How Far Can You Drive On A Spare Tire? Is It Safe?
Once, I was in a little pickle, literally on the side of the road with my RAV4 Limited punctured tire. Scary to be in that situation, and the first thing on my mind is, how far can you drive on a spare tire? I always go online when I am stuck in any situation and again do the same.
While reading through some resources, I realized that most spare tires-today known as ‘donuts’-are intended to get you to the nearest repair shop but should not be driven any more than 50 to 70 miles at speeds not over 50 mph.
The primary realization was needed for my safety and durability of my car. After having carefully changed my flat tire to the spare, mixed feelings of relief and apprehension couldn’t help but well up within me.
The spare tire felt and looked so much smaller compared to my usual tire that I was all the more aware of just how far I could go safely.
Driving on a spare taught me a lot about being prepared and taking precautions. Sometimes, it is not about how far one goes but how safely he gets there.
Therefore, if ever you ask yourself, what will you gonna do in same situation? If not, let me explain a bit in detail.
What Is a Spare Tire? and Types of Spare Tires
A spare tire is usually an extra emergency tire that comes with most vehicles; the tire is normally used only temporarily when the primary tire of a vehicle goes flat or gets damaged.
The purpose of a spare tire is to get you to a repair shop or a tire replacement facility safely, not to literally leave you stranded on the side of the road.
Spare tires offer relief in times of emergencies but are not designed to permanently replace regular tires because of specific limitations in their design.
They are for temporary use only, and that too when you need them to drive carefully to the nearest repair shop.
Different Types of Spare Tire:
Full-size spare tire:
A tire that is of the same size, tread, and performance as the regular tires on the vehicle. It can be used permanently in place of a flat tire, as it allows exactly the same level of performance and safety that the original tires do.
However, it takes up more space in storage and increases car weight more.
Temporary Full-size Spare Tire:
The name signifies that it is actually full-size, similar to the other normal tires in diameter, but with a different build and lighter in weight in order to be cheap.
It should be used only temporarily and should be replaced by a proper tire as soon as possible.
Compact Temporary Spare Tire (“Donut”):
The most common style of spare tire found on today’s vehicles is the compact temporary spare, or “donut.” This spare tire is smaller and lighter compared to regular tires.
It should only be used for short usage-up to 50 to 70 miles at up to 50 mph-to get you safely to a repair facility.
Folding Temporary Spare:
This spare may be folded when not in use and inflated when needed. Much rarer, these spares are usually found in higher-end cars or those with minimal storage room.
Although this can be quite convenient, again it is designed only for temporary use.
Can I Drive on A Spare Tire?
Of course, yes, you can drive on a spare tire, but to do so safely, you need to know the limitations and guidelines. A spare tire is designed for temporary usage and with some particular restrictions.
Here’s what you need to know:
Distance: Spare tires, especially the compact “donut” type, are designed to support only short distances. Normally, you should not drive for more than 50 to 70 miles on a spare tire. The limited range is only to get you to safely to the nearest repair shop in order to have your damaged tire fixed or replaced.
Speed: Drive below 50 mph while running your vehicle on a spare tire. Driving at higher speeds above this will result in the loss of integrity of the tire and stability of your vehicle, increasing the risk of an accident.
Handling and Performance: The spare tires are much weaker and smaller in relation to the regular tires, which would raise some points on the ground performance and handling of your car. You may also feel differences in stability, braking, and other areas of control. It is best to drive cautiously, avoiding jerky maneuvers as well as rough roads whenever possible.
Loading and Tyre Pressure: Always check the air pressure of your spare tire before driving. The spare tires can become deflated with time, mostly if they have been kept for some time in storage. How to inflate it to the right pressure will be according to what your vehicle’s manual recommends. Also, avoid heavy loads since spare tires do not support heavier weights compared to normal tires.
Replacement: Spare tires are not designed to be driven on for an extended period of time. Replace the spare as soon as possible with a proper tire that matches the specifications of your other tires. Continuing to drive on a spare may cause uneven wear, and may cause long-term damage to your vehicle’s suspension or alignment.
After all, the spare tire is helpful when an accident occurs, but you have to use it in its limits and replace it with a normal one as soon as possible.
Is It Safe to Drive on A Spare Tire?
Yes, it’s okay to drive on the spare, but with some caveats. Spare tires-most particularly the compact “donut” varieties-are designed only to be temporary.
They are meant to get you to the nearest repair shop and no more than 50 to 70 miles, at no more than 50 mph. Other critical ways of ensuring safety include driving cautiously, avoiding heavy loads, and making sure to change the spare with a regular one as soon as possible.
Why Are Spares Called Donuts?
Spare tires are further nicknamed “donuts” due to their small, compact size and shape, resembling that of a large, round donut. As opposed to regular tires, donut spares are made lightweight and space-saving to easily fit in any trunk or undercarriage compartment.
On the other hand, due to their compact design, they have the drawback of smaller treads and less durability; due to the reduced diameter, they will only be useful during short-term, emergency usage at low speeds.
It is due to this that the nickname “donut” fits with its peculiar look and temporary function.
Full Size Spare Tire vs Donut Tire
A flat tire at any time can ruin a trip of any type. The spare tire becomes important, serving as a backup to keep one on the road.
Not all spares, however, are created equally regarding their level of reliability. Full-size spares and compact donut tires will be two major options, each with different features designed to affect how far and how safely one can drive.
Acknowledging their differences is key to making informed, safe decisions during an emergency.
Full-Size Spare Tire:
- Size and Specification: Equally sized, treaded, and performance-wise to the regular ones.
- Usage: It can be permanently used instead of the flattened tire.
- Performance: Same level of safety, handling, and stability as the rest of the tires.
- Convenience: One doesn’t have to go to the repair shop as soon as possible. He/She can drive just like usual.
- Storage: It takes a bit more space and also adds more pounds to the vehicle’s weight
Donut Tire
- Size and Specification: Smaller and lighter than regular tires, these are designed to save space.
- Usage: Temporary use, usually up to 50 to 70 miles at speeds not over 50 mph.
- Performance: Handling, stability, and braking are going to be exceedingly limited; drive carefully.
- Convenience: It gets you to the nearest repair shop, but a replacement should be done rather quickly.
- Storage: Compact for saving space and reducing vehicle weight.
How Much Is a Spare Tire? Costing Details
Adding a spare tire can run from very cheap to fairly expensive, depending upon the type and specifications of your vehicle. A temporary donut spare tire can range in cost from $50 to $150.
Since these tires are compact and their function is limited, they are much cheaper than a full-sized tire and are convenient for use in the short term.
On the other hand, a full-size spare tire has exactly the same size, tread, and performance of your regular tires. It can be quite expensive, from $100 to over $300, depending on the brand and quality of the tire.
A full-size spare tire provides exactly the same quality of safety and reliability as your regular tires do; it is therefore worth an investment that may pay off with time.
When buying a spare tire, it is not only about the price but rather what your vehicle will require, plus the driving conditions. A good spare tire means that you are well equipped to handle any eventuality on the road, something that gives you confidence in driving safely.
Prices also vary depending on the brand, region, and even the place you will buy the tire from-whether from a dealership, a tire shop, or online.
Here, we have presented price ranges of some renowned brand spare tires so that you can have some idea to proceed further:
| Brand | Donut Spare Price ($) | Full-Size Spare Price ($) | Built Material | Longevity (Miles) |
| Michelin | 150-200 | 250-300+ | Rubber, reinforced synthetic compounds | Donut: 50, Full: 40,000-60,000 |
| Continental | 100-180 | 250-320 | Eco-friendly rubber compound | Donut: 50, Full: 40,000-55,000 |
| Goodyear | 120-180 | 230-300 | Durable synthetic rubber | Donut: 50, Full: 45,000-60,000 |
| Bridgestone | 130-190 | 240-310 | Silica-enhanced rubber | Donut: 50, Full: 40,000-65,000 |
| BFGoodrich | 110-170 | 210-280 | High-strength rubber with carbon blend | Donut: 50, Full: 40,000-55,000 |
| Cooper | 90-150 | 190-270 | Natural and synthetic rubber blend | Donut: 50, Full: 35,000-50,000 |
| Hankook | 100-160 | 200-280 | High-performance synthetic rubber | Donut: 50, Full: 40,000-60,000 |
| Pirelli | 140-200 | 240-320 | Silica-based rubber compounds | Donut: 50, Full: 45,000-60,000 |
| Yokohama | 130-180 | 220-300 | Natural rubber with high tread density | Donut: 50, Full: 40,000-55,000 |
Do New Cars Come with Spare Tires?
Not every new car anymore comes with a new spare tire. In fact, about 30% of today’s new vehicles are delivered to owners without the spare tire, standard.
Instead, many manufacturers include either a tire inflator and sealant kit, or an invention called run-flat tires. It saves weight in the vehicle and can help improve fuel efficiency.
However, due to the load-carrying requirements of many cars, SUVs, and trucks, full-sized spare tires are still showing up in these vehicles. The shift away from the spare tire is significantly contributed to by the push of the automotive industry for improved fuel economy and lower emissions.
By eliminating the spare tire, automakers also eliminate some extra weight, allowing vehicles to run more efficiently. With the advance in tire technology, which allows run-flat tires and emergency tire repair kits, drivers now have other options that can temporarily keep them on the road without the need for a full-sized spare.
How Long Can You Drive on A Spare Tire?
The distance you can drive safely on a spare depends on the kind of spare you have. If your car is equipped with a compact spare, also known by many as a donut tire, it is intended only for limited usage in emergencies.
A donut tire could take one up to 50 miles with speed limits not over 50 mph. Thus, it may affect the handling of your vehicle and increase the risks of safety concerns on the road. It must not be driven beyond that distance or exceeding the speed.
A full-size spare is almost as close to the size and the performance you would find in a normal tire; therefore, this will be able to handle longer driving distances and normal highways or paved roads.
Even with a full-size spare, one should replace or repair the damaged tire at once in order to have balanced wear and handling.
How Fast Can You Drive on A Spare Tire?
The specific speed at which one could drive safely on a spare would have to do with the type of spare. Generally, these are compact spares, and speeds should not exceed 50 mph.
Such smaller tires are designed for only emergency, short-distance uses and lack the durability, traction, and stability of a full-size tire, making higher speeds unsafe.
A full-size spare resembles your regular tires a lot more and can often handle normal driving speeds.
Even with a full-size spare, however, it is best to avoid extended high-speed driving until you get the chance to replace it with a regular tire since mismatched tread or wear affects handling.
Can I Drive on A Spare Tire for A Week?
Ordinarily, driving a week with the spare on is not recommended, especially when it is a compact one, like a donut. Normally, a donut tire would be rated for something like 50 miles of use at a speed of 50 mph maximum.
You can expect that, over time, there will be excessive wear on a donut spare, lousy traction, and it even may affect your vehicle’s suspension or its braking system.
It is also safer to drive on a full-size spare for days, as it more closely matches the performance of the regular tire. However, even when a full-size spare is used, it is advisable to replace it with a regular tire soon.
Driving on any spare for an extended period can cause unbalanced wear on your tires and affect handling; best to have your original tire repaired or replaced promptly.
Can You Drive on The Highway with A Spare Tire?
Yes, you can drive on the highway with a spare tire, but you should still keep within the same speed limit restrictions-keep it under 50 mph.
It is not healthy to be driving too fast on a spare tire, so just keep in the right lane, turn on your hazard lights if you need to, and head to the nearest repair shop as soon as possible. It is always better to be safe and not spend a great deal of time driving on the highway with the spare on.
Can You Drive on The Freeway with A Spare Tire?
You can drive on the freeway with a spare tire just like you can on the highway, but you need to observe the same precautions: keep your speed less than 50 mph, stay in the right lane, and be safe.
Freeways usually have higher speed limits, and there is more traffic than on other roads, so the driving on a spare tire may get tough. Just use your spare for getting you to a repair facility and avoid taking chances that you don’t need to take.
How Long Can You Leave a Spare Tire on a Car?
Technically, you could be leaving a full-size spare on longer; but for balanced tread wear and handling, you’ll want to get a regular tire on as soon as you can.
For their part, donut spares should only see action for extremely short terms-indeed, they need to be changed out promptly, preferably within one or two days of usage.
Why Do Some New Cars Not Have Spare Tires?
Most new cars don’t have a spare tire due to the fact that it saves a lot of room, weight, and money. In its place, the company usually fits the vehicle with either tire repair kits or run-flat tires.
As handy as those alternatives are, granting more fuel efficiency and space for cargo, they aren’t as reliable as the classic spare in an emergency.
Can You Drive in Rain with a Spare Tire?
Yes, but with caution. Compact spares, in particular, don’t have as much traction and stability as regular tires.
Go slower in wet conditions and give yourself more space between vehicles for stopping. If at all possible, avoid sharp turns or sudden stops.
How Can I Be Sure My Spare Tire Is Safe to Use?
Also, check the spare for obvious wear, cracks, or very low tread depth, since these are signs of a tire that’s not safe to use.
And make sure it’s inflated correctly, since spares can compromise handling and safety if underinflated. Most manufacturers recommend the same time frame-checking of the spare tire when regular vehicle maintenance is done.
Can You Repair a Spare Tire if It Gets Damaged?
If it’s damaged, then it’s normally advisable to replace it rather than repair it. Compact spares are not designed for multiple uses, so repairing them isn’t always safe or reliable.
Full-size spares might be repairable with minor damage, but replacement ensures the highest level of safety.
