Where is the car spare tire located?

[Rocha]

Car spare tires are placed under the trunk mat; some vehicles have the spare tire mounted on the rear; others have it under the chassis. A car spare tire is a backup tire prepared for emergencies when the main tire encounters problems, allowing it to be used as a replacement. Most passenger cars come equipped with a spare tire, typically of the same specifications as the original tires. The spare tire is intended for emergency use only, not for long-term use. Regardless of whether the spare tire is wide or narrow, manufacturers have specific production and usage requirements. Since spare tires are not continuously used on the vehicle and do not undergo wear, an unworn tire differs significantly from a heavily worn one. Using a spare tire on the vehicle inherently carries certain safety risks.

[AlejandroMarie]

Car spare tires are so cleverly hidden nowadays! My SUV has its spare tire suspended under the rear chassis—you need a special tool to turn it a few times to lower it. Sedans usually tuck the spare under the trunk mat, just lift the felt lining to find it. Some rugged off-roaders take it to the extreme by mounting it directly on the tailgate, like a backpack. Older pickups preferred placing it in the cargo bed, secured with a chain. A friendly reminder: full-size spares are the most generous but space-consuming, while those skinny temporary spares are limited to 80 km/h—head straight to a tire shop when you see one. Spare tires oxidize over time, so check their pressure every five years.

[AniyahLynn]

I find the hidden locations of spare tires in different car models particularly fascinating. Last time when helping a friend with towing, I discovered his hatchback actually stored the spare tire under the rear seats! The mainstream position is still the trunk compartment, but some vehicles adopt hanging spare tires to save space. For vans, it's directly fixed to the chassis frame with steel cables. Important reminder: Always engage the parking brake, shift to P gear, and park on level ground before retrieving the spare. Never mix spare tires with regular tires - especially compact spares can confuse ABS systems, creating dangerous situations during emergency braking in rainy conditions.

[SanClaire]

An experienced car repair master shared three tips with me: In sedans, lifting the trunk floor will reveal the spare tire 90% of the time; for off-road vehicles, the spare is either mounted on the rear or strapped to the roof; while many new energy vehicles are the stingiest, often eliminating the spare tire altogether and only providing tire repair fluid. There are tricks to accessing the spare—either lift the trunk carpet to find the latch or get down to check if there’s a lowering mechanism under the chassis. Always wear gloves when handling, as the bolts under the car are covered in mud and grease. That small spare tire is just for emergencies—once installed, you must immediately head to a tire repair shop for a fix.

[AlanaMarie]

During my auto repair class, I've removed various spare tires in hands-on practice. Hatchbacks usually have the spare tire vertically tucked into the sidewall of the trunk, while sedans lay it flat on the floor of the trunk. SUVs like the Land Rover Discovery have the most unique design: when you open the rear hatch, the spare tire is horizontally embedded in the floor like a drawer. Important reminder: You need to empty the trunk to remove the spare tire, and it's best for women to ask for help. Last time, I encountered a car owner whose spare tire was completely stuck—the screws had rusted solid after seven years of inactivity, and we had to use an angle grinder to cut it off. Regular checks are absolutely crucial!