Do Audis Have Spare Tires?

Audis are some of the most popular luxury cars on the road today. They’re known for their style, performance, and comfort. But what happens when disaster strikes and your Audi gets a puncture?

In days gone by it would have been a simple matter of changing the tire for the full-size spare and continuing on your journey, but nowadays things are a bit more complicated.

So, do Audis have spare tires?

Audis come with a collapsible spare wheel and tire as standard, which is located under the floor of the trunk. This means that if you get a puncture, you can inflate the spare tire and change the wheel yourself without having to call a tow truck.

So Audi has followed the lead of other car manufacturers by looking for alternatives to the traditional full-size spare tire, but what other alternatives does Audi offer, and what can you do if your Audi gets a puncture?

Why did Audi choose to discontinue the full-size spare tire?

Audi decided to discontinue the full-size spare tire in order to save weight and space. The traditional spare tire takes up a lot of room in the trunk, and it can be quite heavy. By getting rid of the spare, Audi was able to save at least 30 lbs of weight per vehicle.

That might not seem like a lot, but when you consider that many Audi cars are already on the heavier side, every little bit counts. In addition, the absence of a full-size spare tire frees up some space in the trunk, which can be used for storage or to house other features.

Saving weight also improves fuel economy and performance, so it’s a win-win for Audi.

What spare tire alternatives does Audi offer?

Audi offers three main alternatives to the traditional spare tire: run-flat tires, a tire repair kit, and a collapsible spare wheel.

Run-flat tires are designed to keep working even after they’ve been punctured. They’re made with reinforced sidewalls that prevent the tire from collapsing.

This means you can still drive on a punctured tire, albeit at a reduced speed, until you can get to a service station.

Audi also offers a tire repair kit as an alternative to a spare tire. This kit includes everything you need to fix a flat tire, such as a compressor, sealant, and adhesive patches.

The kit is designed to be used temporarily until you can get your car to a service station. It’s not a perfect solution, but it can get you out of a bind in a pinch.

The third alternative, and most preferable option in our opinion, is the collapsible spare wheel. It’s otherwise known as an ‘expandible’ or ‘space saver’ spare tire.

Audi collapsible spare wheel

The collapsible spare wheel option isn’t available on all Audi models, but it is still a common feature on many modern Audis.

It’s a small, lightweight spare wheel that remains deflated when not in use.

This spare takes up very little space and doesn’t add as much weight to the car as a regular spare tire, making it a good option for those who want a backup plan but don’t want to sacrifice trunk space or performance.

Audis fitted with collapsible spare wheels will also come with an air compressor integrated into the trunk, so you can inflate the spare wheel wherever you happen to get a puncture.

The collapsible spare wheel isn’t a replacement for your regular wheel, and should only be used in emergencies. As soon as it’s viable to get the regular tire replaced, you should do so.

The collapsible spare wheel is a good middle ground between the full-size spare and the tire repair kit.

How long can you drive on an Audi spare tire?

The furthest you should drive on an Audi spare tire is 50 miles, and you shouldn’t do more than 50 mph. Get the spare changed for a full-size tire as quickly as possible.

Audi’s collapsible spare wheels aren’t designed to be used for long distances, so you should head for the nearest tire service station as soon as possible to get your full-size tire replaced.

It’s a similar story if you’re driving on a tire that’s been repaired using Audi’s puncture repair kit. You should only drive for a short distance until you can get the proper tire replaced.

It’s not ideal, but it’s better than being stranded on the side of the road.

Audi spare tire location

Audi spare tires are located in the trunk, under the floor. There will be a space in the trunk specifically for the spare, and it will be secured to the car so that it doesn’t become a projectile in the case of an accident.

To access it, lift up the mat, undo the screw in the center of the tire that keeps it secure, and then it can be lifted out.

If your Audi has an air compressor for its collabsible spare, it will also be located alongside the spare. It’s often integrated into the side wall of the trunk, and can be popped out for use.

Do any Audis have full-size spare tires?

Some older Audis do have full-size spare tires, but most modern models have either a run-flat tire, a tire repair kit, or a collapsible spare.

Full-size spare tires were once commonplace in the Audi line-up, but in the early 2000s they started to be phased out. Our 2004 Audi TT was one of the first Audis to not come with a spare tire, for example.

There are still a few relatively recent models that come with full-size spares, but they’re becoming increasingly rare.

If you’re looking for a car that comes with a full-size spare, your best bet is an older Audi model.

Can you add a full-size spare tire to your Audi?

You can’t simply put a full-size tire into the trunk of your car if there is no space designed to hold it.

It’s incredibly dangerous to have a weighty, loose object rattling around in the trunk of a car, especially when travelling at high speeds.

The spare tire location in modern Audis is designed for a smaller, lighter tire, so it’s highly unlikely that a full-size spare tire would fit.

Final thoughts

Audi’s line-up used to be dominated by cars with full-size spare tires, but that’s no longer the case. Most modern Audis come with either run-flat tires, a tire repair kit, or a collapsible spare.

The collapsible spare is a good middle ground between the full-size spare and the tire repair kit. It’s not as bulky as a full-size spare, and it doesn’t require any special equipment or training to use. Just use the air compressor that is also supplied.

It’s not only Audis that have forgoed the full-size spare in recent years. Many other carmakers, such as BMW, have made the switch, in the interests of saving weight and space.

Run flat tires are often associated with a poor quality ride, and once they’re punctured they will eventually need to be replaced anyway.

Audi’s tire mobility kit can be fiddly, and if you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere it’s not exactly going to be a fun experience.

For this reason, we’d always look for an Audi with a collapsible spare wheel. It’s not as good as having a full-size spare, but it’s better than being stranded on the side of the road.