Dear Tom and Ray:

Could someone tell me why a "space-saver spare" cannot be fixed? I went to five gas stations and a tire store, and got the same answer: "Because it's a temporary tire." So what? It's still made of rubber like other tires, isn't it? Why won't anybody fix this? -- Jan

Tom: For the same reason you don't bother patching a hole in a Dixie Cup, Jan. It's engineered for limited use (i.e., it's cheap junk), and the rubber isn't thick enough to hold a plug reliably.

Ray: These so-called space-saver spares are designed for emergency use only. They're just good enough to get you off the highway, or off the abandoned side road, and to a gas station where you can get your regular tire fixed or buy a new one. In fact, most of them warn you not to exceed 50 mph and 50 miles of driving.

Tom: Why do they use such a flimsy tire? Well, if the rubber had the same thickness and durability as a regular tire, it wouldn't, what? Save any space!

Ray: It's a compromise, Jan. Because tires are so much better than they used to be, people get fewer flats. And because most people drive in the general vicinity of civilization, 50 miles of driving is usually enough to get you to help.

Tom: So on the odd chance that you have to use your mini spare and you wear it out, you buy a new one. And for the average person, who gets a flat once every five to eight years nowadays, this system works just fine.

Ray: If it bothers you, you can always go out and buy yourself a full-sized spare. It'll cost more, it'll add weight to the car (which cuts down your gas mileage), and it'll take up more space. But it's certainly a viable option.

Tom: And if you don't want to give up all that trunk space for a full-size spare, heck, you can do what my brother does and just throw it in the back seat!

Don't get stuck with a lemon. Be an informed shopper. Read Tom and Ray's guide "How to Buy a Great Used Car: Secrets Only Your Mechanic Knows." To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1997 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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