HOW LONG CAN YOU DRIVE ON A SPARE TIRE?


A spare tire is an invaluable asset when you run over a nail or sustain a flat for any other reason. It prevents you from waiting on the side of the road in East Dubuque, IL or the surrounding areas for the local tow company to show up, which saves (potentially) hours of frustration and helps you remain safe. If you recently asked yourself, "How long can I drive on a spare tire?" the answer depends on the type of spare you're working with. Learn the longevity of different spare tires with the service team at McGrath Chevrolet of Dubuque! Our team is also here to install new, non-spare tires on your vehicle!

HOW LONG CAN YOU DRIVE ON A SPARE TIRE: SPACE-SAVER SPARE

Also known as a donut spare, a space-saver spare tire comes with most new vehicles and is smaller than average car tires. A space-saver spare (unsurprisingly) conserves room in your trunk, but is a temporary remedy exclusively. These spares include several guidelines to avoid safety issues while driving through Davenport, IL, Platteville, WI, or anywhere else:

  • Space-saver spares cannot be driven over 50 miles per hour
  • They do not provide as much traction as regular tires or full-size spares
  • Donut tires should not be driven for more than 70 miles

HOW LONG CAN YOU DRIVE ON SPARE TIRE: RUN-FLAT TIRE

A run-flat tire is designed to maintain pressure despite a puncture by a nail or any other sharp road debris. Run-flat tires are stronger than other spare tires due to reinforced sidewall construction that supports the tire even after it's losing air, and are known as self-supporting tires. There are also run-flat tires with support ring systems featuring interior hard rubber rings, which keep the tires operational following punctures. Other facts to note about run-flat tires include:

  • They stay inflated for about 50 miles following a puncture
  • They are often more expensive than a standard tire
  • Driving over 50 miles is not recommended, as the tire will lose integrity and deflate

HOW LONG CAN YOU DRIVE ON A SPARE TIRE: FULL-SIZE SPARE

These spare tires often come with new SUVs and trucks, and are the same size as the other tires. However, they are usually not the same brand, which creates traction and handling challenges. Full-size spare tires also:

  • Do not feature the same amount of wear as other tires, which can cause further handling problems
  • Are not meant to go beyond the 50-mile mark

SCHEDULE TIRE SERVICES WITH MCGRATH CHEVROLET OF DUBUQUE!

Now you have answered "How long can I drive on a spare tire?". If you need new tires or other tire services at any time, such as tire rotation, rely on our expert technicians! Call (563) 275-3768 to make an appointment and be sure to review our tire rebate offers and other service specials!