Must-know Facts About Car’s Spare Tyre (Speed Limit, etc.)

Your car’s spare tyre (that comes with the vehicle) is not the same as the other fitted to the wheels. I’m still reading on why they made it to be different from the ones on the wheels. The spare tyre (usually called “follow-come” or “donut spare tyre”) is not the same, not just in appearance but in some other important property and specifications.

Important facts to know about “donut” spare tyres

Many people don’t know that this tyre (spare) is different. By different, I don’t mean in appearance but also in performance and specs. Here are some of the things you should know about the spare tyre, so as to know how much work to subject it to when you use it next time.

1. The spare tyre has a speed limit

Most tyre manufacturers recommends a maximum speed limit of 80-85 km/h. This may be because some factory direct spare tyres have lighter construction. This is one fact you should take seriously.

2. Spare tyres (donut) are of lighter construction

As these spare tyres come with light construction, they may not be suitable for long-term use. You should just use them only when you have issues with the main tyres you have fitted. Remove the spare and replace with a new tyre as soon as you can. They are meant to help you in case of emergency so you can reach the nearest service station or Vulcanizer.

3. Recommended distance limit

It is recommended that you do not drive more than 50 miles (about 80 kilometres) on a “donut” spare tyre.

4. Air pressure must be around 60psi

The safe air pressure for a compact spare tyre is around 60 pounds per square inch (psi) pressure. Check once in awhile to be sure your spare tyre is not less than this in pressure. If it happens to be lesser, pump more air to bring it up to that level.

I’m sure many people miss the days when you could easily patch your defective tyre and throw it into the booth. This will serve as your spare for a long time. You wouldn’t even have to bother about the speed limits, recommended distance and all that. But the normal tyres won’t just fit into the space made for spare tyres in the booth these days.

Now that I think of it, do they make spare tyres smaller because of the small space in the trunk of cars or they make tyre compartment small because the tyre are made small? What do you think?