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Nobody likes dealing with a flat tire on the side of the highway. But if you have the proper equipment and know-how, you can replace your tire and be on your way in no time.

But once you’re on the road there are some important things to know about driving on that spare tire. Luckily, there’s no need to panic. While there is a lot of conflicting information out there about spare tires, our answers to the following questions act as a helpful guide.

How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

A temporary spare tire is meant to be just that — a temporary bandage to get you off the road and to the repair shop.

Many vehicles are equipped with space-saving emergency spare tires — more commonly known as a ‘donut’ tire. These tires were introduced to help reduce the overall weight of the vehicle. They look visibly smaller than the other four tires on your car and will have an entirely different tread.

Spare donut tires are only meant as a temporary stop-gap measure to get you safely from the treacherous side of the highway back home, or to the repair shop where a technician can replace it. If you travel with a temporary spare tire more than the recommended number of miles, they can cause all manner of damage to your vehicle — from suspension and timing issues to wreaking havoc on your gears and clutch.

Many cars, trucks and Sports Utility Vehicles still come with full-sized tire replacements. If you have a full-sized replacement in your trunk, the driving range is an entirely different story.

However, introducing a new full-sized tire into your rotation will have an impact on the alignment and balance of the other three tires. So, you will still want to get to a professional as soon as possible to make sure it doesn’t cause additional damage to your ride.

How Far Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

Temporary, ‘donut’ spares are only safe to travel about 50 miles before needing to be replaced. After that, they can become a danger to you and other motorists.

Full-sized spare tires can be driven for longer. But you’re still going to want to address the problem sooner than later, and make sure all four tires are in alignment. 

How Fast Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

If you are driving on a small temporary tire, the short answer is about 50 mph. Remember, these tires are only meant as an emergency measure to get you off the side of the highway. So go slow and keep your hazard lights flashing to alert other motorists of your situation. 

If you have a properly-inflated, full-sized tire, you should be able to handle road conditions in a similar manner than before you suffered the flat. But keep in mind that the tire has not worn in the same manner as the other three tires. If you have replaced the tire yourself, it is likely it is at least slightly out of balance — so the handling in your vehicle may have changed. Be careful and don’t push it.

How Do You Change a Spare Tire?

Each vehicle’s spare tire solution is different, so it makes sense to know how your car is set up and to have a plan in the event of an emergency.

First, know where your spare tire is located. Some sedans have the tire in a hidden compartment in the trunk. SUVs may have the spare mounted on the rear hatchback. Many trucks have the spare located under the rear bed — and may have a special lowering mechanism to release it.

To understand how to remove your spare tire in the case of an emergency, consult your owner’s manual, and go through a dry run to ensure nothing is rusted into place and all components are working properly.

Next, you’ll want to make sure you have the tools necessary to get the job done. An emergency kit is a highly recommended resource for any motor vehicle. In addition to keeping important safety equipment like roadside lights or flares, flashlights, gloves and visibility vests, you will want to include all the tools necessary to remove the old wheel and replace it — including a car jack, lug wrench and replacement lug nuts.

Are There Different Types of Spare Tires?

Not all vehicles come with a spare, so the first question you should ask is whether your car is equipped with a spare tire.

Most vehicles are equipped with a spare, but a minority of automobiles have tire repair and inflation kits instead. While these are useful in certain situations, they will not be able to help in the event of a full tire blowout.

Once you find the spare, it is important to determine whether your vehicle is equipped with a full-sized or temporary donut-style spare. Luckily, this step is simple — if the tire is the same size and rated with the same information on the wall of the tire, you are working with a full-sized replacement.

Temporary tires can have drastically different pressure requirements. Because they are smaller, they are often inflated rated for to 60 PSI, while most regular tires are in the 30-45 PSI range. Check the tire’s sidewall, your owner manual or door jamb to find the specific information on the spare tire in your trunk.