On this page
- Where is the spare wheel usually kept?
- How do you tell whether you have a spare wheel, space-saver or kit?
- Where is the spare wheel on SUVs, MPVs and vans?
- How do you tell whether the car has run-flat tyres?
- Where are the jack, wheel brace and towing eye?
- What's worth checking today, before you need it?
- Can't find the spare wheel and you're in Milan?
- Frequently asked questions
Where is the spare wheel usually kept?
The spare wheel is usually under the boot floor: you lift the mat or the rigid panel and find a round well with the wheel held by a central screw-down bolt. The jack and wheel brace are often in the same well, or in the side compartments.
On cars with a battery or other equipment under the boot floor (many hybrids and electric cars), the well may be missing altogether or taken up by other components.
How do you tell whether you have a spare wheel, space-saver or kit?
You can tell by looking at what's in the boot well and comparing it with the other wheels.
| What you find | How to recognise it | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Full-size spare wheel | Same size and same type of rim as the other wheels | You can swap the wheel without any particular limits |
| Space-saver | Narrower wheel, often with a steel rim and a coloured label showing the maximum speed | Temporary use, at limited speed (see space-saver: distance and speed) |
| Repair kit | Canister of sealant and a small 12 V compressor | You can only repair small holes in the tread |
| Nothing | Empty or no well | Possibly run-flat tyres, or no equipment supplied |
Where is the spare wheel on SUVs, MPVs and vans?
On SUVs, MPVs and vans the spare wheel is often under the rear floor, on the outside, hanging from a carrier that's lowered with a winch operated from inside or from the bumper. On some off-roaders it's mounted on the rear tailgate, under a cover.
The control for lowering the wheel from under the floor may be in the boot, under a cap near the lock or behind the number plate: the instructions are in the handbook. If the mechanism is jammed with rust or dirt, don't force it. You'll find more advice for these vehicles on the SUV and van pages.
How do you tell whether the car has run-flat tyres?
You can tell whether the car has run-flats by reading the tyre sidewall: next to the size you'll find a manufacturer-specific marking. The absence of a spare wheel and kit is a clue, but not proof.
The most common markings and how they work are explained in run-flat tyres: how they work. If the tyres aren't run-flats and you have no equipment at all, read what to do with no spare wheel.
Where are the jack, wheel brace and towing eye?
The jack, wheel brace and towing eye are generally in the same well as the spare wheel, or in a polystyrene tray or side compartments in the boot. On some cars with a repair kit no jack is supplied at all.
Check calmly now, not when you've had a puncture: also check for the locking wheel nut key, if fitted, which is often kept in the glovebox or in a small pouch near the tools.
What's worth checking today, before you need it?
Today it's worth checking that your emergency equipment is complete and usable.
- The pressure of the spare wheel or space-saver (see deflated spare wheel).
- The expiry date of the sealant, if you have a kit.
- That the jack, wheel brace and locking wheel nut key are there.
- That the under-floor spare wheel mechanism releases.
Can't find the spare wheel and you're in Milan?
If you've had a puncture in Milan or the surrounding province and can't find the spare wheel, or don't know how to use it, SOS Tyre comes out 24/7, in 30 minutes on average, to wherever the vehicle is. Call +39 377 326 0999.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't many new cars have a spare wheel any more?
Many manufacturers have replaced the spare wheel with a repair kit or run-flat tyres to reduce weight and bulk and free up boot space. On some versions a spare wheel or space-saver is available as an option: check the specific equipment for your model.
The wheel under my SUV's floor won't come down: what do I do?
Check you're using the right tool and turning in the direction shown in the handbook. The mechanism is often jammed with dirt or rust. Don't force it with extension bars or hammers: you risk breaking the winch and leaving the wheel hanging. It's better to ask for assistance.
Can a repair kit be carried alongside a space-saver?
Yes, some cars have both, and many drivers add a portable compressor even if they have a spare. The compressor is useful for inflating the space-saver, which after years in its well is often under-inflated.
Where can I find the list of my car's emergency equipment?
The list is in the owner's handbook, usually in the chapter on emergencies or punctures. There you'll also find where the tools are stored, how to release the spare wheel and where the jacking points are.