How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

A common question we hear from our neighbors here at Robert Basil Cadillac is, “How long can I drive on a spare tire?” Spare tires are designed to be a very short-term solution to a flat, so you will want to replace them as soon as possible regardless of what type of spare you have. However, the actual mileage you can safely drive on a spare tire does depend on what kind of spare you have. For example, drivers with a full-size spare do not have to replace the tire as soon as drivers with a space-saver tire. Robert Basil Cadillac discusses spare tire safety more in-depth below.

How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire: Space-Saver Spare

If your spare tire is smaller than your other tires, you likely have a space-saver spare, or “donut” spare. Driving on a space-saver tire around Hamburg and East Aurora comes with restrictions to ensure safety during your travels:

• Donut spares cannot be driven over 50 miles per hour.
• Space saver spare tires shouldn’t be driven for more than 70 miles.
• You’ll have less traction than with a full-size spare.

Be sure to follow these restrictions and any others for your particular donut spare tire. Be sure to replace the spare as soon as possible to avoid any potential issues.

How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire: Full-Size Spare

Full-size spare tires are much less common, but you may still have a full-size spare if you drive a truck or an SUV. A full-size spare can usually be used longer than a space-saver tire, but it should still be replaced as soon as possible. It is not likely that the spare tire will be the same brand as your other tires. Because of this, traction and handling on %%targrt_city_3%% roads could be less than ideal. Additionally, because the spare tire is brand new, it won’t have the same amount of wear as the other tires.

What is a Run-Flat Tire?

Does your vehicle feature run-flat tires? Run-flat tires can maintain pressure even after a puncture. Listed below are a few pros and cons of choosing run-flat tires:

• A run-flat tire stays inflated for about 50 miles following a puncture.
• Run-flat tires are made of a more robust material than a space-saver tire or full-size spare.
• Run-flat tires are usually more expensive than standard tires.

Find Trusted Tire Care Advice at Robert Basil Cadillac

We have now answered the question, “How long can I drive on a spare tire?” If you still have questions about proper tire care and maintenance, do not hesitate to contact the team at Robert Basil Cadillac. We’d be happy to discuss tire lifespan and more with you.