The quick answer
Check the vehicle’s actual spare provision against its handbook: condition, pressure, restrictions, kit contents and any sealant expiry. Keep the correct locking key accessible. Having equipment does not mean a roadside wheel change is safe or appropriate.
Find out what the vehicle actually carries
Look in the handbook and the designated storage area. A vehicle may have a full-size spare, a temporary space-saver, a sealant kit or a different arrangement. Do not infer this from the model name, particularly on a used vehicle where equipment may have been removed.
Make a short inventory while parked safely. If an item is missing, identify the correct replacement through the vehicle information rather than buying a generic kit and assuming it will suit the car.
Assess the stored tyre
Record the spare’s size, type and visible condition. Look for damage or ageing concerns where accessible without unsafe lifting or reaching. Have condition doubts assessed professionally; an unused appearance is not proof that the tyre is ready to carry a vehicle.
Michelin describes spare types and their restrictions. Compare the actual spare with the vehicle’s intended arrangement. A wheel that fits inside the storage well does not establish that it is an approved spare.
Use the correct spare pressure
Check the handbook’s specific value for the spare. A temporary spare may require a different setting from the fitted tyres. Keep the units and measurement conditions with the reading, and arrange appropriate attention if it will not maintain its required pressure.
Do not simply apply the front or rear road-tyre setting. If access requires moving a heavy wheel or working underneath the vehicle, use an appropriate safe arrangement rather than turning a pre-journey check into an improvised lifting job.
Check the kit rather than only the wheel
- The correct locking wheel key, if required.
- Vehicle-specific equipment listed in the handbook.
- Instructions that are available and readable.
- Sealant type and expiry, where supplied.
- Breakdown and tyre-provider contact information.
A kit can be incomplete even when its bag is present. Confirm what is missing before the journey. Keep the key where an authorised fitter can find it without emptying the entire loaded vehicle.
Know the restrictions in advance
Read the limits and permitted use for a temporary spare or mobility kit before you need it. Do not treat a space-saver as a permanent replacement or assume sealant is suitable for every puncture. See temporary spare use and sealant-kit limitations for the separate decisions.
If you share the vehicle, make sure other drivers know its provision too. A clear note with the vehicle records avoids everyone assuming that somebody else checked the equipment.
Separate preparedness from roadside safety
A motorway hard shoulder is not a suitable place to attempt a wheel change. Follow the motorway breakdown guidance and seek the appropriate help. A jack and spare in the boot do not make the location safe.
For a replacement enquiry, tell Fix My Tyre what spare provision exists, whether the tyre has been driven deflated and where the vehicle is. We confirm the replacement requirement and suitable working access before agreeing attendance.
Common questions
Does an unused spare last indefinitely?
No. Condition, age, pressure and the manufacturer’s advice still matter.
Should a space-saver use the same pressure as the fitted tyres?
Use the specific spare setting in the handbook, which may differ.
Should I change a wheel on a motorway if I have the kit?
Do not attempt that roadside wheel change. Follow the official breakdown guidance and arrange suitable assistance.
Sources and further reading
Guidance checked on 11 October 2026. Use the current official instructions for your vehicle and circumstances.