A space saver tyre is an emergency spare that can be used as a temporary replacement in the event of a puncture. They are smaller than regular tyres and usually have a bright yellow or orange rim.
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.
You should not drive over 50 mph and no more than 50 miles with a donut-type spare tire. Driving for long distances on a spare tire can potentially cause damage to other car parts, including the transmission.
Temporary/Compact Spare tires have been developed to help drivers regain mobility in the event a puncture, cut, road hazard or blowout causes a flat tire. Compared to full-sized spare tires, they are designed to save weight and trunk space.
Can I use the temporary spare tire more than once? Yes you can. Check your tread wear indicators, and remember to keep your spare properly inflated.
If you're asking yourself, "How long can I drive on a spare tire," or "How fast can I go on a spare tire", consider the following: Space-saver spares cannot be driven over 50 mph. Space-saver spare tires shouldn't be driven for more than 70 miles. You'll have less traction than with a full-size spare.
A space saver tyre is an emergency spare that can be used as a temporary replacement in the event of a puncture. They are smaller than regular tyres and usually have a bright yellow or orange rim.
A donut spare tire is a small, temporary tire that is used to get you to a safe place in case of a flat tire. A regular spare tire is a full-size tire that is the same as the ones on your car. It is advisable to have a regular spare tire in your trunk, in case of an emergency.
All temporary spare tires are designed for short-term use only; they are not designed with the same capabilities in terms of load capacity, speed capability, or all-weather traction. Always check your vehicle's owner's manual and the temporary spare's sidewall for instructions on proper use.
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.
Since spare tires are built smaller and lighter, going 50-70 mph causes the tires to wear out quickly. As mentioned earlier, it is dangerous to drive on a spare tire too long because it can cause damage to other parts of your car, such as brakes, transmission, steering system, suspension, and even car heating.
Driving too fast on a donut spare tire can cause flat tires, tire wear, or tire blowout, leading to loss of vehicle control and road accidents. It may also damage vehicle parts such as the brakes, steering system, suspension, and transmission.
No. Do not drive on a flat tire. However, it may be necessary to travel a short distance on a flat tire when pulling over to the side of the road. But driving on a flat tire is a surefire way to put your passengers at risk and seriously damage your vehicle.
Avoid motorways if at all possible. Remember to check the space saver's air pressure: The majority of space saver wheels have pneumatic tyres, so you'll need to periodically check your 'spare' is at the correct pressure. Driving on an under-inflated space saver would be extremely dangerous.
Unlike your four regular tires, compact spare tires typically should be inflated to around 60 pounds per square inch; PSI far short of that level could fail and damage the wheel, as well.
Your Spare is NOT a Long Term Solution
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 always have a spare tire in your vehicle because you never know when you'll get a flat or puncture and be on the side of the road stranded. A spare tire and wheel provide you with a direct replacement, allowing you to become mobile again until you get a tire repair service.
There are two types available: full-size and compact. A full-size is essentially another tire for your vehicle that you can leave on. It serves as a permanent fix. Compact spares are more common, and they are only meant to be temporary.
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.
Of course, it isn't illegal to not have a spare in your car, but the benefits are obvious. If you know how to even change a spare tyre, then carrying one will help you get out of any tricky situation should you find yourself in the event of a puncture or blowout on the side of the road.
Generally, a space-saver spare: Cannot be driven over 80 kph. Shouldn't be driven for more than 100 kilometres.
“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.
Why you shouldn't drive on a flat tire. If there is no air or not enough air in the tire (which is needed to support the weight of your vehicle), it can cause 'internal structural damage,' meaning the material inside the tire can get damaged beyond repair.
Double that if you don't have a spare tire around, and make it triple when you're in an emergency. If you're wondering how many miles you can squeeze on your flat tire. It's 50 miles or 80.4 kilometers. However, you should drive slowly on a flat tire since it doesn't have much traction or durability.