How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

How long can you drive on a spare tire?

So you got a flat tire and had to stick a spare on your car to get you through your commute. But how long can you drive on a spare tire? Do you really need to rush into Toyota of Orlando to get a new tire for your ride, or can you wing it and get by on your spare for a few weeks? Our car care experts are making it simple ™ and are here to walk you through exactly what you can expect when driving on a spare.

Everything you need to know about driving on a spare tire

How long can you drive on a spare tire, for starters? First of all, you need to figure out whether you have a full-size spare tire or a temporary spare tire. Here's the difference between the two:

Full-size spares are the same size as the other tires on your vehicle. These are usually found in full-size trucks and SUVs, and they match the characteristics of your existing tires in terms of handling and durability.

Temporary spares are also known as “donut” spares. They're smaller than your normal tires and are meant as a very temporary solution — like just enough to get you to where you can buy a new tire.

Now let's break down the question of how long can you drive on a spare tire based on the type of tire.

How far can you drive on a spare tire?

How far can you drive on a spare tire that's a full-size spare? Our Orlando Toyota experts recommend going no further than 100 miles on a full-size spare. Sure, they're the same size as your existing tires and typically are a bit more durable, but they're no match for daily driving. Don't push it — you could end up with another flat and no spare.

What about a temporary spare tire? You'll get a lot less mileage out of this one. Temporary spares should only be driven around 50 miles (and less if you can help it). If you drive too far on a temporary spare, you can not only end up with another flat, but also damage your car. A temporary spare is smaller than your other tires and driving too far on it can end up in stress and damage to your transmission.

How fast can you drive on a spare tire?

Now let's talk about speed. How fast can you drive on a spare tire that's a full-size tire? Typically, as these tires are the same size as your other tires and usually have more durability, you should be able to drive normal speeds (up to 70 mph) on them without issue. However, when it comes to temporary spare tires, you should stick to speeds under 50 mph. Anything faster can create too much heat on the tire and lead to a blowout as well as stress and damage to your Orlando Toyota.

Remember, regardless of the type of spare tire you have for your Orlando Toyota, you should always keep it in the best shape possible. You want to ensure that it's in good overall condition (free from any damage like bubbles, blisters, sidewall separation, etc.). You also want to ensure that it's always fully inflated. Our car care experts recommend quickly checking your spare once a month.

Get new tires, spare tires, and more at Toyota of Orlando

Whether you're in need of a new tire, a spare tire, or tire care, Toyota of Orlando has got your back. Call our service team today at 407-298-4500 or stop by! We're open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Mall of Millenia.