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Most cars are equipped with a spare tire for those inconvenient instances when a blowout or other damage occurs. Whether you change the tire yourself or call on a towing service professional to switch it out for you, there’s a limit to how long that spare will last on your vehicle. This time frame all depends on the type of tire you have—take a look at some of the particulars below to determine how long you can drive on your spare. 

What Type of Spare Tire Do You Have?

Generally, there are two different types of spare tires. You may have a full-size spare that’s just like one of your regular tires, or your car may have a space-saver model, also known as a donut. Most passenger cars will have a donut, which is smaller in height and width than a regular tire. If you’re driving a truck or SUV, your vehicle might be equipped with a full-size spare. If you don’t have a spare tire at all, you’ll want to call a towing service right away.

How Long Can Your Spare Tire Be Used?

towing servicesIf your car is equipped with a full-size spare tire, you can probably drive on it for as long as you like. However, you’ll want to make sure that this tire is the same type as the other tires on your vehicle. Remember to repair your flat as quickly as possible, so you can once again have a spare just in case. 

Donut tires will need to be replaced much more quickly than a full-sized spare. A good rule of thumb is to avoid driving on your donut for more than 70 miles and at any speeds above 50 miles per hour. Your donut doesn’t have a lot of tread and is not built for long-term use; using it for too long might leave you requiring a towing service again. You can find the specific guidelines on the donut’s rim.

 

Are you stranded without a functioning spare tire? Give A1 Towing Cincinnati a call at (513) 602-5493. They provide 24/7 towing services for Cincinnati, OH, and the surrounding areas. Their experienced staff also offers roadside assistance to anyone in need. You can learn more about the services they offer on their website.

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