Spare Tire

Extra car tires for safety

We’ve all been there – you’re driving along and suddenly you hear a loud pop or blowing sound. The next moment, your car is making unearthly noises and is running badly, causing you to pull over and discover that the culprit is a flat tire. Flat tires are annoying and dangerous, but they’re part of driving in the country, in cities and on highways. Luckily, a flat tire doesn’t have to be a costly problem with the inclusion of a spare tire in your car emergency kit.

Spare tires are generally included with the purchase of every vehicle, but these tires are often only temporary fixes. These “doughnut” tires have a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour and are meant to stand up only to short emergency drives, failing after approximately 25 miles. They won’t do if you are far away from home when you have a blowout.

Most punctures on the road can be fixed with tire slime or a tire patch, meaning that your existing tire can be saved. It’s still good practice to buy a full-sized tire that can be mounted on your vehicle using a spare tire carrier, for the times when your tire can’t be saved. It will increase the weight of your vehicle, but will also prevent you from spending money later on at the auto center. To protect your spare tire, spare tire covers can keep the rain, wind and snow off it, making it last longer.

Changing a tire is a relatively simple procedure. When you experience a flat, use a car jack to raise your car high enough that the tire can be taken off. Most cars will tell you in the owner’s manual where to place the jack; if you’re not sure, look for a notch just in front of the wheel well, placed there by the manufacturer as a guide for a tire jack. Remove your tire’s hub cap and crank the jack until your tire is lifted off the ground. Loosen the lug nuts (you may need help for this) and change the tire.

If you just need to re-inflate your tire on the go, a mini air compressor allows you to inflate your tire quickly, within two or three minutes. These compressors are a helpful addition to car emergency tool kits.

If you have a bicycle, a flat tire may be caused by a hole in your tire’s inner tube. A tire iron allows you to access and patch the hole. Once the hole is fixed and the tire is re-inflated, it should work fine – you shouldn’t have to buy a new tire at all.

Tires are expensive, but they are essential to driving. Keep a good spare tire on hand, and the next time you experience a flat, your stress will be lessened.

Why Are Spare Tires Essential for Driving?

  • They allow you to change your tire without buying a new one.
  • They are stronger and last longer than a temporary tire.

Things to Consider When Buying Spare Tires

  • How much room do you have in your car? Will you also need a spare tire mount or carrier?
  • How big are the tires that you already have? Match your spare tire carefully to your car.
  • Will you also need a jack or mini air compressor?

Top Spare Tire Brands

  • Goodyear tires
  • Michelin tires
  • Bridgestone tires