You can generally drive on a spare tire for up to 50 miles, with a maximum speed limit of about 50 mph. This applies especially to compact temporary spares, often called "donut" spares, which are designed only for short-term emergency use to get you to a repair shop or a safe location for a proper tire replacement
. If absolutely necessary, some sources say you can extend this distance up to 70 miles, but it is not recommended to exceed this limit due to safety concerns and the limited durability of spare tires
. There are different types of spare tires with varying allowances:
- Compact (donut) spare tires: Recommended for no more than 50 miles and speeds under 50 mph. They have less traction and durability than regular tires and are meant only for temporary use
- Full-size spare tires: These are the same size as regular tires and can be driven on for longer distances and at normal speeds, but it's still advisable to replace the flat tire promptly to maintain consistent handling and tire wear
- Run-flat tires: These special tires allow driving up to about 50 miles at speeds up to 50 mph even after a puncture, providing extra convenience but are not a permanent solution
In summary, the safest practice is to limit driving on a spare tire to about 50 miles at a maximum speed of 50 mph and to replace or repair the original tire as soon as possible to avoid handling issues and potential tire failure. Full-size spares allow more flexibility but still require prompt attention
