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Why doesn't your car have a spare wheel?
Many modern cars don't have a spare wheel by the manufacturer's choice: instead there's a repair kit (sealant and compressor), or the car is fitted with run-flat tyres designed to keep going for a limited distance even after a puncture. On electric and hybrid cars, the space under the floor is often taken up by batteries and components, so a spare is missing more often.
Before looking for solutions, check what you have: lift the boot floor and look in the side compartments. The owner's manual lists the standard equipment.
What options do you have without a spare wheel?
Without a spare wheel, your options depend on the type of damage and what you have on board.
| Situation | Option |
|---|---|
| Small hole in the tread, you have the kit | Use the kit following the instructions, then have the tyre checked |
| Cut, sidewall damage or burst tyre | Don't use the kit, don't drive, call for assistance |
| Tyre flat for some time or driven on deflated | Don't drive, call for assistance |
| Run-flat tyres | Carry on within the manufacturer's limits |
| No kit and no spare | Call for assistance for an on-the-spot assessment |
How do you use the repair kit safely?
Only use the kit once you're safe, and only for small holes in the tread. Instructions vary from model to model, but the sequence is usually this:
- Get the car to a safe spot, switch on your hazard lights, put on your vest when compulsory and place the warning triangle.
- Check that the damage is a small hole in the tread and not a cut or sidewall damage.
- Connect the bottle and compressor to the valve as shown on the kit, and to the car's power socket.
- Inflate to the indicated pressure and check that it holds.
- Immediately drive a short distance at low speed to spread the sealant, then check the pressure again.
- Stick to the maximum speed shown on the kit and have the tyre checked by a tyre fitter as soon as possible.
If the pressure doesn't hold, stop and call. The full comparison of the options is in the guide repair kit or space-saver.
When isn't the kit enough?
The kit isn't enough when the damage is too big or in the wrong place: it won't seal cuts, it doesn't work on shoulder or sidewall damage and it's no use if the tyre has come off the rim or has been driven on deflated for a long way. Sealant also has an expiry date, shown on the bottle: if it's out of date, it may not work.
Bear in mind that after using sealant the tyre must still be checked, and some products can make a later repair more complicated.
Can you drive with a puncture and no spare wheel?
You don't drive on a punctured, deflated tyre, whether or not you have a spare wheel. You can only move after a successful emergency repair with the kit, within the speed limits indicated, or if you have run-flat tyres and follow the manufacturer's guidance. Also read can you drive on a flat tyre?.
How does SOS Tyre help if you don't have a spare wheel?
Without a spare wheel, the solution is to repair the tyre where the car is. SOS Tyre comes out straight away, 24/7, in Milan and its province, and assesses an on-the-spot tyre repair where technically possible. If the tyre can't be repaired, replacement with a new tyre needs to be checked on the phone based on size and availability.
Call +39 377 326 0999 or use the assistance request and tell us:
- the exact location of the vehicle;
- make, model and whether it's electric or hybrid;
- the exact tyre size, read from the sidewall;
- whether you've already used the sealant kit, plus a photo of the damage.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know whether my car has a spare wheel?
Lift the boot floor: the spare wheel or space-saver is usually there, while the kit is often in a side compartment. On some SUVs and vans the spare is under the floor, on the outside. The owner's manual always lists the standard equipment.
Do I need to tell the tyre fitter I've used sealant?
Yes, always. Sealant remains inside the tyre and on the pressure sensor, if fitted: the technician needs to know so they can clean it properly, assess the damage and check whether the tyre can still be repaired. If possible, keep the used bottle.
Can I buy a space-saver to keep in the car?
In many cases yes, but it must be compatible with your vehicle in terms of size, wheel bolt pattern and braking system, and you also need the right jack. Check in the owner's manual or with the manufacturer whether your model allows a space-saver and which one; also consider the space available in the boot.
Does the sealant in the kit expire?
Yes, the sealant bottle has an expiry date printed on the label. An out-of-date product may not seal the hole properly. Check the date from time to time and replace the bottle when necessary, or after each use.