Can a Spare Tire Be Driven for 200 Kilometers?
2 Answers
Full-size spare tire: 200 kilometers. Non-full-size spare tire: 30-50 kilometers. Steps for replacing a spare tire: 1. Place a warning sign: Before changing the tire, park the car on the side of the road in a place that does not affect public traffic, engage the handbrake, turn on the hazard lights, and place a triangular warning sign 100 meters behind the car; 2. Prepare the spare tire and tools: Take out the spare tire and tools, the spare tire is fixed with bolts, remove the bolts first; 3. Loosen the wheel hub bolts: Use a cross socket wrench to loosen the bolts on the wheel hub, clockwise is tightening, counterclockwise is loosening; 4. Jack up the car: Place the jack properly and lift the side where the tire needs to be changed; 5. Remove the tire: Remove the previously loosened bolts, take them off diagonally to distribute the force evenly, preventing stress concentration and damaging the threads, then remove the tire; 6. Install the spare tire: Mount the spare tire onto the wheel hub, tighten the bolts diagonally, lower the jack, and tighten the bolts again.
I also used to think that a spare tire could be used for long-distance driving just like a regular tire, but in reality, it's only designed for temporary emergency use and is meant for short distances. Most spare tires come with strict limitations: speed should not exceed 80 km/h, and the distance should ideally be kept within 50 to 80 kilometers. Driving 200 kilometers is too risky because spare tires have thinner treads and less durable materials. Prolonged high-speed driving can easily cause the tire to overheat, burst, or develop bulges, which can compromise braking performance and safety. I once saw a friend drive 100 kilometers on a spare tire, only for it to wear out completely, forcing them to stop urgently for repairs. My advice is to head to the nearest repair shop as soon as you switch to a spare tire—either to replace it with the original or to get the flat fixed. Don’t prioritize convenience or cost savings over safety; nothing is more important than that.
