Getting a flat tire is one thing a majority of the motorists on the roadway today absolutely dread. Not only is it a hassle to deal with but it also means you might be driving around with a spare tire for the next few days. Aside from that inconvenience, you will also have to replace your damaged tire as soon as possible, which can be costly and something you didn’t exactly factor into your monthly budget. Because a new tire can be expensive and something not everyone can afford the day they get a flat, many opt to ride around on their spare tire until the funds become available for them to purchase a new one.
However, while spare tires are convenient and allow you to continue on with your trip rather than being stuck without a vehicle, there are a few things you should know about riding on one.
- You cannot drive fast when riding on a spare tire. These types of tires were not made to handle the same wear and tear your average tire can which means you have to go easy on them. Nationwide says you should “never let your speed exceed 50 miles an hour when you’ve got a spare on your car.”
- Don’t plan to drive on your spare tire for too long. Nationwide says that spare tires were “built only as a substitute to get you safely to a place where you can get your tire repaired,” which means they aren’t to be driven on a day to day basis. The fact is, these tires weren’t built to sustain on long trips or used for days on end so it would be best to get your blown tire replaced as soon as possible.
- Spare tires can lead to more wear and tear on your vehicle. Because spare tires are much smaller than the average size tire you have on your vehicle, driving on this type of tire can “wear out your full-sized tires faster.” Not only that, but it can “throw your car out of alignment” which means you could end up having to spend more later on down the road on a new set of tires as well as an alignment for your vehicle.
Aside from being cognizant of how long you drive on a spare, there are some other things you need to keep in mind so that if you ever need to rely on it again, it is safe to use. You see, spare tires, like all other tires, need to be checked regularly and may even need to be replaced. According to Consumer Reports, your spare will lose air pressure over time which means you need to check it just as much as you would your other tires. The last thing you would want to find in your trunk is a flat spare tire after experiencing a tire blowout on the highway. Nationwide also highlighted that a driver may need to replace their spare tire after having it for eight years or sooner depending on what the vehicle’s owner manual stipulates.
While you may have no choice but to drive on a spare for one, two, or even three days, it is important that you keep these tips in mind so that you don’t put your life at risk. While a spare tire is easy to replace, a life is not. Now, if your blown tire led to a wreck in Nashville, TN which has led to a significant amount of damage, consider contacting Nashville, TN car wreck lawyer George R. Fusner Jr. Our firm will work to ensure your damage is compensated for while you focus on recovering from the traumatic accident you recently experienced.
You can reach the Law Office of George R. Fusner, Jr. at
7104 Peach Court
Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone- 615-251-0005
Fax- 615-370-8447
