Why can't a spare tire be used for a long time?
2 Answers
Spare tires and the tires normally used on vehicles have different speed ratings and load-bearing indicators. The maximum speed of a spare tire should not exceed 80 kilometers per hour, and the travel distance should not exceed 100 kilometers. Therefore, after replacing a faulty tire with a spare tire on the road, it is best to go to a car repair shop as soon as possible to replace it with a normal tire. Here are some precautions for using a spare tire: 1. Regularly inspect the spare tire: The inspection mainly includes checking the tire pressure and looking for any wear and cracks. The tire should be replaced as soon as possible once the tread wears down to the wear indicator line. If there are fine cracks on the tire sidewall, it should not be used for long-distance or high-speed driving, as high-speed driving can easily cause a blowout. 2. Do not store oil products with the spare tire: The main component of tires is rubber. If the owner stores lubricants and other oil products in the trunk, once these oils come into contact with the tire, they will cause the tire to swell and corrode, greatly reducing the tire's service life. If the tire gets stained with oil, it should be cleaned with a neutral detergent promptly. 3. The lifespan of a spare tire is about 4 years: Since tires are rubber products, they will age if stored for too long. Generally, the aging period for tires is about 4 years.
Last time I was on a business trip, I had a flat tire and drove on the spare tire for two days before rushing to the repair shop. Spare tires are usually smaller in size and made of inferior materials, so they wear out much faster if used for a long time. It's even more dangerous on highways—spare tires can't withstand continuous high-temperature friction and might blow out halfway. Plus, spare tires require higher air pressure, which can easily damage the suspension system. I know a friend who tried to save money by using a spare tire for a long-distance trip, only to end up deforming the other tires due to uneven stress. Now, whenever I switch to a spare, I head straight to the repair shop without delay. Safety comes first, after all. A spare tire is just for emergency use, not as a permanent replacement.
