It’s a great idea to keep a donut spare in your vehicle, in case you get a blow out or flat on the road. A donut is enough to get you to the mechanic for a replacement, meaning you won’t have to pay for towing. You shouldn’t drive further than 70 miles on a donut. Now you know about donut tires, I know you’re asking: will a donut tire fit any car?
Key Takeaways
- Donut tires come in different designs and sizes.
- Look at your vehicle owner’s manual and ask your mechanic to find out what kind of donut tire you need.
- Donut tires are only for emergencies. You shouldn’t drive any further than 70 miles on this kind of spare tire.
Will My Donut Tire Fit on Any Car?
Donut tires are versatile, but a given donut unfortunately won’t fit on absolutely every car. You need to find a donut tire size that fits your type of vehicle. So, you won’t be able to use a donut tire meant for a small car on a truck, for example.
Each donut spare model is made to fit specific kinds of vehicles. They’ll have a unique design and parts meant to work with a particular vehicle.
It can be dangerous to use a donut tire not designed for your type of vehicle.
Donut spares often come with higher air pressure, up to 60 PSI. That is higher than you would find on a typical tire. This makes it even more important that you get the right donut size for your vehicle.
If you’re not sure of the right donut tire for your car, talk to your mechanic.
RELATED: Where Can I Buy a Donut Spare Tire?
Is it Possible to Repair the Donut Spare?
You’ll remember I just talked about how donut tires are only meant for emergencies. They’re not meant to keep for a long time, and it can be dangerous to try to repair one of these tires and then drive on it.
So, once you’ve used a donut tire once, you need to discard it and get a new one to keep in your car as a spare.
As they’re designed to just be spared, donut tires are lower quality than ordinary tires. The rubber is thinner and they have much less tread.
They’re also lighter weight. They are much more likely to get damaged quickly.
So, don’t try using a tire patching kit on a donut spare. That could create a dangerous situation.
Can I Add Air to My Donut Spare?
You should occasionally check the air pressure (PSI) on your spare donut tire to make sure it will be safe to go if you need to use it.
Find out the recommended PSI on your donut tire, and check it a few times a year.
On most donut tires, the standard recommended air pressure is 60 PSI. Make sure you check your owner’s manual to find out the right PSI for your specific donut tire, though.
So the answer is yes, if you ever find that your donut spare needs more air, you should add more air to it. But make sure to follow all the instructions that come in the owner’s manual.
Does My Car Have a Specific Spare Tire Type?
You should check your owner’s manual and maybe ask your mechanic to find out what the right kind of spare tire is for your car.
It’s important to use the right kind of spare tire. Any discrepancy in the nut position, size, or load of the car can make that specific tire unsafe for you to use.
How Long Will a Donut Spare Tire Last?
Even if you never use your donut spare tire, it still has an expiration date. That is because rubber degrades and other problems develop over time.
Generally speaking, you should replace an unused spare tire at least every 6 to 8 years. It’s dangerous to use any kind of tire that is older than 10 years old.
In terms of how long you can drive on a donut tire, you shouldn’t drive on this kind of tire any further than 70 miles.
Remember, you should only use a donut spare in emergencies, so that you can get to a mechanic without having to call a tow truck.
What Should I Do If I Don’t Have a Spare Tire?
If you don’t have a spare tire and you get a blow out or flat tire, you can try to use a tire patching kit.
If you have a repair kit available, you will be able to use this to fix punctures. You should closely follow the instructions that come with the kit.
Keep in mind that this is a temporary fix. You will still need to bring your vehicle in to get a replacement tire.
You should stop regularly to make sure that you’re maintaining the right tire pressure. You should find out the appropriate PSI for your tires when you purchase them.
So No, One Donut Tire Won’t Fit Every Kind of Vehicle
Keeping a donut spare in your vehicle is a smart move. It helps you to replace a blown out tire and get to safety to replace that tire, without having to call in a tow for the vehicle.
Donut tires are lightweight and easy to store compared to traditional tires. Find out which sizes of donut spares are right for your vehicle, so that you stay safe on the road.