Picture this: you’re driving down a road when suddenly, your steering wheel begins to shake, and your car shudders as you try to stop and park on the side of the road. As soon as you exit your vehicle, you immediately see the problem: you have flat tires.
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Hopefully, you have a good spare tire, or you might spend all day trying to get another tire.
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But, how long can a vehicle spare tire that has not been used last?
What is a Spare Tire?
Every new car, truck, and SUV should have a spare tire mounted in the cargo space or underneath the vehicle’s back end. If you’re having trouble finding your car’s spare tire, check your car’s owner’s manual.
While reading that, look for the spare tire and your other tire’s proper inflation specs. This would also be an excellent time to check the maintenance section for suggested scheduled maintenance procedures.
Experts recommend checking your tire pressure often. You cannot rely on your car’s low tire pressure warning system, as it doesn’t apply to your spare, and it may not be accurate.
Instead, look at the inside door jamb on the driver’s side for a placard showing tire sizes and pressures.
If your car has a compact or space-saver spare, sometimes called a donut, inflation specs are probably found in your owner’s manual or branded on the tire’s sidewall and will likely require higher pressures than your car’s other tires.
How to Properly Inflate a Spare Tire
Armed with proper tire inflation specs, you’ll need a tire gauge to check the air pressure in your tires. If the pressure is low, you must inflate them to the proper specifications. Tire dealers also offer inflation services.
However, the most convenient option is owning a tire inflator, a battery-powered plug-in for your car, or a larger air tank with a built-in compressor.
When Do You Need a New Spare Tire?
All tires have a life expectancy based on the tire’s age. The tire’s manufacture date is a four-digit numerical code shown as two digits representing the week of the year and a two-digit year stamped in the tire’s sidewall; for example, a tire manufactured on March 25, 2022, would have a 1222 date code representing the 12th week of 2022.
Consumer Reports Tire Program Manager, Ryan Pszczolkowski, suggests replacing your spare tire every 10 years. He also recommends frequent inspection for cracks and dry rot and properly inflating your tires regularly.
Can I Drive on a Spare Tire Until I Get Paid?
People often wonder how long they can drive on their spare tire. There is almost no danger in driving on it for extended periods if it’s a full-size spare.
The only downside is that if you have another flat tire, you’ll need another spare (which you’re already using). So, spare tires are mainly made for times of emergency. Fix your tire as soon as possible to reserve your spare tire still.
What You Need to Know About Changing a Flat Tire
When purchasing a car, please don’t assume it has a spare. If not equipped with a spare, ask the seller to add one as an option. Also, make sure the car comes with the tools needed to change a flat tire and learn to use them.
Conclusion
Some vehicles are not equipped to carry a spare tire and have a tire repair kit instead. The repair kit provides users the means to repair simple flats caused by a nail or similar object through the tread but does little for significant damage or sidewall punctures. Owners of cars equipped with such kits should study their use and ensure the kits are up to date.
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