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Getting a flat tire is a quick way to ruin even the best of days, but getting stranded might be only part of the problem if you treat the spare tire carelessly. Many modern vehicles have a compact spare, sometimes called a donut, that are designed to help you limp to the next available service station in the event of a flat. “Limp” being the key word here.
Compact spare tires are not designed to be driven on for more than a few dozen miles, and aren’t going to keep you safe driving at highway speeds. You’re busy, we get it, but this isn’t a job to let slide.
After all of that, you probably still have questions about what you can and can’t do with a donut on your car. How fast can you drive? How long can you wait before replacing the tire? The Drive’s team of professionals is here to help you work out the best path forward when you have a flat tire. Stick with us.
What Happens If You Drive On a Donut Too Long?
Your vehicle was designed to work with a specific wheel size. You know, normal sizes like 17 or 18 inches. Your vehicle was not designed to run for an extended period of time on a donut. Doing so can damage other parts, such as the transmission, suspension, and brakes. That’s on top of the fact that donut tires are only meant to take you to the closest tire repair shop, and are nowhere near as durable or safe as a standard tire and wheel.
Is It Ok To Put a Donut On the Front Tire?
It’s a bad idea to drive even a short distance with a donut for a front wheel. Many vehicles weigh more in the front due to the engine being housed there, but the front wheels also do the bulk of the braking, turning, and acceleration. There can be big problems in short order if you drive extended periods of time with a donut on the front wheels.
Spare tires are often located in the trunk., Depositphotos
How Long Do Tires Last?
Tires usually come with tread wear ratings and an expected tire mileage, but there are many factors that can cause those numbers to change, sometimes drastically. In general, tires last anywhere from 30,000 to 80,000 miles, but driving aggressively, off-roading, and driving over rough roads can shorten that lifespan considerably. Even if you’re not driving that much, tires can still “expire” as the rubbers and materials start to degrade.
Can You Go Faster Than 50 MPH Using a Donut?
Look, we’re not going to tell you that it’s impossible, but we will tell you that it’s a very bad idea to play Speed Racer with a frail strip of rubber wrapped around a small piece of metal that has been hand-bolted onto your car.
Donut Tire Maintenance
If you’re lucky, you’ll only need to use your donut once or twice over the lifetime of your vehicle. That means your spare will be sitting, alone, in the trunk of your car for quite a while in between uses. A good rule of thumb is to check your spare once a month, but at the very least it’s good to check the tire at least every time you go in for an oil change. If you’ve just purchased the vehicle, check the tire’s tread and inflation to ensure the previous owner or the factory didn’t miss a quality issue with the spare. You’ll want it to be in proper working order when you need it unexpectedly.
Get Help With Tires and Tire Changes From a Mechanic On JustAnswer
The Drive recognizes that while our How-To guides are detailed and easily followed, a rusty bolt, an engine component not in the correct position, or oil leaking everywhere can derail a project. That’s why we’ve partnered with JustAnswer, which connects you to certified mechanics around the globe, to get you through even the toughest jobs.
So if you have a question or are stuck, click here and talk to a mechanic near you.
We’ve had our fair share of flat tires over the years, and can say confidently that having a blowout doesn’t have to ruin your day. Fooling around with a wimpy spare tire can ruin your day, though, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into. Here are some of our tips to get you safely to the tire shop:
First, make sure the tire and wheel you removed are stowed safely in your vehicle. The trunk or cargo area are ideal spots
Make sure you’ve cranked the lug nuts tight using your body weight. This will ensure the donut stays in place
If you’re able, use a smartphone or in-vehicle infotainment system to locate a nearby tire shop. You’re not going to want to road trip with the small spare
If it’s at all possible, do not drive more than 70 or so miles on your donut. Its smaller size will cause excess wear on wheel bearings, brakes, and transmission gears. There’s also a much higher chance of a blowout or tire damage because of the spare’s lightweight design
Remember that your spare is only meant to get you to the repair shop, so avoid driving over 50 mph to prevent more damage
You should drive no more than 50 miles on a temporary or donut spare tire if possible. If you absolutely must go longer than 50 miles, avoid driving on it longer than 70 miles. A spare tire isn't meant to completely replace a tire, rather, its purpose is to tide you over until you can properly replace it.
You should not drive over 50 mph and no more than 50 miles with a donut-type spare tire. Driving for long distances on a spare tire can potentially cause damage to other car parts, including the transmission.
Donuts are emergency solutions intended solely for emergency situations, with an upper limit of no more than 50 miles, and should be replaced immediately. In the event that your vehicle comes with a full-size spare, you can drive it as usual.
The limits of a space-saver spare tire are: Speed limit of 50 miles per hour. Shouldn't be driven more than 70 miles. Often provide less traction than with a full-size spare.
Drive on a spare only to get your vehicle to safety. No, you shouldn't drive on a donut spare tire for a week. A full-size spare, you may be able to drive on longer, but keep in mind that its tread will not have the same wear as your good tires, which isn't great for your vehicle's suspension.
How Far Can I Drive on a Donut Tire? Donut tires are only meant to be temporary fixes for a flat tire until you can safety reach a Chicago area service center to get your tire replaced. In general, most donuts should not be driven on for longer than 50-70 miles.
Plus, the tread can be vastly different, or the tire may not be designed for long distances. Regardless, those differences can decrease your control, reduce stopping power, cause hydroplaning on wet roads, and can damage your transmission and other parts of your vehicle.
Space-saver spares or donuts should be driven no more than 50 miles. If you've needed to use your spare, make an appointment at a tire shop or with a trusted mechanic as soon as possible.
Temporary spare tires have limited tread life. Keeping it on your car for a day or two until your first opportunity to get to the tire store might be OK, but only if you limit driving to less than 50 miles during that time.
You should drive no more than 50 miles on a temporary or donut spare tire if possible. If you absolutely must go longer than 50 miles, avoid driving on it longer than 70 miles. A spare tire isn't meant to completely replace a tire, rather, its purpose is to tide you over until you can properly replace it.
You can safely drive up to 100 miles with a full-sized spare tire and only 50 miles with a smaller one. A spare tire is an extra tire stored in a vehicle in case of a flat tire. Driving too long on a spare tire causes excessive wear on various parts, plus an increased chance of blowout and tire damage.
Do not plan on leaving the compact spare on your vehicle any longer than is necessary, as this could put you at risk of dangerous tire problems and equipment failures. If your donut pops or goes flat while driving, replace it with a standard tire rather than mending the spare.
A donut spare tire is a small, temporary tire that is used to get you to a safe place in case of a flat tire. A regular spare tire is a full-size tire that is the same as the ones on your car. It is advisable to have a regular spare tire in your trunk, in case of an emergency.
Limit your mileage on donut tires; if you drive on it for a few miles, it's perfectly safe to return it to the trunk after installing regular tires. Should the need arise, you can reuse a donut tire.
It may be hidden away, but it should not be forgotten. In fact, you should check and adjust its tire pressure at least seasonally. And know that, like bread, tires do expire. “Unless specified, you should get a new spare tire at 10 years to ensure it is safe to use,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, CR's tire program manager.
Do not exceed more than 50 miles per hour speed on a spare tire. Driving too fast on a spare tire is very dangerous and can lead to very expensive (and unnecessary) repairs - this is one of the reasons why many states actually have laws governing max speeds for vehicles using spare tires.
While it's highly recommended to pull over and replace a flat, circ*mstances may not always allow for this immediate action. Manufacturers generally suggest that if an emergency forces you to drive on a flat tire, it should ideally not exceed 1.5 miles and not exceed a speed of 20 mph.
“Unless specified, you should get a new spare tire at 10 years to ensure it is safe to use,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, CR's tire program manager. “You should inspect your spare tire periodically to look for any cracking or dry rot.” This task can be done when you're checking the tire pressure.
You should never attempt to drive any further than a couple hundred yards on a flat tire, even if it isn't completely deflated. This may not be enough distance to get you to an auto garage, but you can at least creep along until you're away from the hazards of the highway.
Most compact spares will have a large warning on the side warning you not to drive over 50 mph. Compact spares have less tread than a typical tire, so putting pedal to the metal makes the tire work harder and wear faster.
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