There's no hard and fast rule about the distance you can drive on a spare tyre, but a general rule of thumb is about 50 miles at a maximum speed of 50mph. It's important to note that handling will be different with a skinny spare tyre, so you'll need to be aware of this when you're driving.
While there are different sizes and types of spares, we suggest you keep speeds at or below 50 miles per hour and drive no more than 50 miles on a spare tire before getting your flat fixed.
You should drive no more than 50 miles on a temporary or donut spare tire if possible. If you absolutely must go longer than 50 miles, avoid driving on it longer than 70 miles. A spare tire isn't meant to completely replace a tire, rather, its purpose is to tide you over until you can properly replace it.
“Unless specified, you should get a new spare tire at 10 years to ensure it is safe to use,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, CR's tire program manager. “You should inspect your spare tire periodically to look for any cracking or dry rot.” This task can be done when you're checking the tire pressure.
However, the tire itself is not built to last. Your owner's manual will give recommendations for driving time and speed. A general rule of thumb is to drive no farther than 70 miles and no faster than 50 miles per hour before replacing your donut with a new tire.
You should drive no more than 50 miles on a temporary or donut spare tire if possible. If you absolutely must go longer than 50 miles, avoid driving on it longer than 70 miles. A spare tire isn't meant to completely replace a tire, rather, its purpose is to tide you over until you can properly replace it.
Fact: The spare tire enables you to drive to the nearest repair shop to have the flat tire inspected and either repaired or replaced. You should not drive over 50 mph and no more than 50 miles with a donut-type spare tire.
“Unless specified, you should get a new spare tire at 10 years to ensure it is safe to use,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, CR's tire program manager. “You should inspect your spare tire periodically to look for any cracking or dry rot.” This task can be done when you're checking the tire pressure.
A spare tire might last you as long as 10 years, but a safe bet is to replace it with a new one. The second thing to watch out for is the condition of the spare tire. In the case of older vehicles, the spare has often been used or is actually the old patched tire from a previous mishap on the road.
One cause of pressure loss in tires is permeation of air molecules right through the rubber, as gas inside the tire tends toward equalizing pressure with the outside. This will happen regardless of whether a tire is in use or being stored.
You should drive no more than 50 miles on a temporary or donut spare tire if possible. If you absolutely must go longer than 50 miles, avoid driving on it longer than 70 miles. A spare tire isn't meant to completely replace a tire, rather, its purpose is to tide you over until you can properly replace it.
As long as the spare is in good condition and is the same as the other tires on your vehicle, you are safe to drive on it for as long as you like. However, if it is a different brand or has a different tread pattern, it is recommended that you have it replaced as soon as you can.
Because donuts are so much smaller, they would be mostly ineffective for heavier vehicles but can do the trick for a light sedan. Full-size spare tires are heavier and can create a drag on the back end of smaller vehicles, adversely affecting gas mileage.
As tires age, their structural integrity can be compromised. After a long enough period, driving on your spare tire may become dangerous. For your safety, we recommend replacing your spare tire every six years. If your spare is ten years old or older, it's considered non-serviceable and should be replaced ASAP.
As for manufacturer warranty and recommendation, inspection of tires starts at 6 years of its life for their integrity and needs to be replaced at 10th year.
Since a donut spare isn't meant for prolonged use or at speeds over 50 miles per hour, you should avoid driving on the highway with one. Instead, take local roads if possible. Travel in the lane furthest right and keep your speed under 50 mph.
“Unless specified, you should get a new spare tire at 10 years to ensure it is safe to use,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, CR's tire program manager. “You should inspect your spare tire periodically to look for any cracking or dry rot.” This task can be done when you're checking the tire pressure.
"While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a simple precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear ...
Without it, a standard tow (around 5 miles) can cost you over $100. Decide before you buy the vehicle if you're willing to go spare-less. If you find yourself regretting your decision later, you'll need to buy a tire, jack and lug wrench. Plus, there may not be space to safely carry the tire and tools in your vehicle.
The good news is that tires should last around 5-7 years under normal circumstances. As tires age, they will begin to dry rot, and cracks will appear across the surface. It's only a matter of time before they begin to appear on your tires.
If there's no sticker, you can usually find the info in the owner's manual. Normal tire pressure is usually between 32~40 psi(pounds per square inch) when they are cold. So make sure you check your tire pressure after a long stay and usually, you can do it in the early morning.
Plus, the tread can be vastly different, or the tire may not be designed for long distances. Regardless, those differences can decrease your control, reduce stopping power, cause hydroplaning on wet roads, and can damage your transmission and other parts of your vehicle.
Do not exceed more than 50 miles per hour speed on a spare tire. Driving too fast on a spare tire is very dangerous and can lead to very expensive (and unnecessary) repairs - this is one of the reasons why many states actually have laws governing max speeds for vehicles using spare tires.
You should drive no more than 50 miles on a temporary or donut spare tire if possible. If you absolutely must go longer than 50 miles, avoid driving on it longer than 70 miles. A spare tire isn't meant to completely replace a tire, rather, its purpose is to tide you over until you can properly replace it.
It's not wise to drive on any spare tire longer than you have to. Space-saver spares or donuts should be driven no more than 50 miles. If you've needed to use your spare, make an appointment at a tire shop or with a trusted mechanic as soon as possible.
