a full size spare v a space saver have to do with co2 emmissions?

It would be one of a series of measures manufacturers undertake to reduce weight and therefore reducing the vehicles emissions.

bazz26

TRS30 wrote: »

What does a full size spare v a space saver have to do with co2 emmissions?

As already stated it a full size spare wheel is slightly lighter than a space saver which is one of many measures that can reduce Co2 emmissions on a car in order to make it compliant with EU regulations and more attractive to buyers.