No one likes the idea of being stranded because they get a flat tire. Having a spare in the vehicle is always a good idea. Those who do not already have a spare should consider investing in one, just so they have more peace of mind when they are driving.
What Type of Tire Is Your Spare?
In most vehicles that you buy today, the spare tire in the trunk of the vehicle isn’t actually a spare – it’s a temporary tire, also called a donut. The purpose of this type of spare is to get you home or to the mechanic’s shop so they can replace it with a real tire. However, you may want to consider switching out your donut for an actual spare tire at some point, as long as it will fit in the trunk.
How Fast Should You Drive on the Spare?
When you are driving on the temporary spare tire, you need to keep your speed down. It’s not a full tire, and it is not meant to be driven as one. You will want to keep your speed to 50 MPH or below. Since you can’t go above 50, this means that you cannot drive on the highway with it.
How Long Can You Use the Temporary Spare Tire?
You should only use the temporary spare tire for emergencies. If you use the spare tire for too long, there is a good chance it will end up flat. In fact, you should only use the spare to drive for about 50 miles at most. However, before you use the spare, check with your manufacturer to see the recommended mileage – it could be more or less.
What Is the Correct Air Pressure?
You will want to check the manual to find the correct pressure for your spare tire. In most cases, it should be inflated at 60 psi. It’s a good idea to check the pressure in your tire on occasion, just so you do not try to use it one day only to find out that it doesn’t have enough tire pressure.
Make sure you have a spare that’s always ready to go so you aren’t stranded in the middle of nowhere. You can contact YourMechanic with questions regarding or help with the installation of a spare tire.
