Hi, everyone. This is my first car I have ever owned that does not have a spare wheel. I was wondering what other peoples thoughts are on this. I don't have a lot of confidence in the gel that is supplied with the car. I was thinking of buying one of these. https://www.thewheelshop.co.uk/vehicle-year-2017-present-day/diameter-3f-17/?product_cat=skoda-karoq&filter_vehicle-year=2017-present-day&searched=true Has anyone else used this company? I will be driving down to Northern Spain in August and would feel a bit more chilled with one of these in the boot.

Regards,

Mick.

Welcome to the forum.

Agree with your feelings about not having a spare - I specified a full-size spare (16") when I bought my wagon 11 years ago.

I've never been comfortable driving without a spare, even though I've only ever had to fit one on a very few occasions in more than 60 years of driving!

Space-saver will be fine, I assume you have 17s as standard.

The sealant 'gunk' doesn't always work, certainly won't with much more than a very small puncture - and more than a few tyre fitters have told me that they won't repair and refit a tyre that's had it used on - so very likely you will have to write-off a tyre for a repairable puncture!

The Gel is only any good for a slow puncture, it’s a limp you home measure. Many tyre fitting companies will not repair a tyre that’s had the Gel or some other temp solution injected. Remember a Space saver should not be used on the front axle - so use the space saver on the back and put the good back wheel on the front. The TPMS will alert you to a low pressure but unless it’s a pressure monitoring valve it will only alert after the pressure has dropped by around 10 psi. If you have the Gel then you have a pump so you can often do a pump and go sequence.

3 minutes ago, thamestrader said:

Remember a Space saver should not be used on the front axle

I did not know that, good to know thanks! Is there a specific reason for that?

Mick.

11 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Welcome to the forum.

Thankyou.

The reason for not mixing wheel sizes (E.g.) space-saver) is because there can be a differential issue if the rolling circumference is different by more than a certain amount on the drive axle.

If driving long distance I'd want a full size spare. No idea why but neither the wheel width nor tyre profile are specified on that 17". Possibly also worth mentioning that Skoda don't offer a 17" space-saver, only 16 & 18", so there could be an insurance issue using one.

Best bet would be to find a same size wheel, both diameter & width, as fitted to the car, as that takes some of the pressure off of finding an immediate replacement should you get a puncture. One thing to note is that a full width wheel will eat into boot space.

1 hour ago, Rbz5416 said:

If driving long distance I'd want a full size spare. No idea why but neither the wheel width nor tyre profile are specified on that 17". Possibly also worth mentioning that Skoda don't offer a 17" space-saver, only 16 & 18", so there could be an insurance issue using one.

Best bet would be to find a same size wheel, both diameter & width, as fitted to the car, as that takes some of the pressure off of finding an immediate replacement should you get a puncture. One thing to note is that a full width wheel will eat into boot space.

Thanks for the reply Rbz5416. I agree about the full size spare however my way of thinking is I would like to be in a position where I could change the wheel and get off of a motorway or remote location for safety with family in the car to a tyre centre or even a hotel.

12 hours ago, Mick9879 said:

Thanks for the reply Rbz5416. I agree about the full size spare however my way of thinking is I would like to be in a position where I could change the wheel and get off of a motorway or remote location for safety with family in the car to a tyre centre or even a hotel.

...And apparently, sometimes a full-size spare just will not fit the wheel well due to diameter and profile, particularly when inflated.

15 hours ago, Mick9879 said:

I did not know that, good to know thanks! Is there a specific reason for that?

Mick.

Thankyou.

Remember that it is a 'should' not a 'must not'' In certain circumstances it would be far more dangerous to have to jack the car up twice to do the switch from rear to front, not to mention the physical effort, than it would be to drive with the space saver on the front. You just need to drive appropriately as there may be less grip.

My 2024 Karoq SEL has the 'full size' spare - actually a 215/60-16 tyre on a steel wheel. It does raise the boot floor quite a bit. If you also have the Varioflex rear seats then tipping them forwards, or removing them completely, leaves a large step.

This spare could be used to replace a punctured front wheel as it is within 1.2% of the same circumference as the standard 215/50-18. A 215/55-17 is even closer at 0.6% difference.

Thus is the factory fit Space Saver spare, fitting kit and tools in my 4x4 Sportline. It’s a shallow wheel well due to different rear suspension and rear axle. 2wd Karoqs may have a lower boot floor. It’s a 125/70 R18 tyre. The boot floor it’s on the polystyrene and is approximately 1 inch below the opening.

Driving down to Spain. Are you aware that it is illegal to change a wheel on French motion. If you get a puncture on a French motorway (autoroute), do not attempt to change the tyre yourself on the hard shoulder, as it is extremely dangerous and illegal to do so. Instead, follow the official ASFA Safety Advice to pull over, evacuate safely behind the barrier, and call for authorized towing assistance via an orange SOS box or by dialing 112.

Immediate Safety Steps

• Pull over safely: Move your car as far to the right onto the hard shoulder as possible and turn on your hazard warning lights.

• Gear up: Put on your high-visibility safety vest before stepping out of the vehicle (required by French law for all occupants).

• Evacuate the car: Have all passengers exit via the right-hand side (away from traffic) and climb over the safety barrier.

• Set up a warning triangle: Place the warning triangle about 30 to 100 meters behind the vehicle only if you can do so safely without exposing yourself to traffic.

Calling for Help

• Use SOS phones: Walk behind the safety barrier to the nearest orange emergency SOS phone box (placed every 2 km). This automatically connects you to the motorway operating company's control center.

• Call 112: If using a mobile phone, dial 112 or use the SOS Autoroute app if downloaded beforehand.

• Official recovery only: Under French law, private or insurance-dispatched recovery trucks are not allowed onto the motorway hard shoulder. You must use the official towed rescue dispatched via the orange phones or 112, which operates on a fixed government-regulated tow fee. They will tow your vehicle to a nearby safe area (aire) or off the motorway exit, where you can then contact your insurance or a mobile service like Emergency Tyre France for a replacement.

If you'd like, share:

• Your exact location or route number (e.g., AP-7 / A9 border area)

• Whether you have a usable spare tyre or tire sea

I bought a space saver spare wheel from the Wheel Shop when I got my Karoq with 17" wheels. I was confused over which size spare to buy so rang them. They advised me to buy the 18" space saver which I did. I have used it a couple of times without any problems. I am changing my car tomorrow for another Karoq which has 18" wheels and intend putting the 18" spare I bought from the Wheel Shop in that car. Anything bigger than 18" will not fit in the wheel well nor will a full size spare without lifting the boot floor higher. You don't get the foam surround for the various tools but they fit neatly into the fabric bag supplied. This fits into one of the storage compartments in the boot. I found the Wheel Shop good to deal with and helpful. Hope this helps.

On 26/07/2026 at 13:41, nbramwel said:

They advised me to buy the 18" space saver

I wish I had rang them for their advice, I went with the 17" wheel and the circumference is way smaller than my 17" wheels. I will definitely only be putting it on the rear.

21 minutes ago, Mick9879 said:

the circumference is way smaller than my 17"

What profile tyre is fitted?

56 minutes ago, Rbz5416 said:

What profile tyre is fitted?

135/80 17

On 25/07/2026 at 16:47, Mick9879 said:

I will be driving down to Northern Spain in August

I went London - Gdansk last year and what I learnt. Wheel must be quickly accesible in the boot. Not under floor and luggage. Good to have thick playwood (on the soft surface when jack is sinking) When sticker says 3 bar under heavy load pump it to 3 bar kokosal. Dont be affraid the tyre will blow. The worst is overheating sidewall at low pressure 2 bar and then blow. Torch or LED lamp on the legs is must have. I bought normal factory alu wheel and same size tyre fo 60 pounds and another steel for 40 pounds. New tyre 205/55 16 was 60 pounds.

buy normal size wheel.