Well, just discovered that I don't have a spare tire at the back of my car, but there is a hole which suggests where a spare tire should be zzzzzzzzz Is it just me who doesn't have a spare tire or have I got ripped off by the 2nd hand seller?
Does Everyone Have a Spare Tire in the Trunk?
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trickmaster
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As I understand it - Audi put a spare-wheel cut-out in the TT at the design stage as it was assumed that a space-saver would be standard. However, crash tests showed that no matter how the space-saver was held in, it still created a danger. Because Audi was now aware of the danger, they could not offer a spare otherwise they would lose every court case.
Yes, if you put a spare wheel, or luggage in the boot, or carry a loose anvil, then that is a danger too - but then you did that, not Audi.
In another thread, perhaps the one that's now missing, the question of the circumference of the spare was discussed. Obviously, if you have 20" wheels and a 16" spare, you are going to get problems with the differential - more so with quattro versions - as the car, even on a straight road, will believe that it is going round in tight circles.
As there is the possibility of 17", 18",19" and 20" wheels - for safety and engineering purposes the SSST might have to be offered in a range of sizes,
The circumference of the wheel/tyre assembly is not obvious - an 18" SS tyre will have a deeper wall than the low-profile fitted to 19/20" wheels and the circumference of the18" SS may not be that much different. (I seem to remember that a 5 stud Jaguar 18" SSST was all but the same as a 19 x 255 x 35 - I think the same applies to a golf SSST but I wouldn't swear to it.
On FWD models, if the spare is on the back, it doesn't matter what the circumference is (although braking on that axle may be affected.) Thus the solution here is to carry a SSspare that fits in the well and if the puncture is at the front, swap the puncture with a good rear tyre and place the SS spare on the rear.
Yes, if you put a spare wheel, or luggage in the boot, or carry a loose anvil, then that is a danger too - but then you did that, not Audi.
In another thread, perhaps the one that's now missing, the question of the circumference of the spare was discussed. Obviously, if you have 20" wheels and a 16" spare, you are going to get problems with the differential - more so with quattro versions - as the car, even on a straight road, will believe that it is going round in tight circles.
As there is the possibility of 17", 18",19" and 20" wheels - for safety and engineering purposes the SSST might have to be offered in a range of sizes,
The circumference of the wheel/tyre assembly is not obvious - an 18" SS tyre will have a deeper wall than the low-profile fitted to 19/20" wheels and the circumference of the18" SS may not be that much different. (I seem to remember that a 5 stud Jaguar 18" SSST was all but the same as a 19 x 255 x 35 - I think the same applies to a golf SSST but I wouldn't swear to it.
On FWD models, if the spare is on the back, it doesn't matter what the circumference is (although braking on that axle may be affected.) Thus the solution here is to carry a SSspare that fits in the well and if the puncture is at the front, swap the puncture with a good rear tyre and place the SS spare on the rear.
my 2001 TT does have a space saver spare + i used it last summer for 20 miles!! it is surely OE from 2001 as it was a real PITA to get out but i always check the air pressure on it knowing it was there, it looked good with no cracks BUT being over 20 YO i am thinking i should replace it even though it life was in my trunk + mostly in my garage since my purchase 10 years ago, but from arizona when new + surely pampered with only 37,xxx car fax miles in 2011-12. glad to have a mountable spare because the fix-a-flat kits dont always work!!
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I bought a MK5 Golf space saver and test fitted on my front wheels with the large calipoers (2007 V6). I re-arranged my boot space to allow for a few extra goodies under spare including bottle jack, wedges & some tools. I travel alot of roads though the mountains where help is out of reach and getting a replacement tyre 2-3 days away at best. As far as securing the wheel I used a Rivnut with threaded rod and a metal wing.
![Image]()
More information here in the Knowledge Base.
The question you have to ask yourself is even if you you use a space saver wheel, where to you plan on putting the full sized wheel since it obviously won't fit in the boot/trunk, especially when miles from home on holiday with the car packed with luggage? Bad enough for a Coupe, but impossible for a Roadster.
An alternate solution is to carry a puncture kit which will at least get you to a tire shop who can do a proper repair. You can buy them on eBay, Amazon or your local auto parts store. While not suitable for all situations, it should be adequate for the odd nail or screw you might pick up which is the major cause of flats.
![Image]()
The question you have to ask yourself is even if you you use a space saver wheel, where to you plan on putting the full sized wheel since it obviously won't fit in the boot/trunk, especially when miles from home on holiday with the car packed with luggage? Bad enough for a Coupe, but impossible for a Roadster.
An alternate solution is to carry a puncture kit which will at least get you to a tire shop who can do a proper repair. You can buy them on eBay, Amazon or your local auto parts store. While not suitable for all situations, it should be adequate for the odd nail or screw you might pick up which is the major cause of flats.
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Good advice Swiss. I also carry a basic puncture repair kit and Audi compressor. Another theory is to catch tyre failure before additional damage occurred by monitor tyre pressures remotely. I like using an active (direct) TPMS system with sensors screwed into valve stem. Nice to check pressures on a daily basis even by casual users including wife & kids.
![Image]()
@ TTTony - That's handy! Does it have a part number?
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5,608 Posts
Funny story about the cover-all/smock thing. So back when we were kids, my dad would carry all sorts of emergency stuff in the trunk of the car. He used to have these few-use/temporary white zip up smocks (which he called cover-alls) that he'd keep in the car. He'd have them wrapped up in clear bags with tape around them...if you can't see where this is going think border crossing 🤣
One day, sure enough we're crossing the border and get pulled for inspection. The border agent, she's rummaging around the trunk and pulls out one of these packages containing the coverall and has a surprised look on her face turns to my dad and says, "what's this??!" So my dad answers calmly not realising the implication, "oh it's just a coverall" to which she thinks he's saying cover up! LOL!
Essentially she thought it was coke/drugs in there 😂 and starts cutting the pack open to see what's inside. My dad starts explaining, "you know if you are going to a party and have a suit on and breakdown and need to change a tyre..." And the guard gets into the package and feels it's a fabric material, breathes a sign of relief, and lets out a chuckle. She's like, "sir, I was about to have you in cuffs" 😄
One day, sure enough we're crossing the border and get pulled for inspection. The border agent, she's rummaging around the trunk and pulls out one of these packages containing the coverall and has a surprised look on her face turns to my dad and says, "what's this??!" So my dad answers calmly not realising the implication, "oh it's just a coverall" to which she thinks he's saying cover up! LOL!
Essentially she thought it was coke/drugs in there 😂 and starts cutting the pack open to see what's inside. My dad starts explaining, "you know if you are going to a party and have a suit on and breakdown and need to change a tyre..." And the guard gets into the package and feels it's a fabric material, breathes a sign of relief, and lets out a chuckle. She's like, "sir, I was about to have you in cuffs" 😄
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No part number, it was a gift from my local Audi dealer.
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