Letters: Readers give their solutions to the problem of hybrid cars and spare wheels in France

To the Editor,

In December 2023 I bought a Ford KUGA Hybrid All Wheel Drive (FHEV) ST Line Business model.

I specified that I wanted a 3 year Warranty Extension and a Spare Wheel.

The spare wheel fits under the boot floor and there is plenty of room for the storage of all kinds of items like Emergency Triangle, First Aid Kit, Jack, Mini Compressor and Waterproof Cape for kneeling on in the wet. 

This is the second Ford that I have owned with a spare wheel instead of the re-inflation kit. My last car, a KIA Niro Hybrid, had room for a spare wheel but I kept the inflation kit which I wish I had changed.

I don't think Dealers are too bothered about selling spare wheels but what happens if you cut the tyre wall? Your inflation kit wont work then!

Letters: How are hybrid cars supposed to carry a spare tyre in France?

Duncan Andrews, by email

To the Editor,

I have a Hyundai hybrid that was lacking a spare wheel from new, not even an option and just had the useless foam spray. 

I managed to find a used space saver kit on the Internet identical to what Hyundai used to supply. 

It gives us peace of mind when we are driving in France as the thought of being stranded with a flat non repairable wheel is not a pleasant thought!

John Gareth Jenkins, by email

To the Editor,

Best to check under the cover of the boot. 

I think most, if not all hybrids have a tube of sealant to seal a puncture and a mini compressor to reinflate the tyre. I accept that won’t help with a blowout though.

George Bishop, by email

To the Editor,

My previous C5 estate was a diesel, which did not have a spare wheel. My current car is a hybrid, no spare. 

But back in the 1980's I had a Citroen BX which had a full spare wheel underneath the boot. 

Big drop in state aid for electric cars in France: what is still available?

I don't understand why all manufacturers don't do this. 

It means you do not have to empty the the boot to get at the spare, just lower the cradle down and change the wheel. 

This is something all cars could have. It just needs some minor design changes. 

Part of the reason there is not a spare is that the manufacturers save money.

Martin Lacey, by email

To the Editor,

I have an electric car and a plug-in-hybrid car. 

Neither came with a spare wheel as standard, but I was able to order spare wheels and changing tools for both. 

There is no official space to stow the wheel (the battery takes the space) but it is easily possible to put the it in the boot, a little compromise of boot space is repaid by the peace of mind that one can survive a puncture - the blow-up kits supplied with the vehicles are useless except for very minor punctures.

Graham Masters, by email

To the Editor,

I had a puncture in the front near-side tyre of my hybrid car towards the end of our stay in Châtel, Haute Savoie last August.

Like many modern cars, not just hybrids, mine does not carry a spare tyre.

It does have a pressurised tube of gunk that apparently fills the tyre, enabling you to get to a garage. I didn’t want to use this, as the tyre then has to be replaced.

I was put in touch with the nearest breakdown garage, who told me they could temporarily repair the puncture by plugging it.

This seemed a good option, because the repair could get me home where I could get a more permanent repair.

The tow-truck driver arrived quite quickly, but when I told him the distance to our home was more than 1100km, he advised me not to risk it, but to buy a new tyre before leaving.

The hole was quickly plugged, and I managed to have a new tyre fitted locally for about the same total cost as at home.

Michael Scott, by email

Have you faced the problem of a blowout without a spare wheel in France? How did you handle the situation? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com