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Spare Tire Guide
A spare tire is an emergency tool, not a permanent replacement. This guide explains the different types, how to check fitment, the speed and distance limits that apply, and how to store and maintain a spare so it works when you need it.
Direct answer
Use a spare tire only to reach a safe place or a repair facility, within its stated speed and distance limits. Compact temporary spares typically allow around 50 miles at no more than 50 mph, and are narrower with shallower tread than a road tire. Check its pressure regularly, confirm the bolt pattern and size suit your vehicle, and replace a compact spare with a proper tire as soon as possible.
Before you begin
Check what spare your vehicle carries — it may be a compact temporary spare, a full-size temporary, a matching full-size spare, or no spare at all but a repair kit instead. Confirm its pressure, that the jack and wrench are present, and that the spare is secure in its well. Know its limits before you ever need it.
Step-by-step guide
What kind of spare do you have?
Not all spares are the same, and knowing which you carry shapes how you use it. A compact temporary spare, often called a donut, is a narrow, lightweight tire with shallow tread and a visibly smaller size. It is designed for one job: to get you to a repair facility, within strict limits.
A full-size temporary spare looks closer to a normal wheel but may still carry restrictions. A matching full-size spare is the same size and specification as your road tires and, once fitted correctly, can generally be driven on like a normal tire — though you should still confirm your manufacturer's guidance.
Some vehicles carry no spare at all, relying instead on a sealant and compressor kit. These kits can temporarily seal small punctures in the tread, but they cannot help with sidewall damage, and they are not a substitute for a proper repair.
The limits are not suggestions
Whatever type you have, its speed and distance limits are safety ratings, not targets. A compact spare is often limited to around fifty miles at no more than fifty miles per hour. Its narrower tread and lighter construction mean less grip and different handling, especially in the wet, so drive gently and plan the shortest safe route to a tire shop.
Checking fitment before you rely on it
A spare can only do its job if it fits. Check the bolt pattern, the diameter and the offset against your road wheels. Confirm the spare's specified pressure and inflate it accordingly. While you are there, make sure the jack, the lug wrench and any locking wheel nut key are present — a spare without the tools to fit it is little help.
A note for all-wheel-drive vehicles
On some all-wheel-drive vehicles, a mismatched spare can place strain on the drivetrain if used on a driven axle for too long. Follow the manufacturer's guidance on where a temporary spare may be used and for how long. When in doubt, have the vehicle recovered rather than risk damage.
Storing and maintaining a spare
A spare lives out of sight and, all too often, out of mind. Check its pressure when you check the road tires, because spares lose air slowly in storage. Inspect it for cracking, bulges and age; a spare has a date code just like any other tire and can harden over the years. Keep it secured in its well so it cannot move, and make sure nothing rests on it.
Safety first: A spare is an emergency device, not a replacement. Fit it, drive within its limits to the nearest repair, and replace it with a proper tire as soon as you can.
When a spare is not enough
A spare cannot solve every problem. If the wheel itself is damaged, if the tire failed because of a bent rim, or if you carry a repair kit and the damage is in the sidewall, a spare tire may be the wrong tool for the job. In those cases — and whenever the roadside location is unsafe — professional help is the right call, as set out in our roadside assistance guide. For the mechanics of fitting the spare safely, see our how to change a tire guide.
Mistakes and warning signs
These mistakes turn a temporary spare into a safety risk.
Driving at normal speeds on a compact spare
Compact temporary spares have a low speed limit, often around 50 mph. Exceeding it stresses a tire not built for it and can cause a failure.
Treating a temporary spare as permanent
A compact spare is designed only to get you to a repair. Leaving it on for weeks compromises handling, braking and the driven components.
Neglecting the spare's pressure
Spares slowly lose air in storage. Check the spare's pressure when you check the others, so it is ready when needed.
Using a spare of the wrong size or bolt pattern
A spare that does not match the wheel's fitment cannot be fitted safely. Confirm the size, bolt pattern and offset before relying on it.
Mixing a compact spare into an all-wheel-drive system carelessly
On some all-wheel-drive vehicles, a mismatched spare can strain the drivetrain. Follow the manufacturer's guidance on where and how long it may be used.
Spare tire types and their limits
Limits vary by manufacturer — these are typical figures. Always confirm yours.
| Type | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Compact temporary (donut) spare | Emergency only; often around 50 miles at no more than 50 mph. |
| Full-size temporary spare | Larger and more capable than a donut, but still limited; check the manual. |
| Matching full-size spare | May be used like a normal tire once bolted on correctly, subject to manufacturer guidance. |
| Inflatable or space-saver spare | Stored deflated or compact; must be inflated to the specified pressure before use. |
| No spare (repair kit only) | Sealant kits suit small tread punctures only; not for sidewall damage. |
Spare tire readiness check
- ✓Confirm what type of spare your vehicle carries.
- ✓Check the spare's pressure and bring it to the specified figure.
- ✓Confirm the jack, wrench and any locking nut key are present.
- ✓Inspect the spare for cracks, bulges or age-related hardening.
- ✓Check the spare is secure and cannot move in its well.
- ✓Note the spare's speed and distance limits so you can plan.
Related tool
Before you drive on a temporary spare, check how far you should go.
Estimate the safe distance and speed for a spare.
Questions readers ask
Short, accurate answers to the questions this topic raises most often. These are answers, not a promise of any search feature.
Compact temporary spares usually have a speed limit around 50 mph. Do not exceed the tire's stated limit, and drive more cautiously than usual, particularly in the wet.
Compact spares are typically rated for around 50 miles — enough to reach a repair. Full-size temporary and matching spares may allow more, but always follow the manufacturer's figure.
A matching full-size spare can be used like a normal tire once fitted correctly. Compact and temporary spares cannot; they are emergency-only and should be replaced promptly.
At the same time you check the other tires — at least monthly. Spares lose air in storage and are easily forgotten.
Tires age regardless of mileage, so a spare can harden and become less reliable over time. Check its date code and inspect it for cracking; replace an aged or damaged spare.
Related resources
Fit the spare correctly and safely.
Include the spare in your routine checks.
The safety sequence before fitting a spare.
Spare use and roadside risk.
Part of Spare Tires. Browse all tire guides.
Sources and references
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — Tires
- Your vehicle owner's manual — spare type, limits and stowage
- Tire manufacturer guidance — temporary spare speed and distance limits
This guide is general information maintained by the TireHelpGuide editorial team. It links to primary sources above and is not a substitute for your vehicle and tire manufacturer’s guidance or a professional inspection. We do not publish a reviewer name or review date until a qualified reviewer can be verified.