LTB 392/24 – Guidance Regarding Space Saver Wheel – When Fitted to a Royal Mail Vehicle
No. 392/24
13 December 2024
Dear Colleagues,
Guidance Regarding Space Saver Wheel – When Fitted to a Royal Mail Vehicle
The purpose of this LTB is to offer guidance in respect to use of any vehicle which has had ‘Space Saver wheels’ fitted by third party breakdown agents and follows a number of enquiries and reports received into the Outdoor Department.
Branches and Representatives will be aware that Royal Mail uses a number of different breakdown agencies in terms of both on and off-site vehicle repairs including the replacing of tyres. Accordingly, we have been made aware that in some cases these agencies have been carrying out replacement of wheels on the LCV fleet with Space Saver wheels. These wheels are often smaller in size, lighter, and narrower than a standard wheel.
These space saver wheels are provided on many modern cars but ONLY as an emergency wheel to get you to a garage, home or to your destination. If a Space Saver wheel is fitted during a breakdown by a third-party agent, it is done so as a temporary measure which should be replaced at the earliest opportunity as the height of your tyre’s sidewall as a percentage of its width (aspect ratio) must be the same for both tyres on the same axle.
Whilst the vehicle will fail the MOT if mismatched tyres are fitted, the law only makes an exception for temporary use where spare wheels are fitted in an emergency. In such circumstances, Drivers are therefore advised to complete and submit a PMT1 Fault Report requesting a wheel replacement immediately upon return to their Office or at the end of their duty whichever is soonest.
The Royal Mail Fleet Business Partner has confirmed this understanding and will also be issuing the following advice to all Delivery Offices which is in line with the advice set out in this LTB from the Department: –
Space saver wheels are only designed for a temporary repair.
If a space saver wheel has to be fitted at roadside, you must take the following actions:
- Complete a PMT1 for a new wheel to be fitted as soon as the vehicle returns to the office
- Call Fleet One Number on 0345 266 0005, option 4 for tyres to speak to our tyre breakdown partner NFS, who will either direct you to a local drop-in or book you into a workshop via red fleet booking
I hope the above clarification now outlined is of direct and ongoing use, however, any enquiries to the content of this LTB should be directed to the Outdoor Department reference 300, email address: Pharacz@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely,
Tony Bouch
Assistant Secretary
LTB 392/24 – Guidance Regarding Space Saver Wheel – When Fitted to a Royal Mail Vehicle