You should generally drive no more than 50 miles on a temporary or "donut" spare tire, and avoid exceeding 70 miles if absolutely necessary. These space- saver spares are not designed for long-term use but to get you to a repair shop or a safe location
. The recommended maximum speed while driving on a spare tire is typically 50 mph to prevent overheating and maintain control
. Full-size spare tires, which are less common and often found on trucks and SUVs, can be driven longer than space-savers but still should be replaced as soon as possible because they may differ in tread and wear from your regular tires, affecting traction and handling
. In summary:
- Temporary/donut spare tire: max 50 miles recommended, no more than 70 miles if necessary
- Speed limit on spare: generally 50 mph max
- Full-size spare: can be driven farther but replace promptly
- Spare tires provide less traction and handling than regular tires and are a temporary solution only
Always check the tire sidewall for any specific restrictions and get your regular tire repaired or replaced promptly after using a spare