Were you really looking for how to change a spare tire? Don’t worry, we’ve got instructions for that!
HOW TO CHANGE A SPARE TIREMany, if not most, modern vehicles no longer come equipped with spare tires. This saves space and weight to increase efficiency. Check your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle includes one.
It’s something most drivers don’t think about until it’s too late. But spare tires are indispensable in times of need, giving them the power to safely drive to a service station on their own time rather than waiting for roadside service or dealing with spotty phone coverage.
We strongly urge you to consider investing in this safety feature.
WHERE CAN I BUY A SPARE TIRE FOR MY CAR?
America's Tire isn’t just a place for new tires and wheels. We also sell reliable spare tires at the best prices in the industry.
SHOP SPARE TIRESMost tire shops will carry spare tires. However, an increasing trend is to avoid the traditional temporary “donut” spare tire in favor of a full-sized tire that can be easily switched on your vehicle without any restrictions.
Spare tire recommendations
The most premium spare tire recommendation we can make is to purchase a spare of your currently equipped tire model and mount it on the same kind of wheel. This allows you to just pop on the wheel and tire unit and carry on your business after a tire failure. If you don’t have a full sized spare, you will need to drive or be towed to the nearest service station for repair or replacement.
Please note that you should check your tire’s balance at a reputable shop after installing any tire yourself. Properly balanced tires ensure seamless performance and increased safety.
America's Tire offers free tire balancing to our customers!
TIRE BALANCINGThe middle-of-the-road spare tire choice is to bundle an inexpensive and strong steel wheel like the Unique 83 or Liquid Metal Atom with an entry-cost (but safe) tire like the Sentury Touring, Mohave CUV or Sentury UHP (for full-size vehicles).
The generally least expensive spare tire option is to purchase and carry a “donut” spare tire. These are smaller, temporary tires that will be serviceable long enough to get you to a service station to make repairs to your original tire or buy a new one.
America's Tire does not typically keep “donut” spare tires and wheels in stock but can easily order them for you.
HOW LONG CAN I USE A SPARE TIRE?
For true temporary spare tires (a “donut”), do not exceed more than 50 miles at more than 50mph.
If your spare tire is a full-sized tire, then you can drive on it like your regular tires and replace it when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch, becomes damaged, or becomes too old.
We recommend replacing your spare tires every six years. After 10 years they are considered non-serviceable and should be replaced immediately.
It is also very important that you maintain your spare tire, just like your other tires. Don’t worry, we have an easy guide on spare tire maintenance. Remember, America's Tire offers a whole host of free, safety-related tire services, including rotations and air pressure checks.
We check the air in your spare (for FREE)!
TIRE SERVICESHOW MUCH IS A SPARE TIRE?
Temporary “donut” spare tires range in cost (due to size, performance, and brand, for example) from $50 to $200 and more.
If you choose to keep and maintain a full-sized tire, then it will cost as much as whatever tire you have purchased for the other four wheels. Costs of a full-size tire will depend on size, brand, model, and tire type (all-season, for example). Check out our tire price guide for more information. In general, full-size tires will cost anywhere from $80 and up per tire.
WHAT TYPE OF SPARE TIRE DO I NEED?
The type of spare tire you need depends upon your driving habits and the needs of your vehicle.
You may want the cost and weight savings of a temporary spare tire (a “donut”). Or, if you’d rather not take any chances, you may prefer to maintain and keep a full-size spare tire.
If you have a trailer, make sure that your spare trailer tire and wheel combination can effectively handle whatever you’re towing safely without sacrificing load index.
You may also consider run-flat tires. Run-flat tires are full-size tires that include interior construction which allows them to keep driving in the event of a puncture or flat for a certain distance, typically up to 50 miles at speeds of up to 50mph. This allows you to reach a service station safely without having to stop on the side of the road and change your tire. Many of the most trusted brands such as Continental, Pirelli and Bridgestone have run-flat options. Keep in mind they may be limited in sizing, however many newer car models come with them as original equipment. Check your vehicle manual to see if your ride has them already!
A quick note: run-flat tires are not the same as airless tires!
Ready to roll?
If you need a spare tire inspection, a new spare tire or wheel or even just some advice, feel free to contact us. Walk-ins are always welcome but we also encourage you to buy and make your appointment online first. Save time when you buy and book online!
For more information on this and other tire and wheel services, check out our YouTube Channel or reach out to us on X, Facebook and Instagram.