Spare tire types explained

What are the different types of spare tire?

There are five main spare tire configurations: (1) Full-size matching spare — identical to the fitted tires, no speed or distance restriction, but heavy and expensive. (2) Space-saver (temporary use) spare — narrower than standard, typically limited to 80 km/h and 80 km; must not be fitted on the drive axle of vehicles with traction control calibrated to the standard tire width. (3) Run-flat tires — allow driving at up to 80 km/h for up to 80 km after complete pressure loss; no spare carried. (4) Tire mobility kit (sealant + compressor) — seals punctures up to about 4 mm in the tread only; does not work on sidewall damage; the tire must be replaced after sealant use. (5) Full-size non-matching spare — correct diameter but different brand or pattern; avoid on drive axle of AWD vehicles.

Spare tire types: full comparison

Type	Speed limit	Distance limit	Weight	Cost	Best for
Full-size matching spare	None — same rating as fitted tires	None	15–25 kg (typical passenger car)	£100–£400 depending on tire and rim	Long-distance drivers, remote areas, AWD vehicles, any driver who cannot service a tire quickly
Space-saver (temporary use)	Maximum 80 km/h (50 mph). Posted clearly on sidewall.	80 km (50 miles) recommended — some manufacturers allow up to 200 km at reduced speed	7–12 kg	£60–£180	Urban and suburban drivers who can reach a tire fitter quickly
Run-flat tires (no spare)	80 km/h maximum in run-flat mode (zero pressure)	80 km maximum in run-flat mode. Varies by manufacturer.	3–6 kg heavier than standard equivalent	30–50% more than standard equivalent per tire	Vehicles with no spare tire well, sports cars, urban drivers; not for long-distance solo rural driving
Tire mobility kit (sealant + compressor)	Maximum 80 km/h after sealing, for limited distance to reach a fitter	100–200 km after sealing to reach a tire fitter (varies by product)	1–3 kg	£25–£80 for kit; canister must be replaced after use (£15–£40)	EVs and vehicles where space and weight are critical (e.g. two-seater sports cars)
Full-size non-matching spare	Matches its own speed rating — no inherent speed restriction beyond the tire itself	No specific limit — but should not be used long-term as a permanent replacement on AWD	15–25 kg	Variable — often a surplus tire from previous season	Budget-conscious drivers; acceptable for FWD/RWD vehicles; avoid on AWD

Space-saver spare: rules and restrictions

Rule	Detail	Consequence of ignoring
Speed limit	Maximum 80 km/h (50 mph). This is marked on the tire sidewall. The narrower tire generates less heat at the contact patch but lacks the lateral stiffness and load rating of the standard tire at higher speeds.	Exceeding 80 km/h on a space-saver risks tire failure, unpredictable handling, and reduced braking.
Distance limit	Manufacturers typically state 50–80 km as the operational range. Beyond this, heat accumulation in the lighter carcass and reduced compound volume can lead to accelerated wear and structural fatigue.	Use the space-saver only to travel to the nearest tire fitter, not as a continuing solution.
Axle placement	Space-saver tires must not be fitted on the steering axle (front) of vehicles with stability-critical systems calibrated to the standard tire circumference — ABS, ESC, and TPMS may behave unexpectedly. Some manufacturers prohibit front fitment.	Check your owner's manual. If the space-saver specifies "rear axle only," fit it at the rear and move a damaged front tire to the rear position (if the rear tire is undamaged).
AWD (All-wheel drive) vehicles	AWD systems with permanent torque distribution (Haldex, Torsen, etc.) are sensitive to different tire rolling circumferences on the same axle or across axles. A space-saver's smaller circumference can cause the AWD system to register a permanent "slip" condition, potentially damaging the centre differential or clutch pack.	Manufacturers of AWD vehicles typically prohibit space-saver use. Use a full-size spare only.
TPMS	Space-saver tires typically do not include a TPMS sensor, or the sensor frequency may differ. Fitting a space-saver will trigger the TPMS warning light. This is expected — the light should be off once the standard tire is refitted and the system re-learns.	The TPMS warning during space-saver use is not a fault — it is expected. Drive carefully.

Run-flat tires: what "80 km at 80 km/h" means

Run-flat tires (also sold as RFT, SSR, RSC, ROF, EMT, or ZP depending on manufacturer) use reinforced sidewalls — typically self-supporting sidewalls with 15–20 mm of extra rubber and additional apex filler — to support the vehicle's weight when the air pressure drops to zero.

The "80/80 rule" (80 km/h for 80 km) is not a guarantee — it is the minimum the tire must achieve under controlled test conditions. In practice:

Heavy vehicles (above the tire's rated load) shorten the run-flat range significantly.
High ambient temperature reduces run-flat range — heat accelerates sidewall breakdown.
Sustained speeds above 80 km/h in run-flat mode rapidly degrade the sidewall and can cause complete structural failure.
After any run-flat use (even a short distance), the tire must be inspected and in most cases replaced — internal carcass damage from sidewall flex cannot be seen externally.

Do not mix run-flat and conventional tires. Run-flat and conventional tires must not be mixed on the same axle (and many manufacturers prohibit mixing on the same vehicle). The handling asymmetry between a run-flat sidewall and a standard sidewall in the same cornering situation is significant. For the full run-flat guide, see our Run-flat tire guide.

Tire mobility kit: when it works and when it does not

Scenario	Detail	Notes
Works	Clean puncture (nail, screw, wire) through the tread area. Puncture diameter approximately 1–4 mm.	The sealant fills the hole temporarily. The tire must be driven gently immediately after sealing to distribute the compound around the puncture.
Does NOT work	Sidewall damage, large tread tears, bead damage, or punctures larger than ~4–6 mm.	Sealant cannot seal a sidewall puncture. If the tire is damaged on the sidewall, the mobility kit is useless — you need roadside assistance or a spare tire.
Does NOT work	Run-flat mode blowout (tire driven on without pressure for any significant distance).	Internal carcass damage from run-flat operation cannot be repaired. Replace the tire.
Tire unusable after sealant	After sealant use, the tire interior is coated. Patches cannot adhere to sealant-coated surfaces — standard puncture repair is no longer possible.	Inform the tire fitter that sealant was used. They will assess whether cleaning and repair is possible or whether replacement is required. In most cases, the tire is replaced.
TPMS sensor compatibility	Sealant can clog TPMS sensors. Some sealants are TPMS-compatible (labelled accordingly). Non-compatible sealants may require sensor replacement on top of tire replacement.	Check whether your kit is TPMS-compatible before an emergency. Tesla, for example, requires a TPMS-compatible sealant.

OEM spare tire policy by manufacturer

OEM	Standard spare policy	Mobility kit	Full-size spare available?
BMW / MINI (i-Series)	Run-flat tires standard on most BMW/MINI models. No spare tire well. Run-flat mode: 80 km/h for 80 km.	Run-flat inflation kit available as supplement, not replacement for RFT	Full-size spare available as dealer option on some models. Check individual model spec.
Tesla	No spare tire. Self-sealing tires standard on Model 3/Y (Michelin PrimacyMXM4 Acoustic with sealant layer).	Tesla Emergency Inflation Kit included — TPMS-compatible sealant + compressor	No official spare tire. Aftermarket full-size spare available from third parties.
Volkswagen / Audi / Porsche (MQB platform)	Mix of space-saver and mobility kit depending on model and market. Taycan uses space-saver or RFT.	Standard on many Golf/Polo variants — Audi mobility kit or VW Tire Mobility Kit	Full-size matching spare available as option on most VW Group models
Toyota / Lexus	Full-size or space-saver spare standard on most ICE models. Hybrids (Prius, RAV4 Hybrid) often use mobility kit.	Toyota Tire Puncture Repair Kit — included on many hybrid models	Full-size spare available on most ICE models
Stellantis (Citroën / Peugeot / Fiat / Vauxhall)	Trend toward mobility kits on B-segment and C-segment. C5 Aircross / 5008 offer space-saver option.	Emergency puncture repair kit (Slime or equivalent) on many models	Space-saver spare widely available as dealer option

The trend away from spare tires

Since approximately 2010, the automotive industry has shifted strongly toward eliminating the physical spare tire to save weight, reduce CO₂ emissions (lighter car = lower fuel consumption = lower regulatory penalty), and free up boot space. The proportion of new cars sold without a full-size spare tire increased from approximately 5% in 2005 to over 35% in 2023 in the EU.

For EVs this trend is even more pronounced: the battery pack occupies space previously used for a spare tire well, and weight reduction is critical for range. Virtually all BEVs with a range above 300 km use either run-flat tires, a tire mobility kit, or self-sealing tires in place of a physical spare.

The practical consequence: when buying a used vehicle, check whether it includes a working spare tire or mobility kit — second-hand cars often arrive missing the kit or with an expired canister.

How to maintain a spare tire in good condition

Check	Frequency	What to look for
Tread depth	Annually	Spare tires rarely used but age and crack regardless. Check tread depth with a gauge — minimum 3 mm for safe use, 1.6 mm is the legal minimum. A full-size spare below 1.6 mm is unusable in an emergency.
Cold inflation pressure	Monthly (or at least every 3 months)	Spares lose pressure through permeation even when stored unused. A space-saver spare typically requires 420 kPa (60 PSI) — much higher than a standard tire. Full-size spares lose ~0.07 bar per month through normal permeation.
Sidewall cracking	Annually	Ozone cracking occurs even in stored tires. A spare with Grade 3–4 sidewall cracking (cracks reaching the cord layer) is dangerous regardless of its low mileage. Age (DOT date code) is as important as tread — see our tire age guide.
DOT age	At purchase of vehicle and annually thereafter	A full-size or space-saver spare tire older than 10 years (from the DOT manufacture date, even if barely used) should be replaced. Most manufacturers recommend replacement at 6–8 years for the spare, same as fitted tires.
Mobility kit expiry	Annually	Sealant canisters have an expiry date (typically 4–10 years from manufacture). An expired canister may not seal effectively. Check the canister date printed on the label.

For tire age assessment, see our Tire age guide and Tire cracking and ageing guide.

Legal requirements for spare tires

No EU member state or the UK legally requires a spare tire to be carried in a private passenger vehicle. However, some countries require vehicles to carry certain emergency equipment — reflective triangles, vests, first aid kits — which vary by country. Notably:

UK: No legal requirement for a spare tire in a private car. A roadside call-out for a flat tire is the driver's responsibility.
Germany: No legal requirement for a spare tire. Reflective triangle and warning vest are legally required.
France: No legal requirement for a spare tire. Reflective triangle required.
Spain: No legal requirement for a spare tire. Two reflective triangles and a warning vest required.

While not legally mandated, TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) is mandatory on all new cars sold in the EU and UK since 2014, which means any tire pressure loss will be detected before it becomes a full flat. For the full TPMS guide, see our TPMS guide.

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Last reviewed: 2026-06-22