If you have a flat or a blowout, that spare tire in your trunk can get you back on the road again. Full-size spares have no driving restrictions, but if your spare is one of those compact temporary spares also known as donut tires, then you must take certain precautions and alter your driving style.
Does your new car have a spare tire?
You may think there’s a spare tire there, but that's not the norm these days, and some drivers are being caught by surprise. Over the past dozen years, automakers have gradually stopped putting spare tires in their vehicles, according to AAA research. Today, 30 percent of new cars don't have a spare.
Should new cars be required to have a spare tire?
Why Aren’t Some New Cars Coming With a Spare Tire?
- To improve fuel efficiency. Removing the spare can reduce a vehicle’s weight by up to 50 pounds, including the jack and lug wrench. ...
- To save space and weight. There can be a trade-off between comfort and the space in small cars. ...
- To make room for hybrid, diesel, and electric vehicle components. ...
- To save money. ...
Are new cars being sold without spare tires?
Swapping on a spare should be easy, but unfortunately, around 30 percent of new cars don't come with spare tires anymore. Here's what you can do before your summer road trip to make blown tires a non-issue. Most new vehicles usually have complimentary roadside assistance and maintenance.
Does your car have a spare tyre?
While it’s a useful feature to have – no-one wants to be stranded with a flat tyre – there is no legal requirement to have a spare wheel in your vehicle. In fact, the RAC estimates that 90 per cent of new cars don’t come with a spare wheel. Most now feature either run-flat tyres, or repair foam and a compressor.
Why are spare tires used?
Since the spare tire is used so infrequently, carmakers have switched to narrow, compact spares to save space and weight. Of course, a spare tire is a lifesaver when regular tires go pop, but leaving the temporary tire on for longer than the manufacturer recommends invites a host of problems. First, a temporary spare isn't as durable as a normal tire. The real strength of a tire comes from the plieslayers of steel and polyester underneath the rubberand spares don't have as many plies as regular tires. A typical space-saver spare has only one layer of polyester in the sidewall and two belts of steel with a layer of polyester in the treadabout half as many plies as a normal tire. This greatly limits puncture resistance and cornering ability. In addition, as the name implies, space-saver tires are intended to take up less room in car and crossover trunks so that those trunks can be deeper. For that reason, these tires are narrower and have a smaller contact patch. This reduces the amount of traction for the tire, increasing stopping distances and making handling potentially unpredictable in emergency maneuvers. It also means ABS and traction control aren't as effective at keeping you out of danger. And you're not going to have the same ground clearance. If you're towing a trailer, you'll have to leave it behindspares have much lower load ratings than regular tires. Long-term use of the spare can cause a serious mechanical issue, too: The smaller-diameter tire can put a lot of stress on your differential.
Why are space saver tires narrower?
In addition, as the name implies, space-saver tires are intended to take up less room in car and crossover trunks so that those trunks can be deeper. For that reason, these tires are narrower and have a smaller contact patch.
What to do if a compact spare is damaged?
If a compact spare is ever damaged, either the tire itself or the wheel, the entire spare should be replaced rather than repaired. And don't forget to check the pressure in your spare every time you check the pressure in your other tiresit's important to make sure your safety net is, in fact, safe.
Do spare tires come with a warning?
Your car's spare tire comes with a manufacturer's warning for the maximum number of miles it should be driven. Here's the scoop on whether you really shouldn't run it any longer than that.
Can you leave spares behind when towing a trailer?
If you're towing a trailer, you'll have to leave it behindspares have much lower load ratings than regular tires. Long-term use of the spare can cause a serious mechanical issue, too: The smaller-diameter tire can put a lot of stress on your differential. The differential has a tricky job.
Is a temporary spare tire durable?
First, a temporary spare isn't as durable as a normal tire. The real strength of a tire comes from the plieslayers of steel and polyester underneath the rubberand spares don't have as many plies as regular tires. A typical space-saver spare has only one layer of polyester in the sidewall and two belts of steel with a layer ...
How much weight can you save by removing a spare tire?
As fuel economy standards increased, automakers decided to shed excess weight. Removing the spare tire, jack and lug wrench saves 40 to 50 pounds. While 50 pounds doesn't sound like much in a 3,800-pound car, every bit adds up; it also lets them save on assembly costs and the cost of the spare tire and tools.
What is a run flat tire?
Run-flat tires are designed to take a puncture to the tread, lose air pressure and allow you to keep driving. Your tire pressure monitoring system will alert you with a tire psi warning light on the dash, letting you know you have about 50 miles to reach a tire repair center before the tire fails.
What is a slime-like tire inflator?
Make your own with tire sealant and a tire inflator or purchase an easy one, like this. The slime-like sealant spreads inside the tire, infiltrating any punctures and drying to a firm, rubber-like patch. Then the compressor allows you to inflate to normal tire pressure and drive to your favorite tire retailer.
How long do tire inflation kits last?
If you have one, read the instructions to learn how to use it. Check the expiration date, too, as most last an average of five or six years.
Can a cigarette lighter repair a tire?
On the plus side, tire repair kits are small and lightweight. Unfortunately, they can't do anything for sidewall punctures or seriously damaged shredded tires.
Does a new Mustang have free tow service?
Most new vehicles usually have complimentary roadside assistance and maintenance. Call the hotline and wait for a free tow or repair on the side of the road. That's a great service for your brand-new Ford Mustang, but less great for your classic Mustang.
Can a spare tire fit in a full size car?
Just realize most vehicles were not designed to accommodate a full-size spare's width, so it likely won't fit in the spare tire well. You may be stuck with that tire and wheel taking up room in the trunk and slightly increased gas consumption due to the extra weight.
