Doyou have a spare tire for your vehicle? Many people never give theirspare tire a second thought until they find themselves stranded onthe side of the road. Most vehicle manufacturers supply a donut tirefor automobiles. This is a compact, space-saving tire that is meantfor temporary use only. Here is what every vehicle owner should knowabout their spare.
HowDoes a Donut Spare Tire Differ from a Regular Tire?
Thetire itself is usually made of a hard plastic-like material ratherthan rubber. A donut spare tire is significantly smaller than aregular tire, both in diameter and width. The donut spare is compactand gets tucked into a special compartment.
Therim is also made from lightweight metal. This makes maneuvering thespare tire easier than a full-sized traditional tire and lessens theweight of your vehicle. Another big difference in a donut spare tireis the tread. A donut spare tire has virtually no tread or siping,which are little grooves in a tire that increase traction.
WhereIs a Donut Spare Tire Located?
Mostautomobile manufacturers use a wheel well compartment that is hiddenunder the floor of your vehicle's trunk. Some vehicles, such assports utility vehicles and vans, may have an exterior wheel wellcompartment on the back hatch. Other vehicles may hang the spare tirefrom the frame under the vehicle. A few vehicles, typically foreignmanufacturers, store the donut spare tire in the engine compartment.
HowFast and Long Can You Drive a Donut Spare Tire?
Mostmanufacturers and the American Automobile Association recommend youdon't exceed 50 mph with a donut tire or travel more than 50 miles.The recommended limitations are usually stamped on the tire'ssidewall. If you suffer a blowout on the interstate, use a donut tireonly to get you to the next exit and the nearest tire shop.
HowDoes a Donut Spare Tire Affect Your Driving?
Drivegingerly and attentively when you have a donut spare tire on yourvehicle. Because a donut spare tire is smaller than your other tires,the vehicle will often pull to the side the spare is on. This isespecially true when braking. It is important to have a firm grasp ofthe steering wheel when driving with a donut spare tire.
Adonut spare tire also requires slowing down more when taking corners.A vehicle with a donut spare does not handle as well as a regulartire. If you are driving in adverse conditions, such as rain, ice, orsnow, you will need to be even more cautious as the donut spare tiredoesn't have much tread and will supply little to no traction.
HowDoes a Donut Spare Tire Affect Your Vehicle?
Whilea donut spare tire is a great quick fix for a tire emergency, it isnot good for your vehicle long-term. Driving with a donut spare tireis hard on your vehicle's differential. The differential is the carpart that sends power from the transmission to the wheel.
Thedifferential controls how your wheels turn and the speed at whichthey do so. Because a donut spare tire is smaller than a regulartire, the differential has to work differently and harder than itnormally does. A donut spare tire is also hard on your vehicle'salignment, anti-lock braking system, and other tires.
HowShould You Care for Your Donut Spare Tire?
Youshould check your donut spare tire's air pressure every time youcheck your other tires. The recommendation is once a month. Yourtires need rotating every 3,000-5,000 miles, and this is a perfecttime to have your tire service provider inspect your spare tire aswell. A donut spare tire can break down over time.
Ifyou have any questions about your donut spare tire, need a new spareor regular tire, or want to schedule a tire rotation and balanceappointment, contactustoday.
