How to use a spare tire

A spare tire typically weighs between 20 and 45 pounds and should only be used temporarily in an emergency. When driving with one, it’s important to take precautions.

Before hitting the road, make sure you check your owner’s manual to find out how far and fast you can drive with your spare tire. Driving for too long with a spare can potentially cause damage to other parts of your vehicle.

Furthermore, if you want your spare tire to do its job and get you out of trouble when the time comes, it’s a good idea to inspect it regularly. You can do this by examining your spare when having your other tires rotated and before going on long road trips.

Did you know?
Some automakers have removed the spare tire from their vehicles entirely in favor of a tire repair kit to reduce the weight of the vehicle and free up more storage space.