Touran 57 plate - no spare wheel, just foam and a pump

[nick-205]

Hi All,

Recently acquired a 57 plate VW Touran. It's a good car and with 3 kids we need the 7 seat option.

Having had a number of cars (including several VAG ones) it's the first I've had that doesn't have a spare wheel, just a can or foam and an air pump that runs off the cars 12V system. Even though I'm fairly practical myself the car is my wife's and I'm often not in it. Having had punctures before the availability of a spare wheel is usually a quick and easy method of getting on the move again. I fear the foam and pump approach (whilst weight saving) is not as good and may often simply not work.

I know other car manufacturers take the same approach and wonder what other people's practical experience of the system is?

Thanks,
Nick

[zollaf]

the foam will fix most punctures caused by a nail, but also makes the tyre scrap for a later repair. but, rip a sidewall out anywhere and its a wait for a recovery truck to come and get you. they will then take you to a place to buy a tyre, or recover you somewhere. if its a sunday or you are miles away from anywhere, this can really upset your day. best bet, get a spare wheel, preferably a full sized one and not a silly space saver. where to put it, i don't know, anywhere, or buy a car with space for a spare, or get a landrover spare wheel carrier and bolt it on the back. i mean, who in their right mind sellls a car with no spare tyre. idiots.
(ex recovery driver, been out to many punctures like this )

[jmagee]

Sadly lots of cars have no spare now unless spec'd on the build. As above pick one up, try eBay or even sites like this. Someone selling steel wheels as they've upgraded to alloys.

My car came with gunk buy still had the well for a spare wheel. Speak to vw and ask where the spare would normally be stored.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

[nick-205]

Buying a spare is an option, but having checked the boot of my 7 seater there is no space to store the spare. Having to lug it about in the boot when seats 6-7 are used weekly would be impractical for us. I wasn't aware of this issue when buying the car and have to say it would have made me look elsewhere.

[zollaf]

i am into old landrovers, they have the spare on the bonnet or on the tailgate on a carrier. the old rover p6's had a small boot so the spare was mounted on the boot lid. a touran with the spare on the rear door would look awesome. just throwing ideas about....

[Bazvw205]

They'd only come with a spare if it was a 5 seat version. That's where the spare would sit then

[mustard]

Part of the reason for cars not having a spare any more is weight/fuel saving. Whilst punctures do happen, I (touch wood) haven't had one for a long while. My tyres have a sealant already in them that will tolerate a nail/screw puncture, avoiding the need to insert the foam.

[nick-205]

Part of the reason for cars not having a spare any more is weight/fuel saving. Whilst punctures do happen, I (touch wood) haven't had one for a long while. My tyres have a sealant already in them that will tolerate a nail/screw puncture, avoiding the need to insert the foam.

I do understand the reasons, but it's the practicality that bugs me. I've suffered a number of punctures over the years and a spare wheel is a quick and easy way to get going again for me.

[niall campbell]

Can you take one of your wheels off & see if it fits in the spare wheel holder if there is one fitted ?

If it does then I would either get a steel wheel and tyre as a spare ............................ or pick up an alloy wheel ............... depends how much you want to spend


I think the spare wheel for me is a no brainer


I hate the space saver wheels as well , hardly any garage has a air compressor that can blow them up to 60 psi !

[vwcabriolet1971]

In my experience VAG do sell spare wheel kits for some vehicles originally fitted without them. Some of the countries with large areas with sparse garage or breakdown service support ( e.g. south Africa , Australia etc) have spare wheels fitted. In some cases the spare wheel is accommodated in a styrene raised rear floor. Your vehicle may have this option.
When I bought my MK6 golf it came with a skinny spare wheel which was significantly smaller in outside diameter as well as being very narrow. I wasn't happy with the "crab" like driving prospect this would give so I made a few enquires and found that a full size kit was available. Most dealers contacted weren't aware of this option for UK cars ! "that's how they all come sir" was the answer. It's most reassuring that if I get a puncture I can carry without any 50Km/hr and journey length restrictions. I did pay extra for a full size alloy wheel but as I keep my vehicles for up to 10 years I thought it was worth it ( now retired - low mileage). It also helps with tyre swapping.
The thought of driving around in a city like B'ham with all the speed humps with a reduced diam tyre leaves me cold !