Spare tires can get you out of unpleasant spots and prevent the need for vehicle towing or roadside assistance when your car suffers a flat. Although they’re designed to help you safely get from one destination to the next, they aren’t meant to be permanent tires. In that case, how long can you drive your vehicle when it’s running on a spare? Here are three common types of spares and how you should approach driving with each.

A Look at Three Common Types of Spares

Donut Spares

Also known as a temporary spare, donuts are included in most automobiles. They’re smaller than the tires on your vehicle, so they don’t utilize nearly as much trunk space and are light enough for most drivers to handle. The temporary spare is designed to work well with your existing set of tires, but don’t necessarily provide the same degree of reliable handling that you’d experience with a full-size spare. For that reason, they should only be driven for short periods — and ideally to a garage or roadside assistance provider that can replace it promptly so that you can get back on the road safely.

Full-Size Spares

Many old vehicles were equipped with full-size spare tires. Issues such as lack of trunk space and fuel economy took precedence, however, and many auto manufacturers replaced these with smaller tires that took up less room. The full-size spare is essentially a replica of the car’s other tires. Some may not match exactly because they’re lighter in weight to put less load in the trunk. The advantage of these tires is that you can usually drive on them for significantly longer than other types of spares.

Run-Flats

An increasing number of luxury car manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz® and BMW®, have omitted the spare tire entirely. Instead, they equip cars with run-flat tires. These tires designed to handle most common road hazards, such as punctures. The vehicle will typically notify you if a tire is losing air pressure. You’ll need to reduce your speed for safety, but a run-flat tire can drive for approximately 50 miles while you make your way to a roadside assistance provider or mechanic.

If you have to deal with a flat tire, trust the professionals at OHS Towing in Columbia Falls, MT. These towing experts are proud to offer 24-hour services so that they’re available when you need them the most. In addition to their tow services, they also offer roadside assistance and jumpstarts. Visit them online to find out more, or call them at (406) 892-1600.