![]() It’s always a good idea to check your car to see what kind of spare you have - or know if you have one at all. Keep in mind, however, that since it’s lighter in weight than the other tires, it is still only good for temporary uses in emergency situations and will need a quick replacement like the compact spare. The other bonus is that this kind of tire won’t add a whole lot of extra weight to your vehicle in storage. Similar to the compact, it usually matches your vehicle’s tire specifications, but since it is a full-size tire, it most likely won’t affect ABS or other drive and traction controls. The third kind of full-sized spare tire is a lighter-weight and shallow tread spare tire which should be used as a temporary tire like the compact spare. This might be an okay option for a spare if you find a good deal or have an extra tire lying around, however, it may not be a smart item to purchase since it will still take up space and have to replaced sooner than a full-sized matching spare. If you have a full-size but mismatching tire, you will be able to drive it longer than a compact or donut tire, but it will still have to be replaced by a proper matching tire and should not be included as part of your vehicle’s tire rotation pattern. Another pro is you won’t have to drive to a mechanic at all if you replace with a matching full spare tire.Īlthough a mismatched tire could be a full-size tire, it still may not be the same size as the ground tires. ![]() If you're using a full-size matching tire as your spare, remember to make it part of your vehicle's tire rotation pattern. If you can make the room, it's a great option if the fifth tire matches the current set of tires on your vehicle. Full-Size Matching SpareĪ “full-size” spare is less common than a compact because of the amount of space it consumes in your vehicle. Keep in mind that a normal lifespan for any tire is six years, and a new spare should be replaced regardless of type or wear after that time. Think about keeping a small inflation device somewhere in the trunk or car storage areas, in case of emergencies. Pump more air into your spare if it is below this pressure. Safe Air Pressure for Compact SparesĪ compact spare tire should be inflated to a pressure of 60 pounds per square inch (PSI). There are other mechanical issues that can occur with prolonged use, including too much stress on your car’s differential if the smaller tire replaces one on the drivetrain. Note that if you are towing a trailer, you'll have to unhitch since compact spares can't handle the same load as regular tires. ![]() The narrow tires reduce the amount of traction, which means you have to be careful not to stop too fast or take any quick, unpredictable turns and maneuvers. Drive Control Issuesīecause of their small design, compact spares will also disable drive features like ABS and traction controls. Driving over that limit or past the suggested distance can put stress on the compact tire, causing it to burst or break as well, leaving you stranded. This means no high-speed expressway driving drive only on municipal roads where you do not need to exceed past the recommended speed. In terms of speed, 50 miles per hour is the suggested maximum. If you have changed a flat tire to a compact spare, try not to drive any farther than 50 miles. It is recommended that you drive straight to a mechanic to have a proper replacement put on. The compact spare corresponds to the specifications of your vehicle, but since they are lightweight and have less tread, these are only used in temporary emergency situations. It fits into the base of the trunk, already mounted and inflated, on a small-diameter wheel. A compact spare tire or “donut” is the most common type of spare tire and the kind that is usually included with your car.
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