What is the purpose of a spare tire?
1 Answers
The purpose of a spare tire is to replace a damaged, flat, or blown-out tire, allowing the vehicle to continue driving safely within a limited speed range to a repair facility. Spare tires refer to the backup tires for cars, usually matching the specifications of the original tires. However, some vehicles use spare tires with special-colored rims, compact spares, foldable spares, or run-flat tires to remind owners to promptly inspect and replace faulty tires. Spare tires typically have a lower maximum speed limit than standard tires, and it is advisable to replace them with standard tires as soon as possible after reaching the destination. This is often indicated with prominent multilingual labels. Depending on the vehicle model, spare tires are usually placed in one of the following locations: under the trunk floor, mounted beneath the rear of the car, or attached to the exterior of the trunk door. For SUV models, spare tires are mostly mounted beneath the rear or attached to the exterior of the trunk door. Types of spare tires: Full-size spare tire: A full-size spare matches the specifications of the other four tires and can replace any temporarily or permanently unusable tire. Non-full-size spare tire: This type of spare has a slightly smaller diameter and width compared to the other four tires. It can only be used temporarily, must be installed on non-drive wheels, and has a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h. Run-flat tire: Also known as a safety tire (run-flat tire), these are commonly referred to as "anti-blowout tires" or, more accurately, "tires that can run while flat." Unlike regular tires, run-flat tires do not lose air or lose it very slowly when punctured, maintaining their shape and keeping the tire bead securely on the rim. This allows the car to continue driving for an extended period or temporarily to a repair station. Vehicles equipped with these tires do not need to carry a spare tire, effectively integrating the spare function into the four main tires. Precautions: Regular inspection: Check tire pressure, wear, and cracks. Replace tires before the tread wears down to the wear indicator line.
