A spare tire (or stepney in some countries[1]) is an additional tire (or tyre - see spelling differences) carried in a motor vehicle as a replacement for one that goes flat, has a blowout, or has another emergency. Spare tire is generally a misnomer, as almost all vehicles actually carry an entire wheel with a tire mounted on it as a spare rather than just a tire, as fitting a tire to a wheel would require a motorist to carry additional, specialized equipment. However, some spare tires ("space-saver" and "donut" types) are not meant to be driven long distances.[2] Space-savers have a maximum speed of around 50 mph (80 km/h).[3]
A spare tire allows a driver to replace a flat tire and drive on
A Stepney rim. An early approach to providing a car with a spare tire
Dual sidemounted spare tires behind the front fenders on a 1931 Nash Ambassador
Temporary use "space-saver" spare tire mounted in the trunk of a 1970 AMC AMX with a single use air canister
Full size spare tire mounted in cargo space area of a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Full size spare tire stowed in the engine bay of a Renault 14
Bristol's traditional wing-mounted spare wheel on a Bristol 410
When replacing a damaged tire, placing the compact spare on a non-drive axle will prevent damage to the drivetrain. If placed on a drivetrain axle, the smaller-diameter tire can put stress on the differential causing damage and reducing handling.[4]
The early days of motor travel took place on primitive roads that were littered with stray horseshoe nails. Punctures (flat tires) were all too common, and required the motorist to remove the wheel from the car, demount the tire, patch the inner tube, re-mount the tire, inflate the tire, and re-mount the wheel.
To alleviate this time-consuming process, Walter and Tom Davies of Llanelli, Wales, invented the spare tire in 1904. At the time, motor cars were made without spare wheels.[5] The wheel was so successful that the brothers started their own company, Stepney Spare Motor Wheel Limited, (named after the location of their workshop on Stepney Street In Llanelli) and started marketing the wheel in Britain, Europe, and the British Empire and colonies.[6] The word "stepney" is sometimes used interchangeably in countries that were once part of the British Empire such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Malta.[1]
The first to equip cars with an inflated spare wheel-and-tire assembly were the Ramblers made by Thomas B. Jeffery Company.[7] The Rambler's interchangeable wheel with a mounted and inflated spare tire meant the motorist could exchange it quickly for the punctured tire that could then be repaired at a more convenient time and place.[8]
The pre-mounted spare tire and wheel combination proved so popular with motorists that carrying up to two spare tires became common.[citation needed]Automakers often equipped cars with one or dual sidemounts. The spares were mounted behind the front fenders as they blended into the running boards (a narrow footboard serving as a step beneath the doors).
In 1941, the U.S. government temporarily prohibited spare tires on new cars as part of the nation's World War IIrationing strategy, which led to quotas and laws designed to force conservation, including rubber that was produced overseas and difficult to get. A similar ration prohibition was also implemented by the U.S. during the Korean War in 1951.[9]
Usage in the 21st century
Contemporary vehicles may come equipped with full-size spares, limited use minispares, or have run-flat capability.[10]
The spare tire may be identical type and size to those on the vehicle. The spare may either be mounted on a plain steel rim or a matching road wheel as found on the vehicle. Among passenger vehicles, full-sized spares are usually provided for sport utility vehicles and light trucks, since a "limited use" spare would adversely affect such vehicles with higher centers of gravity. Additionally, a "limited use" spare may not be safe on a fully loaded truck or one that is towing a trailer. Due to the size of the full-sized spare, it is often mounted on the outside, such as the rear door of SUVs, and occasionally on the front hood.
Many vehicles are provided with a "limited use" spare tire, also known as a "space-saver," temporary spare, "donut", or "compact" spare tire — in an attempt to reduce cost, lower the vehicle's weight, and/or to save on the space that would be needed for a full-size spare tire. Introduced in the late 1970s,[11] as of 2017, temporary spares come standard on 53 percent of 2017 models in the U.S.[12] A space-saver is typically 7 kg (15 lb) lighter than a full-sized wheel and in some cars the so-called 'space-saver' may actually save little to no space. There is also the difficulty of transporting the full-sized wheel and tire once the space-saver has been fitted. The spare is usually mounted on a plain steel rim.
They are typically smaller than the normal tires on the vehicle and can only be used for limited distances because of their short life expectancy and low speed rating. As well, due to the different size of a donut compared to regular wheel, electronic stability control and traction control systems will not operate properly and should be disabled until the original wheel is restored.[citation needed] Space saver spare tires could potentially compromise the braking (especially on cars not fitted with anti-lock brakes) and handling of the car.[13]
In some cases, automobiles may be equipped with run-flat tires and thus not require a separate spare tire. Other vehicles may carry a can of tire repair foam, to repair punctured tires, although these often do not work in the case of larger punctures, and are useless in the event of a blow-out.
Newer vehicles often do not come with a spare tire at all. The reduction of a spare tire increases fuel economy, cost of vehicle, as well as reducing production waste.
Storage
Spare tires in automobiles are often stored in a spare tire well – a recessed area in the trunk of a vehicle, usually in the center, where the spare tire is stored while not in use. In most cars, the spare tire is secured with a bolt and wing-nut style fastener. Usually a stiff sheet of cardboard lies on top of the spare tire well with the trunk carpet on top of it to hide the spare tire and provide a pleasant look to and a flat surface for the trunk space.
Other storage locations include a cradle underneath the rear of the vehicle. This cradle is usually secured by a bolt that is accessible from inside the trunk, for security. This arrangement has advantages over storing the tire inside the trunk, including not having to empty the contents of the trunk to access the wheel and this arrangement may also save space in some applications. However it has disadvantages because that tire gets dirty, making the act of changing the tire more unpleasant and the mechanism may also rust on older cars, making it difficult to free the spare. The cradle arrangement is usually only practical on front wheel drive cars, as the cradle would get in the way of the rear axle on most rear or four wheel drive cars. A similar arrangement is also often found on trucks where the spare is often stored beneath the truck bed.
Many sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and off-road vehicles have the spare wheel mounted externally – usually on the rear door, but others may mount them on the roof, the side, or even on the bonnet (hood).
Vehicles like the Volkswagen Beetle used spare tires for ancillary purposes such as supplying air pressure to the windscreen washer system.
Many models of Bristol cars - those from the 404 of 1953 to the Fighter of 2004 carried a full-size spare wheel and tire in a pannier compartment built into the left-hand wing. This not only increased luggage space and allowed easy access to the spare without having to unload the trunk but improved weight distribution by keeping as much mass as possible within the wheelbase and balancing the weight of the battery, mounted in a similar compartment in the right-hand wing.
^ ab"OED Online main entry text frame". Bl.uk. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
^Toyota Corolla 2016, Page 529, The compact spare tire is identified by the label "TEMPORARY USE ONLY" on the tire sidewall. Use the compact spare tire temporarily, and only in an emergency
^Toyota Corolla 2016, Page 530, "Do not drive at speeds in excess of 50 mph (80 km/h) when a compact spare tire is installed on the vehicle. The compact spare tire is not designed for driving at high speeds. Failure to observe this precaution may lead to an accident causing death or serious injury."
^"How Long Can You Really Use Your Spare Tire?". popularmechanics.com. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
^Parc Howard Museum. "Stepney Spare wheel, made for early cars". BBC. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
^"World Wide Words: Stepney". World Wide Words. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
^Hyde, Charles K. (2009). Storied independent automakers: Nash, Hudson, and American Motors. Wayne State University Press. p. 12. ISBN978-0-8143-3446-1. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
^"The 1909 Rambler Spare Wheel (advertisement)". Western Medical Review. Nebraska State Medical Association. 13 (12): xiv. December 1908. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
^Egan, Charles E. (3 April 1951). "Ban on Spare Tire Made Mandatory; U.S. Adopts Voluntary Action of Auto Producers--Rubber Goes to Heavier Duty". The New York Times.
^Holas, Igor (12 September 2007). . Zimbio. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
^"Compact spare tire ready for debut with '78 models". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. June 12, 1977. p. B20.
^"Spare Tires in New Cars: What You Need to Know". 10 May 2011.
^"Space savers - TUSTs". RACV. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Automobile spare wheels.
January 30, 2023
spare, tire, stomach, abdominal, obesity, spare, tire, stepney, some, countries, additional, tire, tyre, spelling, differences, carried, motor, vehicle, replacement, that, goes, flat, blowout, another, emergency, generally, misnomer, almost, vehicles, actually. For the stomach fat see Abdominal obesity A spare tire or stepney in some countries 1 is an additional tire or tyre see spelling differences carried in a motor vehicle as a replacement for one that goes flat has a blowout or has another emergency Spare tire is generally a misnomer as almost all vehicles actually carry an entire wheel with a tire mounted on it as a spare rather than just a tire as fitting a tire to a wheel would require a motorist to carry additional specialized equipment However some spare tires space saver and donut types are not meant to be driven long distances 2 Space savers have a maximum speed of around 50 mph 80 km h 3 A spare tire allows a driver to replace a flat tire and drive on A Stepney rim An early approach to providing a car with a spare tire Dual sidemounted spare tires behind the front fenders on a 1931 Nash Ambassador Temporary use space saver spare tire mounted in the trunk of a 1970 AMC AMX with a single use air canister Full size spare tire mounted in cargo space area of a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Full size spare tire stowed in the engine bay of a Renault 14 Donut type tire on a Chevrolet Lacetti Bristol s traditional wing mounted spare wheel on a Bristol 410 When replacing a damaged tire placing the compact spare on a non drive axle will prevent damage to the drivetrain If placed on a drivetrain axle the smaller diameter tire can put stress on the differential causing damage and reducing handling 4 Contents 1 History 2 Usage in the 21st century 3 Storage 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditThe early days of motor travel took place on primitive roads that were littered with stray horseshoe nails Punctures flat tires were all too common and required the motorist to remove the wheel from the car demount the tire patch the inner tube re mount the tire inflate the tire and re mount the wheel To alleviate this time consuming process Walter and Tom Davies of Llanelli Wales invented the spare tire in 1904 At the time motor cars were made without spare wheels 5 The wheel was so successful that the brothers started their own company Stepney Spare Motor Wheel Limited named after the location of their workshop on Stepney Street In Llanelli and started marketing the wheel in Britain Europe and the British Empire and colonies 6 The word stepney is sometimes used interchangeably in countries that were once part of the British Empire such as Pakistan Bangladesh India and Malta 1 The first to equip cars with an inflated spare wheel and tire assembly were the Ramblers made by Thomas B Jeffery Company 7 The Rambler s interchangeable wheel with a mounted and inflated spare tire meant the motorist could exchange it quickly for the punctured tire that could then be repaired at a more convenient time and place 8 The pre mounted spare tire and wheel combination proved so popular with motorists that carrying up to two spare tires became common citation needed Automakers often equipped cars with one or dual sidemounts The spares were mounted behind the front fenders as they blended into the running boards a narrow footboard serving as a step beneath the doors In 1941 the U S government temporarily prohibited spare tires on new cars as part of the nation s World War II rationing strategy which led to quotas and laws designed to force conservation including rubber that was produced overseas and difficult to get A similar ration prohibition was also implemented by the U S during the Korean War in 1951 9 Usage in the 21st century EditContemporary vehicles may come equipped with full size spares limited use minispares or have run flat capability 10 The spare tire may be identical type and size to those on the vehicle The spare may either be mounted on a plain steel rim or a matching road wheel as found on the vehicle Among passenger vehicles full sized spares are usually provided for sport utility vehicles and light trucks since a limited use spare would adversely affect such vehicles with higher centers of gravity Additionally a limited use spare may not be safe on a fully loaded truck or one that is towing a trailer Due to the size of the full sized spare it is often mounted on the outside such as the rear door of SUVs and occasionally on the front hood Many vehicles are provided with a limited use spare tire also known as a space saver temporary spare donut or compact spare tire in an attempt to reduce cost lower the vehicle s weight and or to save on the space that would be needed for a full size spare tire Introduced in the late 1970s 11 as of 2017 temporary spares come standard on 53 percent of 2017 models in the U S 12 A space saver is typically 7 kg 15 lb lighter than a full sized wheel and in some cars the so called space saver may actually save little to no space There is also the difficulty of transporting the full sized wheel and tire once the space saver has been fitted The spare is usually mounted on a plain steel rim They are typically smaller than the normal tires on the vehicle and can only be used for limited distances because of their short life expectancy and low speed rating As well due to the different size of a donut compared to regular wheel electronic stability control and traction control systems will not operate properly and should be disabled until the original wheel is restored citation needed Space saver spare tires could potentially compromise the braking especially on cars not fitted with anti lock brakes and handling of the car 13 In some cases automobiles may be equipped with run flat tires and thus not require a separate spare tire Other vehicles may carry a can of tire repair foam to repair punctured tires although these often do not work in the case of larger punctures and are useless in the event of a blow out Newer vehicles often do not come with a spare tire at all The reduction of a spare tire increases fuel economy cost of vehicle as well as reducing production waste Storage EditSpare tires in automobiles are often stored in a spare tire well a recessed area in the trunk of a vehicle usually in the center where the spare tire is stored while not in use In most cars the spare tire is secured with a bolt and wing nut style fastener Usually a stiff sheet of cardboard lies on top of the spare tire well with the trunk carpet on top of it to hide the spare tire and provide a pleasant look to and a flat surface for the trunk space Other storage locations include a cradle underneath the rear of the vehicle This cradle is usually secured by a bolt that is accessible from inside the trunk for security This arrangement has advantages over storing the tire inside the trunk including not having to empty the contents of the trunk to access the wheel and this arrangement may also save space in some applications However it has disadvantages because that tire gets dirty making the act of changing the tire more unpleasant and the mechanism may also rust on older cars making it difficult to free the spare The cradle arrangement is usually only practical on front wheel drive cars as the cradle would get in the way of the rear axle on most rear or four wheel drive cars A similar arrangement is also often found on trucks where the spare is often stored beneath the truck bed Many sport utility vehicles SUVs and off road vehicles have the spare wheel mounted externally usually on the rear door but others may mount them on the roof the side or even on the bonnet hood In mid engined and rear engined cars the spare tire is generally stored in the front boot Some vehicles stored the spare tire in the engine bay such as the Renault 14 First generation Fiat Panda and older Subaru vehicles such as the Subaru Leone Vehicles like the Volkswagen Beetle used spare tires for ancillary purposes such as supplying air pressure to the windscreen washer system Many models of Bristol cars those from the 404 of 1953 to the Fighter of 2004 carried a full size spare wheel and tire in a pannier compartment built into the left hand wing This not only increased luggage space and allowed easy access to the spare without having to unload the trunk but improved weight distribution by keeping as much mass as possible within the wheelbase and balancing the weight of the battery mounted in a similar compartment in the right hand wing See also EditSpare wheel cover Continental tire Flat tire Whitewall tireReferences Edit a b OED Online main entry text frame Bl uk Retrieved 24 July 2014 Toyota Corolla 2016 Page 529 The compact spare tire is identified by the label TEMPORARY USE ONLY on the tire sidewall Use the compact spare tire temporarily and only in an emergency Toyota Corolla 2016 Page 530 Do not drive at speeds in excess of 50 mph 80 km h when a compact spare tire is installed on the vehicle The compact spare tire is not designed for driving at high speeds Failure to observe this precaution may lead to an accident causing death or serious injury How Long Can You Really Use Your Spare Tire popularmechanics com 29 March 2012 Retrieved 12 April 2018 Parc Howard Museum Stepney Spare wheel made for early cars BBC Retrieved 24 July 2014 World Wide Words Stepney World Wide Words Retrieved 2021 09 23 Hyde Charles K 2009 Storied independent automakers Nash Hudson and American Motors Wayne State University Press p 12 ISBN 978 0 8143 3446 1 Retrieved 24 July 2014 The 1909 Rambler Spare Wheel advertisement Western Medical Review Nebraska State Medical Association 13 12 xiv December 1908 Retrieved 24 July 2014 Egan Charles E 3 April 1951 Ban on Spare Tire Made Mandatory U S Adopts Voluntary Action of Auto Producers Rubber Goes to Heavier Duty The New York Times Holas Igor 12 September 2007 Spare Tire Is History Zimbio Archived from the original on 27 September 2012 Retrieved 24 July 2014 Compact spare tire ready for debut with 78 models Spokesman Review Spokane Washington Associated Press June 12 1977 p B20 Spare Tires in New Cars What You Need to Know 10 May 2011 Space savers TUSTs RACV Retrieved 24 July 2014 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Automobile spare wheels Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Spare tire amp oldid 1119985244, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
