by admin | Oct 30, 2026 | Spares, Punctures and Roadside
Quick answer: Usually yes — many Australian cars can carry a full-size spare instead of their space-saver, and it removes the 80km/h speed limit. The catches are physical fit in the boot well, matching the spare’s diameter, load and speed rating to your car,...
by admin | Oct 30, 2026 | Spares, Punctures and Roadside
Quick answer: A space-saver spare in Australia is a temporary, get-you-home tyre. Most are limited to 80km/h and only a few hundred kilometres. Fit it to a non-driven axle where you can, keep it inflated to the higher pressure marked on it (often around 420 kPa), and...
by admin | Oct 30, 2026 | Rotation, Alignment and Balancing
Quick answer: Usually no. A staggered setup runs wider tyres on the rear than the front, so they can’t be swapped front-to-back. Non-directional staggered tyres can sometimes be moved side-to-side on the same axle; directional staggered tyres can’t be...
by admin | Oct 30, 2026 | Rotation, Alignment and Balancing
Quick answer: Yes — directional tyres can be rotated, but only front-to-back on the same side of the car, so the direction arrow keeps pointing forward. They must never be crossed to the other side unless they are dismounted and reversed on the rim, which is...
by admin | Oct 30, 2026 | Rotation, Alignment and Balancing
Quick answer: As a guide, rotate your tyres every 5,000 to 10,000km, or every six months, whichever comes first — and the easiest way to remember is to tie it to each logbook service. Always check your owner’s handbook, as it takes priority, and shorten...
by admin | Oct 30, 2026 | Rotation, Alignment and Balancing
Quick answer: The correct tyre rotation pattern depends on your drivetrain. Front-wheel-drive cars use the rearward cross (fronts go straight back, rears cross to the front). Rear and all-wheel-drive use the forward cross (rears go straight forward, fronts cross to...
by admin | Oct 30, 2026 | Spares, Punctures and Roadside
Which Australian New Cars Still Come With a Full-Size Spare? TL;DR: In 2026 a full-size spare is mostly a ute and 4WD feature. Dual-cab utes and body-on-frame 4WDs usually carry one; many passenger SUVs, sedans and hatches now ship with a space-saver; and a growing...
by admin | Oct 30, 2026 | Spares, Punctures and Roadside
Puncture-Proof and Airless Tyres: Where the Technology Actually Is TL;DR: Truly “puncture-proof” airless tyres such as Michelin’s Uptis remain prototypes in 2026, aimed first at fleets and low-speed mobility, not mainstream passenger cars. What you...
by admin | Oct 30, 2026 | Spares, Punctures and Roadside
How Old Is Too Old for an Unused Spare Tyre? TL;DR: A spare ages even if it is never used. Rubber hardens and cracks with time, heat and UV regardless of tread. As a guide, start inspecting a spare yearly from about five years old and plan to replace it around ten...
by admin | Oct 30, 2026 | Spares, Punctures and Roadside
Spare Tyre Pressure: The Number Everyone Forgets TL;DR: Check your spare at the same time as your other tyres. A full-size spare runs the placard pressure for the axle it will go on. A space-saver needs a much higher pressure — usually around 420 kPa...