The AA is trialling a ‘universal’ spare wheel after revealing close to a fifth (17%) of its members do not have a spare wheel in their car.
The wheel fits the majority of modern cars with a five-stud wheel, with the 17-inch alloy using a system of special adaptors of ten different sizes to find the best fit.
Punctures and other tyre-related issues are the AA’s second-most common call-out – after batteries – averaging 35,000 a month or more than one in ten breakdowns.
Donald MacSporran, the AA’s head of technical, said: “Although punctures are thankfully rare for most drivers, you can’t beat the convenience of a spare wheel.
“If your car doesn’t have one, we can sometimes perform a temporary repair at the roadside or take the damaged wheel to a local tyre fitter but this can take time.
“The ‘universal’ spare offers a more convenient alternative by allowing you to drive to a local tyre depot yourself or continue your journey with the minimum of fuss.
“The patrol will reclaim the spare from the tyre depot or it gets couriered back to us after you’ve finished with it.”
The nationwide trial is the latest innovation by the UK’s biggest breakdown provider to further improve its ability to fix cars at the roadside.
In the past 12 months, the AA has invested around £15 million in patrols’ training, equipment, technology and vehicles.
Sydney Moore - 02/09/2013 11:36
As an owner of a Toyota Rav 4 with the problem I consider it an extremely good idea, 'hats off' to AA for taking the lead in a matter that should have been addressed by the Motor Manufacturers instead of passing the expense onto someone else because they want to save money. However I still believe it is the responsibility of the Vehicle manufacturer to supply a spare full size tyre and rim or to even allow it to be purchased at a resonable price as an extra I do not consider £370+ vat to be resonable (Incl Tyre £130).