Should the Spare Tire Be Installed on the Front or Rear Wheel?

[MacHolden]

Spare tires can be installed on either the front or rear wheels. Definition of a Spare Tire: A spare tire refers to the backup tire for a car, typically matching the specifications of the original tires. However, some vehicles may use spare tires with special-colored rims, compact spares, foldable spares, or run-flat tires to remind the owner to inspect and replace faulty tires promptly. Types of Spare Tires: Regularly inspect the spare tire, focusing on tire pressure, wear, and cracks. Replace the tire before the tread wears down to the wear indicator line. Avoid storing oil products near the spare tire, as rubber—the main component of tires—is highly susceptible to damage from oil exposure. Many car owners store lubricants and other oil products in the trunk, which can cause tire swelling and significantly reduce the tire's lifespan if they come into contact with the tire. Spare tires typically last about four years. It’s common for owners to discover that their spare tire has severely aged and become unusable after years of storage when they need it for a flat tire. Since tires are rubber products, prolonged storage leads to aging, with a general aging period of around four years. Avoid prolonged use of the spare tire, as it can negatively impact the vehicle's braking system, steering system, and suspension, posing safety risks and causing uneven wear on other tires in the same direction.

[McMarcus]

I've changed spare tires several times and have some experience. The spare tire should be installed on the rear wheel first! Because the front wheels handle steering and most of the braking force, the smaller spare tire has reduced grip and size, and installing it on the front wheel can easily cause loss of control during sharp turns. I once saw my neighbor install the spare tire on the front wheel, and it slid sideways into the guardrail when turning in the rain. If it's a rear tire blowout, it's much simpler—just move the intact front wheel to the rear position and install the spare tire on the now-empty front wheel position. But remember, the spare tire's maximum speed should not exceed 80 km/h, as clearly marked on it. It's even more complicated for full-time four-wheel-drive vehicles; you must follow the instructions in the manual.

[RosalieRose]

Last time I suffered a flat tire on a long trip, I learned the hard way: the spare tire must be installed on the rear wheel position! The principle is simple—the front wheels handle both steering and bear 70% of the braking force. Using a non-full-size spare tire can easily cause fishtailing. The spare tire on my SUV is 4 cm narrower than the original tire. A mechanic demonstrated the difference in installation—when the spare is on the front wheel, the steering wheel noticeably feels loose. Truck drivers all know that the risk of a front-wheel blowout is several times higher than a rear-wheel blowout for heavy vehicles. In fact, spare tires have warning labels printed on the sidewall, requiring installation on the rear drive wheel position.

[Jaxson]

From a vehicle engineering perspective, the key lies in load distribution. The steering wheels must ensure precise control - even a 5mm diameter difference can cause deviation. Full-size spare tires can be installed freely, but non-full-size spares are generally downsized. Experimental data shows: installing on front wheels increases steering force by 23% and extends braking distance by 15%. During my car modification tests, I measured significant vibration when a 195 spare tire was installed beside the original 215 front tire over speed bumps.

[ClaireFitz]

Twenty years of car repair experience: Non-full-size spare tires can only be installed on the rear axle. Two years ago, I handled an accident where the owner installed a 125-width spare tire on the steering wheel, and the car flipped into a ditch when taking a curve at 60 km/h. Nowadays, new cars come with tire pressure monitoring systems, which will trigger an alarm when a spare tire is installed. In such cases, the ESP anti-skid system should be turned off. Also, note that spare tires with aluminum alloy rims should not be installed on the drive wheels as they may not be strong enough and could crack.