Updated at: 01-06-2022 - By: Lucas

People use the word “lifesaver” to describe spare tyres for a number of reasons. One of those reasons is that they help you when you need it the most. No driver likes a flat tyre. Even though it’s bad, it’s always good to know you have a spare tyre if you have one.

Replacement tyres should only be a short-term fix. But some people go too far and run on them for longer than they should.

You can drive up to 70 miles with a spare donut tyre, but you shouldn’t go faster than 50 miles per hour.

Make Sure To Check This Before You Drive

How Long Should One Drive On A Spare Tire-2

Depending on the type of car, the spare tyre is different. Manufacturers saw that most people don’t use the spare tyre very often. Now, new cars have tyres that take up less room (donut). Old models use full-size tyres as spare tyres.

How long you can use your spare tyre depends on what kind of spare tyre you have.

Regular tires

People in this group worry less about how long their spare tyre will last. If the size, shape, and model are the same as the other tyres, it is safe to use it as a regular tyre. But don’t think the spare tyre is new just because it doesn’t get used much.

If you’ve had it for more than five years, check for cracks and holes. Also check the pressure.

If you drive an SUV or pickup, the back tyre is visible. Because of UV rays, it wears out slowly. It also gets in touch with trash from the road. Since you don’t know what will happen, you should be careful when driving on a spare tyre.

Check your spare tyres often as a matter of course. The best kind of maintenance is preventive maintenance.

Donut spare tire

Most of the time, doughnut tyres are smaller than regular tyres. Use them to get to where you want to go in your service shop. Most of the time, though, this is not the case.

If you need to use your spare tyre, you shouldn’t drive more than 50–70 miles. Anything past that point is too much for your car. Remember that you shouldn’t go faster than 50mph.

The donut tyre is not very good at what it does. To save money and space, it is small and light. It is also made with a thin thread and a simple rim. So, you shouldn’t use them too much because they are easily broken.

These are suggestions from the maker. If you don’t pay attention, the following could happen.

Your car could lose basic functions like being able to move.

Most likely, you’ll make it hard to use your car’s speedometer and keep the ABS from working right.

You will make it harder for your car to handle. This includes important functions like traction control and the ability to stop.

Things to avoid when using a spare tire

How Long Should One Drive On A Spare Tire-1

Rough road terrains

Since donut tyres have very thin threads, your spare tyre is more likely to get a hole. Don’t put them under more stress by putting more things in the car.

Over speeding

Don’t go faster than the speed limit says. The car is not stable when you are driving on a spare tyre. Because the donut is too small, it can’t be handled in the same way. It also depends on where the spare tyre was put. Spare front wheels could make it harder to turn.

Keep your distance

Compared to regular tyres, space saver tyres only cover a small part of the road. Because of this, it really hurts your car’s ability to grip the road. It will make it take longer to come to a stop. So, it is very dangerous to handle and steer. Even more so when dealing with an emergency.

Reduce load limit

Space saver tyres can carry less weight than other tyres. If you were pulling a trailer behind you, you might want to leave it behind. Your load’s weight could cause many mechanical problems.

Consequences of driving longer using your space-saver tire

A donut tyre is smaller than normal tyres and thinner. So, it puts a lot of stress on the differentials of your car when you turn corners. A differential is a piece of equipment that sends power to the wheels. It also lets the wheels on the right and left turn at different speeds while the car is moving.

When turning, the path of the wheel on the outside is longer than the path of the wheel on the inside. So, when the car turns a corner, the tyres move at different speeds.

If you use a spare wheel, the diameter difference must be taken into account by the differential. This means that the small tyre on the same axle turns faster than the tyre next to it. This makes the difference explain the difference.

If this keeps happening for a long time, the grease that keeps the differential moving smoothly will wear out. This could cause the clutch and acceleration to stop working.

An Alternative to spare tires

Manufacturers offer a choice for when you don’t have your spare tyres or don’t want to use them. There is a third choice besides the full-size spare tyre and the space saver tyre. It involves getting the flat tyre fixed.

Modern tyres called “run-flats” let you drive with a flat tyre. It is a special tyre that still works even though it has a deep hole in it. Even though they’re strong, they should only be used for a short time. You should use them to get to a repair shop.

Run-flat tyres are unique and can be very expensive, especially if you need to replace all four. Don’t put too much weight on your run-flat tyres. Only one thing works in their favour. You don’t have to stop right away and change a flat tyre.

Conclusion

When you should stop using your spare tyre after a flat is not a clear-cut question. But there are consequences if you run on your spare tyres for long. Always remember to follow the instructions in your owner’s manual. When using a spare tyre, drive slowly and lightly.

Get to a shop right away and get the flat tyre fixed.

Always drive in a safe way. Before you leave your house, always make sure you have a good spare tyre. Check for cracks and pressure. Whether you have a spare tyre or a run-flat tyre, you should only use it in case of an emergency.