Can a Spare Tire Be Used for a Long Time?
2 Answers
No, if a spare tire is not used for a long time, it will gradually age, leading to a significant decline in its safety performance. Therefore, spare tires are not suitable for long-term use, and their performance is also inferior to that of original tires. It is essential to regularly inspect the spare tire in daily life. Below is relevant information about car spare tires: 1. There are two types of spare tires for cars: full-size spare tires and non-full-size spare tires. A full-size spare tire matches the dimensions of the original tire, while a non-full-size spare tire is smaller than the original tire. However, both types of spare tires share one important consideration: their width may not necessarily match the original tire, and their performance may not be as good. Thus, the use of spare tires has limitations. 2. Generally, spare tire inspections mainly focus on checking tire pressure, wear, and cracks. If the tread wear reaches the wear indicator line, the tire should be replaced as soon as possible. If there are fine cracks on the tire sidewall, the spare tire should not be used for long-distance or high-speed driving, as the sidewall is thinner and more prone to blowouts at high speeds.
I once experienced a flat tire and drove on the spare tire for several days, only to find that the car didn't feel right—poor tire grip and strange noises. Later, at the repair shop, I learned that most spare tires are designed as temporary solutions, being smaller in size than standard tires, suitable only for short-distance emergencies and not for prolonged use. There's a good reason engineers design them this way: long-term use can lead to uneven wheel load distribution, causing extra wear on the suspension system and even affecting braking performance, posing significant safety risks. After learning this the hard way, I now immediately visit a professional shop to repair the original tire after replacing it with a spare, saving both hassle and money.
