Getting a flat is annoying. Getting the spare on is the easy part, and honestly, most people stop thinking once the wheel is bolted up. But what kind of spare you have, how fast you can drive on it, and how old it is matter just as much.
This guide covers the spare itself. If you want the full walkthrough of the tire change, start with our step-by-step guide to changing a flat tire.
From my own experience: My Toyota Corolla GLi has a full-size spare, so I’ve never had to deal with a donut’s speed and distance limits. The sections on donut spares, run-flats, and AWD cars come from manufacturer guidance and research, not from driving on one myself. Always check your own owner’s manual.
How to Put On a Spare Tire: The Short Version
The details are in the main flat tire guide. Here’s the order:
- Pull over somewhere flat and away from traffic. Hazards on, parking brake set. If you’re on a busy highway with no room, call for help instead.
- Get out the spare, jack, and lug wrench. Put wedges against the tires that stay on the ground.
- Loosen the lug nuts a little while the flat is still on the ground.
- Jack up the car at the point your manual shows. Go high enough that the inflated spare will fit, which is more than you’d need for a flat.
- Take off the nuts and the flat, mount the spare, and thread the nuts on by hand.
- Lower the car and tighten the nuts in a star pattern.
- Check the spare’s pressure, pack up, and re-tighten the nuts after about 50 miles.
If You’re Changing It at Night
Darkness makes everything harder, and the biggest risk is other drivers not seeing you. Park somewhere lit if you can, keep your hazards on, and set out reflective triangles or flares behind the car if you have them. Prop a flashlight or your phone light so you can see the lug nuts, the jack point, and the ground around your feet. If you can’t see well enough to place the jack properly, wait for help.
Check the Spare Before You Drive Off
Compact donut spares usually need much more air than a normal tire. Some sit around 60 PSI, but don’t take that number as given. The right figure is on the spare’s sidewall or in your owner’s manual.
Then put everything away. Loose tools rolling around the cargo area are a hazard in a sudden stop.
About 50 miles later, re-tighten the lug nuts. Wheels can settle after being mounted, and it takes two minutes.
How Fast and How Far Can You Drive on a Spare?
A spare isn’t the same as the tire it replaced. Find out which type you have before you get back on the road.
Compact “Donut” Spare
This is the small, narrow one. It’s meant to get you to a tire shop, not to be driven on for weeks. Most manufacturers limit it to around 50 mph and somewhere in the region of 50 to 70 miles, though the exact figures are printed on the spare or in your manual.
Because it’s a different size from your other tires, the car can handle and brake a little differently. On some vehicles it can also set off ABS or traction control warnings. Drive gently and go straight to a shop.
Full-Size Spare
It looks like a normal tire, but don’t assume it’s identical. The tread pattern, wear, or specs may differ from your other tires. Check your manual before treating it as a permanent replacement.
Run-Flat Tires
Some cars don’t carry a spare at all, because the tires are built to keep going for a limited distance after losing air. The allowed speed and distance depend on the tire, so follow the maker’s limits and get it inspected soon.
| Spare Type | Typical Use | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Compact donut | Short trip to a repair shop | Limited speed and distance |
| Full-size spare | Temporary replacement | Tread or wear may differ |
| Run-flat tire | Limited driving after air loss | Follow the tire and vehicle limits |
AWD, 4WD, and Sports Cars
All-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive cars are fussy about tire size. A donut has a different rolling diameter from your other three tires, and that can strain the drivetrain. Some manufacturers set stricter limits on these cars, and some say to avoid highway speeds altogether. Read your manual.
Many sports and performance cars have no spare. They use run-flats or come with a sealant kit and a small compressor instead.
Trucks and bigger SUVs often carry the spare underneath, lowered with a crank. Work out how yours works while it’s sunny and there’s no traffic around, not on the roadside.
Keeping Your Spare Ready
The spare lives out of sight, so it’s easy to forget. Every few months, check:
- Air pressure. Spares lose air even when they’re never used.
- Cracks or dry rot. Rubber ages sitting in the dark.
- That it’s actually there. A previous owner may have used it and never replaced it.
- That you have the tools, including the wheel-lock key if your wheels use locking nuts.
How Old Is Too Old?
A spare can age out without touching a road. Look at the sidewall for a four-digit code after “DOT.” The first two digits are the week and the last two are the year, so “3623” means the 36th week of 2023. Many mechanics suggest replacing a spare somewhere around 6 to 10 years, even if it looks fine. Check what your car’s manufacturer says.
Common Spare Tire Mistakes
- Driving too fast on a donut. Stick to the limit printed on it.
- Forgetting about the original flat. The spare is a stopgap, not a fix.
- Not checking the spare’s pressure. A low spare is as bad as no spare.
- Skipping the lug nut re-check after the first 50 miles.
- Never looking at the spare’s age. Old rubber fails.
When to Call for Help Instead
Knowing how to change a tire doesn’t mean you should always do it. Call roadside assistance if:
- You can’t get safely away from moving traffic
- The ground is soft, sloped, or unstable
- More than one tire is damaged
- The spare is missing, flat, or damaged
- A lug nut won’t budge without excessive force
- The weather or darkness makes it unsafe
- You’re just not comfortable doing it beside the road
Check whether roadside help is already included with your car insurance or from the manufacturer. Many people are covered and don’t know it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I drive on a spare tire?
It depends on the type. Compact donuts are meant for a short trip to a shop, often around 50 miles or so. Check the spare and your manual for the exact limit.
Can I take a spare on the highway?
A donut usually has a lower speed limit than your normal tires, so avoid highways if you can. Follow the maximum speed shown on the spare.
Why did warning lights come on after I fitted the spare?
A donut can be a different diameter from your other tires, which changes the wheel-speed readings some systems use. That can trigger ABS or traction control lights. Follow your manual and get the original tire sorted quickly.
Is it safe to use an old spare?
Not always. Check the date code and look for cracks or dry rot before relying on it.
Can I put the repaired tire back on the car?
If a qualified tire shop says the damage is repairable, yes. Never refit a tire with damage beyond a simple repair, such as a sidewall gash.
Can a spare go on backward?
Some tires are directional and must spin the right way. Check the markings on the tire and your manual before driving.
Final Thoughts
Putting on a spare is a manageable job when you have a safe place and the right kit. What catches people out is what comes afterward: knowing your spare’s limits, keeping to them, and getting the original tire fixed. A few minutes checking the spare now saves a lot of stress later.
