In place of spare tires, some manufacturers aren’t using them at all. Your No Spare Option: A Tire Repair Kit A stashed air compressor can replenish lost air quickly. Clearly, only use a compact spare tire briefly before fixing your flat and mounting it back on the wheel. This can affect braking and handling, making it more difficult to stop and control the vehicle.Īn installed compact spare might also affect cars equipped with a rear differential, putting stress on this component. There are several disadvantages too, including compact spares simply do not have the same level of grip as conventional tires. From the consumer’s perspective, they’re easier to lift and install than conventional spare tires. Manufacturers like them because they fit in small or tight spaces, freeing up room for other storage.

Compact spares are designed for short drives and operated at speeds below 50 mph. Later, manufacturers developed already inflated compact spares requiring no inflation prior to mounting. The earliest compact spares were stored deflated, with a can of compressed carbon dioxide included for quick inflation. Although smaller than conventional tires, compact spares are a sufficient, but a temporary replacement for your other tires. It was sometime in the late 1980s or early 1990s, when Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) began substituting full size spares for smaller tires, typically known as compact or “donut” spares. Just remember to fix the flat before making it your new spare! On the other hand, changing a tire isn’t easy - they’re heavy and if you have to change it on the side of the road, you might put yourself and others in danger. The benefit of a full-size spare is that you can drive it at a normal speed and keep the spare on the wheel for as long as you want.

Practicing how to change a tire was a teen rite of passage, at least for those who anxiously awaited their driver’s license and perhaps purchased their first car. Such spares matched the other four tires and were usually included in tire rotation patterns, ensuring even wear amongst all five.įirst-time drivers learned how to change spares, finding a lug wrench and a scissor jack next to the spare.

Your No Spare Option: A Tire Repair Kitįor decades, manufacturers provided consumers with a full-size spare tire wrapped within a wheel.

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