Be Aware Of Your Spare

Does your vehicle have a spare tire? If you’re thinking, ‘I’m not sure’, chances are you may not have a spare or you’ve got one that needs attention.

Your spare tire is one of the most important accessories on your car or truck & it can often be the most neglected.

If you haven’t checked your spare tire before, it might not be useful when it comes to needing one. However, we’re here to help you review some general steps you should take to make sure your spare tire will be ready when disaster strikes:

Check On Your Tires

Just like you would your regular tires, you need to check on your spare tire’s air pressure. Most tires should read between 30 and 35 PSI. This could however change depending on the type of spare your vehicle is equipped with. A compact spare tire often referred to as a donut, could require as much as 60 PSI. Always check your vehicle’s manual and even ask our shop to make sure you’re following the appropriate inflation guidelines.

Check Your Spare’s Expiration Date

If your vehicle is equipped with a spare, you will need to consider a couple things. First, checking the manufacture date on the sidewall of the tire. It can be shocking to learn that tires do indeed have expiration dates, but that’s just to keep you safe! A tire that is older than six years old has a greater chance of failing. A spare tire can last as long as 10 years, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

The second thing you need to consider is the actual condition of your spare tire. In older vehicles,  the spare has often been used or is actually the old patched tire from a previous mishap on the road. Have us examine your vehicle’s tire for worn down tread, cracks, scarred side walls and even plugs. It may be time to replace your spare!

Get a Spare (If you don’t have one…)

If your vehicle doesn’t have a spare, it’s important that you take this seriously & consider getting a spare tire. You never know what will happen in the future & it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Now that you know the importance of a good spare tire or having one in general, you will want to follow some general rules to keep you safe. Remember that spare tires are only meant to be used in emergencies, not as your everyday tire. You really should only travel 50 miles at the most on a spare tire. You will also want to avoid the highway. There may even be limits on the speed in which you should go when using a spare tire.