About how many miles can you get out of a spare tire?

[ZappaFan]

I ended up putting a spare tire on my car (drivers side, rear) the other day. Im just wondering how many miles on average can you get out of a spare tire before its really unsafe?

[TheSexyBeast821]

I also have a spare tire on my car and have driven about 70 miles on it so far without a problem except when driving over 50mph on the highway. I'm nervous about using my car anymore though because apparently they are only meant to safely last 50 miles.

[Rainycity]

if its the little donut, its only suppose to be used to drive you to the nearest service station.

[Pee Vee Proots, M.D.]

I uhh... man... isn't a spare tire just another tire?

[Dose Me]

if it's the donut you're talking you can put quite a few miles on them...especially if you're just driving on straight highway with few turns or bump or potholes. Of course it's good to replace it as soon as possible but you can get as many miles as the tread lasts...which could be well over 100.

I had to put one on while I waited to find 4 used tires to replace my set with...drove the 4 miles on highway for a full work week...it's still in fine condition.

[ZappaFan]

Originally Posted by Pee Vee Proots, M.D.

I uhh... man... isn't a spare tire just another tire?

Its one of those little donut tires though.

[Township Rebellion]

It should be fine for a bit, just check the tread wear regularly and try not to drive faster than 80 clicks (maybe 50 miles per or so). They aren't meant to withstand constant speed.

[Rodrat]

My spare is the same make and model and my other tires so for me it would be how ever long my tires would last.

[MediumD]

Donuts are fine to drive on for a long distance, they have plenty of tread and if they had any issue with heat they wouldn't last more than 5 miles, much less 50.

But, donuts do NOT like higher speeds. They're recommended to be used up to 50 miles at 50mph, you can ignore the distance, but don't ignore the speed. Also, they will explode on any decent sized pothole. They're justifiably called "maypops" in certain parts of the country, because they may pop.

[Ethan]

If the leak on the tire is on the tread, you can buy a plug from advanced auto zone. Its a long sticky rubber string on a stick that you clip off. It will hold you over until you can afford another tire. It will last hundreds of miles I think, so ask the cashier or check the package.

[roasted]

Originally Posted by Ethan

If the leak on the tire is on the tread, you can buy a plug from advanced auto zone. Its a long sticky rubber string on a stick that you clip off. It will hold you over until you can afford another tire. It will last hundreds of miles I think, so ask the cashier or check the package.

IMO, those diy patches arent worth the trouble. Most tire shops will patch a tire for very cheap or free. When I get a flat I usually just take the tire back to the place where I bought them and ask nicely for a patch.

Often times it'll be free or like $10 to patch. Dont bother with that Fix-A-Flat stuff, its a mechanics worst nightmare (just throw on the spare and head to the tire shop within a few days)

[is all mememememe with me]

Originally Posted by ZappaFan

Its one of those little donut tires though.

when i was on the gear i had a few times where i had punctures and the spare was one of those donut things. i'd put it on and get on with it cuz i'd rather spend all my money on drugs at the time. pretty sure i got well over a month on some of them. you shouldn't go too crazy really cuz they are thinner than a normal tyre and so don't have the same grip, making your breaking distance longer. if you're an experienced driver tho and don't go tearing down the road at 90 then you should be ok for a while.

car companies so stitch you up now tho huh? i never even saw one of them things till like 8/10 years ago.

another option if you're broke tho, get a cheap wheel from a scrap yad for like 5/10 bucks. you can usually find a pretty decent one in there that'll give you at least 6 months. or, its pretty damn easy to steal a wheel off a parked car. takes like 5 minutes. if you got a few friends with ya, just undo all the nuts and bounce the car till the wheel falls off.