How Many Miles Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?
Source: Pixabay
Having a flat tire is a common roadside emergency. Fortunately, the problem is usually resolved by taking out the spare tire and using it until the damaged tire is repaired or replaced. However, a spare tire is not a permanent solution. It’s designed only for short distances until you can get to a safe location or tire shop. This raises the question, how many miles can you drive on a spare tire?
The Basics: How Many Miles Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?
Before diving into the details, let’s more closely look at the purpose of a spare tire. Fundamentally, your car’s spare tire is intended as a limited backup in the event of an unexpected flat. In short, spares are meant only for short-term use. They are not to be used permanently or for long-distance travel. Think of a spare for temporary use only: driving to home or the repair shop.
BE CERTAIN YOU’RE GETTING THE BEST DEAL
CoPilot searches your area and lets you know if there’s a better deal on a similar vehicle nearby, so you’re always certain you got the best deal possible. The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car.
Key Factors: How Many Miles Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?
There are different types of spare tires, each with recommended use limits. Several key factors impact a spare’s longevity (mileage limitations):
Spare Tire Type
Vehicles may come with different types of spare tires. Most passenger cars and crossover-style SUVs come with a compact spare (sometimes called a space saver or “donut”). Larger vehicles like pickup trucks and big SUVs often have a full-size spare. In rare instances, a vehicle may have a spare that’s a full replacement tire (including a matching wheel) that doesn’t need to be swapped (although the flat tire needs to be repaired or replaced to serve as a spare).
Vehicle Type
Guidance for spare tire mileage will vary between passenger cars, SUVs, or trucks—generally, the heavier the vehicle, the lower the mileage range. Always review manufacturer instructions.
Speed
Most spares, especially space savers, are not designed for maximum highway capacity, requiring reduced speed or limited-range travel.
Condition
Just like regular tires, spares don’t last forever. Age and wear can impact a spare’s usability. Cracking or rotting reduces a spare’s usefulness, and these conditions can create a safety hazard.
Tire Pressure
Proper tire pressure is important for a spare, just like a regular tire. An underinflated tire can experience heat build-up, thereby shortening its life. And an overinflated spare may be more vulnerable to a blowout. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct PSI.
Mileage Limits: How Many Miles Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?
The mileage limit for a spare tire will vary by the type of spare. Each spare will come with a manufacturer-set limit that should be followed precisely. Here’s a general guideline:
- Full-Size Spare: Up to 100 miles at speeds not to exceed 50 mph
- Compact Spare: 50-70 miles at speeds not to exceed 50 mph
Failure to follow spare tire use instructions can create an unsafe situation. In addition, it’s always wise to drive with extra caution when using a spare.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
When Should I Replace A Spare Tire?
While spare tires may need to be replaced after use, other situations may require buying a new spare.
Age
Rubber degrades over time, so a spare often requires replacement after six years. Some manufacturers provide extended use periods of up to ten years. Consult the instructions for more details.
Condition
While a spare’s poor condition may limit mileage, it can also make the tire unsafe. Look for cracks, bulges, patches, or exposed cords.
Tread Depth
Legal requirements for minimum tire tread depth apply to spares. These standards can vary by state but usually require a tread depth of at least 2⁄32 inches.
Matching
It’s not unusual for a second-hand car to come with a spare that doesn’t match the vehicle (the seller included a spare to make the car “complete”). When buying a used car, always confirm that the spare is suitable.
THE BEST USED LUXURY CARS ON THE MARKET
Buying a used or CPO luxury car is one of the smartest buys you can make - you can get a lot of car for not much money. You can pick up a three-year-old luxury car for about half of what you’d pay new. Check out this list of the best used luxury cars on the market to find the best deals.
10 Tips for Driving with a Spare Tire
Driving with a spare tire requires extra caution because your vehicle is not in peak operating condition. Here’s what you need to be aware of:
- Follow all mileage and speed limits for the spare tire that’s in use. Observe the manufacturer’s instructions.
- When possible, stick to lower-speed local roads instead of highways. Slower is always better when it comes to using a spare.
- Keep mileage and spare tire use to a minimum—drive directly to the repair shop or other destination. A spare may not last as long as intended.
- Avoid towing or hauling heavy loads to minimize the stress on a spare.
- Increase following distance—a spare doesn’t grip as well as a standard tire.
- Check the spare’s tire pressure to ensure optimal usability.
- Avoid hard braking, sudden acceleration, and sharp turns to lessen the strain on a spare.
- Do not use automated car washes that may be configured for vehicles with standard tires.
- Read the owner’s manual for specific instructions and warnings about driving with a spare tire.
- Be extra vigilant while driving with a spare; vehicle handling may be different.
THE BEST USED MINIVANS ON THE MARKET
When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. We’ve factored in reliability, affordability, and functionality to create this curated list of the 8 best used minivans on the market today.
I Don’t Have a Spare Tire, Now What?
These days, many new cars no longer come equipped with spare tires. Instead, manufacturers include emergency tire inflator kits with a portable air compressor and a container of tire sealant. These kits allow a stranded driver to seal small leaks and inflate a punctured tire, enabling a short drive to the tire store or home.
Inflator kits are for temporary use only. You’ll still need to get the damaged tire properly patched or replaced. In addition, this fix isn’t suitable for major tire issues like a damaged sidewall or tread.
When this approach fails, it’s time to call roadside assistance—sometimes, there’s no alternative to a tow truck. Whether you’re dealing with an inadequate inflator kit, a major blowout, or an inability to change a spare tire, seeking professional help is often the best approach.
If your car is not covered by a roadside assistance plan (like through a new car or extended warranty), consider joining an auto club before there’s a problem. Insurance companies often offer roadside assistance coverage at lower prices than well-known outfits.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
