**** Poll now closed. Results here:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=27203&...e
This weeks poll, as suggested by Avant is now available.
Would you prefer to have....
1. a full-sized spare wheel
2. a space-saver wheel
3. no spare wheel, but have a can of foam to get home with
4. nothing, because I have run-flat tyres
5. I have no preference to any of the above
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Bad wording in the question??
Poll 18. Would you prefer to have
a full-sized spare wheel
a space-saver wheel
no spare wheel, but have a can of foam to get home with
nothing, because I have run-flat tyres
I have no preference to any of the above
Should nr 4 read 'I would like run-flat tyres' ??
Martin (would pick 4 if it was a wish rather than fact)
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Apologies.
No wonder I got a carp result in Engish at skhool.
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Time for another Pologirl confession.
I've had Polo for over 3 years now and haven't looked at the spare once, in fact I'm not even sure I've got one... and even if I did have, the boot is so full it would be a nightmare to get to it.
It's not all bad however, as I do know how to change a wheel. I wouldn't ever do it though - that's what I'm in the RAC for.
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You're not the only one PoloGirl. I've not looked for (or needed) the spare on my last 3 cars, that's an easy 120-140k miles worth. That's why I voted for the 'space saver' option.
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I once nursed a Marina home after a puncture on the M11. It was only a few miles and it was going down slowly, so I managed ok. Smug in the knowledge that I had checked the prescence and condition of the spare when I bought the car (no one gets one over on ME) I performed the nescessary change outside my house, only to discover that the wheel was from something else and wouldn't fit.
Thank god for breakers yards.
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You do realise if you call out motoring organisation. and they see your spare is either illegal/flat. you will be charged for them to sort it out..Sister in law got caught out on this.cost of new tyre-plus £25..In her case they took it to nearest tyre centre to fix ie wasnt cheapest of places to get a tyre..total cost £75..She was rightly told..its owners responsability to ensure spare is in good condition/legal.
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Steve
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<<......I do know how tochange a wheel. I wouldn't ever do it though - that's what I'm in the RAC for.
Shame on you, Pologirl.
If all RAC members called them out every time they had a minor problem that they were capable of solving themselves, subscriptions would go through the roof. It's times like this that I'm glad I'm in the AA, not the RAC!
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L\'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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That is exactly why my wife was in the **(wont name so the moderator doesn't have to delete), just over two years ago when she had a 206CC she got the inevitable puncture and called me at work with the question "What do I do?" I told her to call the aforesaid motoring organisation. When they turned up the patrolman looked under the car and then asked her where the spare was, she said she didn't have one and gave him the aerosol that came with the car to be greeted with "Sorry but we are not allowed to use them!"
She is no longer with that organisation and our preference is full size or space saver but never a can of goo!.
Ian
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So what did the patrolman do, take her and the wheel to get a new tyre fitted or take the whole car?
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Hmmmm,
AA and RAC are obliged to change tyres - it's all part of the service. If they thought it was unnecessary they'd exempt it.
Some companies do not allow their drivers to change tyres due to concerns about health and safety issues.
I've struggled to free wheelbolts that have been over-torqued and wouldn't want SWMBO straining herself unnecessarily.
Current advice in the event of a puncture on a motorway is not to fix it yourself, but call for assistance.
That way you get a nice breakdown truck to cushion the impact of the person that's just dozed off and drifted onto the hard shoulder.
Shame on you L'escargot
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Full size spare please, though possibly steel as a spare for alloy provided handling not compromised
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Get a BX or DS etc. You can drive it on 3 wheels! as long as it is a back one that is missing. (but watch the bends!)
pmh (was peter)
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Another solution is to just drive an old banger. When you get a puncture, drive around with the flat wheel until you can get a scrappie, where you buy a new wheel with tyre fitted for £10, and if you smile sweetly at the scrappie he'll probably fit it for you ...
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The old car had run flats, very bad ride tbh.
Not sure what the new car has, will have to check tomorrow...hope it's full size.
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Lee
Having a Fabialous time.
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The results of this weeks poll are:-
Poll 18. Would you prefer to have
a full-sized spare wheel = 82
a space-saver wheel = 7
no spare wheel, but have a can of foam to get home with = 1
nothing, because I have run-flat tyres = 1
I have no preference to any of the above = 4
If you want any results from earlier polls, then mail me at mailto:dave_moderator@honestjohn.co.uk
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Many thanks for taking up my suggestion; delighted that other backroomers feel the same as I do, strongly enough to vote.
This started with my daring to suggest that the BMW 1-series, with no spare wheel, was less than perfect - and being roundly condemned by HJ for it. RWD shouldn't make a full-size spare impossible - plenty of other makers manage.
Has anyone with a spare-less car had a puncture where the hole is too big for the can of goo, or even for the tyre to run flat? OK, you call out the AA, RAC or whomever, but what can they do? Perhaps I'm missing something.
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