Spare wheel in ev?

yermanthere

Speaking with a work colleague this morning, who got a flat tyre over the weekend and has no car today. 6 tyre shops on Saturday had no tyre in that size ( fairly common size 18 tyre). They are now worried about their summer holidays in Ireland and a flat tyre.

Which got me wondering, what ev's carry a spare wheel?

Redfox25

Tyre plug kit, air compressor and a 5 min YouTube watch would sort most of this anxiety out.

Could also have a spare tyre at home too if you wanted to.

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058288927/spare-wheel-in-ev

any car with a boot can carry a spare wheel, ideally a space saver i guess.

yermanthere

Has anyone had to "fix" a flat with an ev? What system did you use?

I know it's a common issue with new cars and not anti-ev, but it's a concern if driving cross country , especially at night.

slave1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120378386#Comment_120378386

Securing the wheel would be the issue, in a collision you don't want that flying forward into passengers

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120378459#Comment_120378459

Had a flat in the UK, no spare or tyre kit so the solution was to call the AA

The AA guy came out and fixed the tyre with a temporary plug, bit like this one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08BNPMS87?ref_=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_0SZ703AGHM3R45Z6Q3PF

That was enough to hold the tyre so I could get to a tyre shop and get a proper repair done. Tyre has been holding for about 6 months now, I know I'll need to get a replacement but I can do that when I'm ready

Many cars nowadays don't have spare wheels as standard, manufacturers figured it's cheaper to hand out tyre kits or install puncture proof tyres in my case. Pro tip, the puncture protection only works once, second screw will deflate the tyre as I found out

In the case of EVs, the batteries or motor are generally where the spare wheel would go so there's no space anyway. On top of that, the current obsession with crossovers mean big tyres are the norm now, so a spare wheel would take up half the boot

Since that incident, I got myself a decent tyre pump and I'm probably going to get a jack and plug kit. If you get a jack make sure it's rated for the weight of an EV, they're generally a bit heavier than the equivalent ICE

If you're getting an air pump, I recommend getting a heavy duty one like below

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074DD3NS5?ref_=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_8YAZ3D0K7N39AY752PJS

They're bigger, heavier and a lot more expensive than the little plastic ones that are generally in breakdown kits. But I found the cheap plastic ones are very slow to inflate the tyre and often can't reach the desired pressure for bigger tyres

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120378503#Comment_120378503

Doubt that's an issue when it's in the boot. Maybe tie it to a D-hook if there's one available?

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120378459#Comment_120378459

The compressor/pump that comes with the car has been a life saver.

Drove from Dublin to Donegal with a nail in a tyre. Just pumped it up and drove on.

I do have a space saver wheel too(there's a space for it in the Niro) but haven't had to use it yet.

Worst one we've had yet was the other half was coming home and the low pressure alarm went off about a mile from home and lost about 10psi in that distance.

Have a tyre plug kit at home so was able to plug it enough to get it to the local tyre place the next day.

Still have a slow puncture on that wheel I need to investigate.

Also an ev is just a car. And it's tyres are just tyres.

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120378363#Comment_120378363

Of my most recent batch of punctures none could be fixed with a plug or foam, damaged the sidewall on a stone that fell off a wall in my car and had a Stanley knife blade puncture a hire car. Luckily I have a space saver in my current car, though the full sized tyres don't fit in the boot due to the hybrid battery!, so was able to get the going again.

There's also the issue that if you use the foam to get you going the tyre should be disposed of.

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120378558#Comment_120378558

I got a plug kit and jack/tyre wrench when I got the EV. I've used the plug kit twice. The second time didn't bother getting tyre patched and the plug lasted until tyre was replaced. The std pump that came with car does the job fine I didn't want to get a spare wheel as boot was already quite tight.

I always throw the plug kit into the 7 seater when going on longer journeys as its spare is under the car and is a bast1rd to get out

enricoh

I've often used a plug on tyres, dead handy especially on front tyres as you don't need to take tyre off. I never bother getting them patched at a garage after. Either get aa or a plug kit op. Get a spare off done deal, scrapyard etc- if its a Nissan leaf it should have same fitment as a eg Micra.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120378459#Comment_120378459

Yes, loads. Plug kit from Amazon. Mini compressor from Amazon. Both fit in the glovebox if needed.

EV same as any other ICE that don’t come with spare wheels in the last 15 years.

Sigma101

As others have said, this isn't an EV issue - most small to medium new cars have no spare wheel.

I used the puncture repair kit on my Leaf a few years ago. It didn't fix the puncture and I had to organise a tow. The gunk in the repair kit destroyed the tyre and it could no longer be repaired. I had to pay for the tow, the replacement tyre and a new sealant in the repair kit. I now have a spare wheel which I put in the boot if I'm travelling anywhere that's not local.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120378744#Comment_120378744

I was tempted to just go on the temp plug from AA but I had about 900km of motorway driving to do that day so decided not to risk it

I think the main thing to remember is that with the exception of a full size spare any solution to a flat tyre is designed to get you to a tyre shop for a repair or replacement

Once you've got that in mind then a repair kit seems better value than a space saver for the amount of space needed

They're both annoying jobs regardless, even more so in the rain on the side of a dual carriageway. But I don't think swapping out a wheel would be much easier than putting a plug in the flat tyre

Also in the case of a space saver, you still have to bring the punctured wheel with you, unless you're planning to sacrifice it to the road gods. In my case, I wouldn't be enthusiastic about lifting a big 21 inch allow into my boot, especially if it's already full of luggage

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120379106#Comment_120379106

Nothing more permanent than a temporary fix 😂

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120379069#Comment_120379069

I think I had the same kit in my Leaf, air compressor and a can of gunk that screws onto the compressor and gets blown into the tyre

I can say that I've never heard anything good about the gunk. It either works and destroys the tyre in the process, so you need a replacement instead of a repair. Or it doesn't work, still destroys the tyre and now you need a tow as well

At least with the plug kit, the guys in the tyre shop were able to fix it with a permanent plug. To be fair, they warned me that they weren't supposed to repair that tyre since it had the puncture protection goop inside, but I had to get to a ferry that day so I told them I'd accept the risk and they did it.

Still holding in place after 6 months, I know that tyre is probably going to need replacing soon but at least I've time to shop around and save up rather than having to pay out straight away

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120379146#Comment_120379146

Exactly 🤣

Like I said, I know I'm on borrowed time but it's still holding pressure.

I wouldn't try another 1000km road trip on it but it's working well enough for around town

zg3409

My local tyre places throws a plug in the tyre and away you go, the same plug you can diy.

As said you can get a space saver or spare, a jack and a spanner from.most scrap yards. Make sure to test fit spare as sometimes they won't fit depending on brakes on car.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120379069#Comment_120379069

Got a spare wheel off the dealer when purchasing car and carry it always in boot. Had to use it a couple of times. Madness not to have a spare tyre in many of the remoter parts of Ireland. Car manufacturers serve us poorly.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120379161#Comment_120379161

There are a few different types of plug, some are temporary and others are permanent. The permanent ones require you to take the tyre off the rim and fit from the inside, that's what is currently holding my tyre together

There's also the rubber strip type plugs which you can fit from the outside. It's a bit debatable how long they last, seems to be a bit of technique to get them right

A lot of cars now seem to have security bolts on the tyres, so make sure you get the special fitting with the car, they've been known to walk off between owners or in the garage

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120379161#Comment_120379161

A local tyre place said they only use plugs, never patch repair punctures anymore so this is why I decided to leave the diy plug until tyre was replaced. Having said that I dont use that place anymore!

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120379106#Comment_120379106

The last issue is the biggest problem with a space saver. Its an awful pita to empty out a full boot in the p1ssing rain to get at it in the first place and then there is no space to store the full sized punctured wheel afterwards. One of the advantages of the externally stored spare wheel, except for the fact that you'd need a engineering degree and overalls to get the damn thing out and replace the punctured one while all the time being shouted at to hurry up!! As Roy Keane might say 'all credit to gender equality'

JohnC.

I've never had to use a spare wheel in my driving life, and my Niro was the first car to not have one. But I bought one to put in the boot, which has a space for it. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

...Ghost...

Have had 2 punctures in as many months. Most recent one was this weekend. Flat on Paddies day with screw in tire. I used the Tesla air compressor I got as a puncture repair kit to inflate the tire before driving to the garage for a patch up. Mean time I had ordered 2 different repair kits, just incase. The repair failed and garage closed on Sunday. I used this kit to temporarily repair the puncture. It worked great, but as it's a screw, I wouldn't leave it in permanently. For permanent repairs, I ordered this kit (the lace type ones). I had the garage redo the repair today and I expect it will hold up fine. I'll do my own repairs going forward however and keep both kits in the boot. Don't use the gunk EVER. It's absolute rubbish and will result in the cost of a new tire.

the_amazing_raisin

Found this video comparing several different tyre plugs

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HcyscXvmXeY

Actually seems reasonably scientific, insofar as you can be in a shed

The ribbon type plugs seem to perform best, I guess because the rubber cement actually glues the plug into place

They do seem to have a bit of a technique though, I'm not sure how well I'd manage in the pouring rain on the side of the road

I'll probably pick up both the ribbon and mushroom plugs to double my chances, if I need to

There's also the internal type plugs which seem to provide a more permanent repair

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-u7rNyaT6K0

Of course you need to be able to get the tyre off the rim, so probably not something the average driver can do, let alone on the side of a road

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120380836#Comment_120380836

You've jinxed it now 😉

the 12 th man

Newer Nissan Leaf has a spare tyre.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120381037#Comment_120381037

Where? There's no space in the boot for one, or did they put a false floor in?

the 12 th man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120381046#Comment_120381046

Under the boot suspended in a cage.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120381052#Comment_120381052

Sounds like the nightmare scenario for @creedp 😁

Good that they're finally starting to include one at last

pron

Leaf and MG5 are the only ones I know of with spares, albeit space-savers.

One of the things on my shopping list, having dealt with numerous major punctures of various flavours over the years, at least three of which wouldn't have been sorted by anything less than a fresh wheel (two were major sidewall tears from sharp kerbs / rocks, one was a brand new tyre that just decided it didn't want to stay on the rim, thankfully in a carpark having lapped the M50 minutes before)

Other than that, the usual plethora of nails, screws etc. I'll not be overly impressed when my only option is a can of foam and a prayer!

finbarrk

Do any EV's even have a space for a space-saver wheel? Seems madness not to have a spare. I burst a wall in a new car tyre 2 years ago driving by the side of the road, hit a crack on the road. Got compensation from the Co. Council afterwards, but at the time I was lucky to be able to put the spare wheel on. Rural Ireland.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120394495#Comment_120394495

The Kia Niro ev has space, well the one I have anyway. I think there's actually enough for a full size, if all the extra stuff is removed from under the boot

the 12 th man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120394495#Comment_120394495

Posted earlier the newer Leaf has one under the boot in a cage.

finbarrk

So, just 2 EV'S with space for a spare wheel, is that it?

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120705593#Comment_120705593

Audi Etron can fit one

RainInSummer

It's not an EV particular issue. A fair few ICE cars don't have spares either. Any car I've had without a spare came with the foam kit included.

The only time I had to change a tyre in an EV was in the 62kWh Leaf. Yes it was raining, yes it's a pain in the arse, but a few shopping bags down to protect my knees from the wet and it was done.

I've had as many problems and worse with ICE cars changing tyres.

donkey balls

Don't even have my E TRON a week and got puncture this morning just used the small compressor I have to get me home.

Could see the screw that was imbeded in the tyre, Have watch some YouTube videos were the e tron has a spare that you inflate before swopping out the tyre.

As for the can of foam I've been told if that's used the tyre is a right off and new tyre required, I paid nearly €300 for a 20inch on my old quattro could only imagine what they be on the 21s.

finbarrk

But if you burst the wall of the tyre in a pot hole, or hitting a displaced stone from a country wall, the foam won't do you.

loopymum

Our 09 smax doesnt have a spare wheel either. I dunt care. I have road cover for that

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120717096#Comment_120717096

I had that model as well and after getting 2 blowouts in quick succession, one from a pot hole on Stevens night so stuck on road over 200kms from home, I bought a mondeo spacesaver and strapped to back of rearmost seat. Glad I did as it twice got me out of a hole (pun intended).

The 2015 model smax has a spare under boot, and although a bugger to get out of there, it's a comfort to know its there in case of getting stuck on road. Also have a plug kit to deal with minor nail type punctures to avoid the need to go dragging a dirty spare well from under the car unless absolutely necessary

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120718486#Comment_120718486

Where do you usually drive, what make of tyres do you usually buy? The surfaces must be bad where you roam.

To compare, as far as I remember, I have had one puncture in 34 years of driving. That happened in 2016 on an EV without a spare so I had to call for the roadside assistance (came with the car, and good that it did). They just took me to a local tyre place where a new tyre was needed and fitted. I guess we were lucky at the time that there was one open. All the previous to that cars came with spare tyres but the current two don't but I'm not worried.

I try to avoid buying poor tyres but sometimes used cars we bought have had them. Not sure if they have worse puncture resistance but usually lack of grip or handling makes me change those for some good rubber so don't have any personal experience. On bicycle tyres cheap vs. expensive have a huge disparity on puncture resistance, maybe the car tyres are the same?

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120721145#Comment_120721145

Drive all over the country and in my experience a deep pothole full of water on an N road hit at 80kph can blow out any brand of tyre, including GY. Can also confirm that the same brand, Michelin and Hankok will accept screws on pretty much any category of roads. Worst I've ever experienced was a blow out on a front Michelin Premacy at 80mph on M2. Not pretty but ended well except for the tyre.

Other than one set of GT radial purchased back in early noughties I've never purchased a budget tyre but while better branded tyres do offer better grip they don't offer 100% protection against blow outs / punctures. Just the luck of the draw.

the_amazing_raisin

I have a theory that roads with a lot of truck traffic tend to have more debris and as a result you're more likely to get a puncture

A lot of it is down to luck, you can find a screw anywhere on a road (or rather, it will find your tyres) and it's basically just a matter of time

I managed around 5 years of driving on the M50 before I got a puncture in the sidewall of a brand new tyre 😬

finbarrk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120717096#Comment_120717096

Road cover? You cover the road to stop getting a puncture?

...Ghost...

I've never had a blow-out, but have had plenty of punctures in over 2 decades of motoring. My least lucky moment was on a moped. I had 2 brand new tires fitted and not an hour later, a shard of glass went through the front tire and destroyed it on my way to work.

The OH got a puncture in the Leaf. Used the sealant kit supplied and it was beyond useless. Nothing but a mess made. Had to wait for a tow truck.

In the Model 3, I have had 2 slow punctures. The first was a screw in driver front and was repaired twice by a garage. It still loses 1 PSI a fortnight. The second was another screw in driver rear. I plugged it myself with a screw type plug kit. It's held the pressure since being plugged last week.

Foams and goop are a waste of time. I personally never liked changing out a spare and i'm not worried enough to have to carry one with me. If I was doing a very long journey, that would be different and it would be nice to have the option.

finbarrk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120705639#Comment_120705639

I checked out a work colleagues 231 Q4 Etron recently, there is no space for one. The space under the boot floor mat is welded shut.

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120842139#Comment_120842139

i meant the real etron not the id4 etron 😁

joe1303l

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120714358#Comment_120714358

Can of foam/sealant does no harm to the tyre but the inner needs to be cleaned out by the tyre fitter while repairing the puncture. It’s easier for them to claim the tyre is toast and sell you a brand new one.

Skoda have some kind of tyre insurance free for 3 years on the Enyaq. Covers accidental damage etc.

User1998

I haven’t changed a flat tyre in years. I just carry a small air compressor and if I get a puncture I just inflate to 42 PSI and drive straight home or to the tyre shop.

1874

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120394509#Comment_120394509

Is this the new E Niro (Niro EV?), If the original E-Niro BEV, hopefully they carried it over to the newer version. The original version wasn't a complete BEV design, it was shared with PHEV & HEV versions, so maybe thats ehy it has the spare wheel space. Id rather a spacesaver/jack than wasting time like I did recently messing about with the foam which didnt work in the end, resulted in an expensive call out and hours waiting, lucky I even got someone on the weekend far away from home.