Tire Rotations Help Your Tires Last Longer, but How and When Should You Rotate Tires?Credit: http://www.gettyimages.com/license/170616498There is nothing that can ruin a road trip or an early morning faster than a flat tire. Fortunately, most vehicles come equipped with a spare, offering peace of mind when the unexpected happens. But while it may be tempting to treat that spare tire like a permanent fix, it's really meant to help you get safely to a repair shop, not continue driving as usual.Exactly how long you can drive on a spare tire depends on the type of spare your vehicle has. Knowing the difference could help you avoid damaging your car or putting yourself at risk on the road.Not All Spare Tires Are The SameThe first thing to know is that not every spare tire is designed for the same purpose. Many modern vehicles come with a temporary spare, often called a "donut." These compact tires save space and reduce vehicle weight, but they're built only for short-term use. According to Goodyear, most temporary spare tires should be driven for no more than about 50 miles and at speeds no greater than 50 mph. Exceeding either recommendation can increase the risk of tire failure and affect your vehicle's handling.AdvertisementAdvertisementSome trucks, SUVs, and older vehicles include a full-size spare tire instead. If the spare matches your other tires in size and condition, it can often be driven much longer. Have your damaged tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible so your vehicle maintains proper performance and you're prepared if another flat occurs.Why Temporary Spares Have LimitsA donut spare may look like a regular tire, but it's built very differently. Temporary spares are narrower, lighter, and made with less tread than standard tires. They're designed to get you off the side of the road and safely to a repair facility, not to withstand days of commuting or highway travel. Driving too fast or too far on a temporary spare can cause it to overheat, wear out prematurely, or even fail. It can also place extra strain on your vehicle's suspension, brakes, and drivetrain, particularly if you drive long distances or carry heavy loads. Because temporary spares are smaller than your regular tires, they can also affect steering, braking distances, and overall vehicle stability.Don't Forget About Your Spare TireEven if you've never used your spare tire, it doesn't last forever. Like any tire, rubber deteriorates with age. Heat, moisture, and changing temperatures can cause the tire to weaken over time.AdvertisementAdvertisementMany manufacturers recommend inspecting your spare whenever you rotate or service your regular tires, checking both the air pressure and the tire's overall condition. A spare with visible cracks, worn tread, or low air pressure may not perform safely when you need it most.What Drivers Say About Spare TiresMany drivers who have relied on a spare tire say the experience taught them one important lesson: Don't wait to replace your regular tire. In online discussions, drivers frequently mention that while they successfully drove farther than the recommended distance, they did so cautiously and only because they had no other option. Others share stories of donut tires wearing out quickly or making their vehicles feel unstable at highway speeds. The general consensus is simple: A spare tire is an emergency solution, not a long-term one.Get Back On The Road SafelyA spare tire is designed to get you out of a difficult situation, not keep you on the road indefinitely. If you have a temporary donut spare, limit your driving to about 50 miles and keep your speed under 50 mph unless your vehicle's owner's manual specifies otherwise. If you have a full-size spare, you have more flexibility, but it's still wise to repair or replace your damaged tire as soon as possible.Treat your spare as exactly what its name suggests: a backup plan. The sooner you return your vehicle to its normal set of tires, the safer and more comfortable your drive will be.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead the original article on Southern Living