Can a spare tire of the same size be used normally?
2 Answers
A spare tire of the same size can be used normally. Precautions for using a spare tire: Even if unused for a long time, spare tires need replacement when expired: Tires stored for too long will age, with the general aging period being 4 years. Therefore, around the 4-year mark, a thorough inspection is needed to check if the tire has aged. Regularly inspecting the spare tire is also part of routine maintenance: Spare tire inspection mainly involves checking tire pressure, wear, and cracks. Before the tread wears down to the wear indicator line, the tire should be replaced as soon as possible. Spare tires should not be used for extended periods: Due to differences in production times between spare tires and original tires, factors like aging, hardening, lifespan, and deformation vary, making prolonged use unsafe. After emergency use, the spare tire should be promptly replaced with the original factory tire.
Last time I had a flat tire on the highway, I used the spare tire and learned a valuable lesson—spare tires come in two types: full-size and compact. A full-size spare has exactly the same specifications as the original tire and can be used normally. However, if it's a compact spare (that smaller temporary tire), it's only for emergency use. You shouldn't exceed 80 km/h, and it's best not to drive more than 50 km on it. These compact spares have much poorer grip compared to regular tires, so you need to take turns extra slowly, and never risk driving fast in the rain. I once saw a neighbor using a compact spare as a regular tire for three months—the sidewalls ended up cracked from wear, which is so dangerous! After emergency use, make sure to replace it with a full-size tire as soon as possible.
