Guidelines for driving on temporary tires

You’re driving down the interstate late at night when you run over a piece of debris and your tire goes flat. When you open the trunk and move the luggage, you discover that the spare tire is flat.

What now?

“Temporary tires are often stored under vehicles, in the trunk or somewhere else exposed to the elements,” Dan Zielinski, senior vice president of public affairs for the Rubber Manufacturers Association. “They need to be properly maintained so they are ready when you need them.”

Temporary tires aren’t built as sturdily as the standard tires, he added. They aren’t steel-belted, and they don’t have the same durability and speed capability of a regular tire.

“They’re a good stopgap measure for a short time,” he said. “They are only meant to be used in emergency situations to get you to an automotive repair shop or tire dealer to have a damaged tire repaired or replaced.”

Maintaining temporary spare tires is as important as following the guidelines for driving on them.

Zielinski said the places they are stored—including trunks, outside and under the vehicle—exposes them to a lot of heat and the elements. Using temporary tires properly and keeping them pressurized ensure that they can be kept for a long time.

“If they’re stored underneath, something can bounce up and damage them,” Zielinski said. “Take a look a couple of times per year and put air in it.”

Some 70 percent of people never check their spare tires for air, Zielinski estimated. The Rubber Manufacturer’s Association recommends checking pressure on all tires including the spare about once a month.

Underinflated tires – 50 percent or less of their recommended pressure – are easily damaged by the stress on them and the added heat buildup. Full-size spare tires also need to be checked for pressure and should be included in the vehicle’s tire rotation schedule.

“Trying to use a temporary tire in place of a full-size tire is going to end badly, because it’s just not designed for that,” Zielinski said.

What should drivers know about maintaining temporary tires? Zielinski had the following suggestions:

• Limit vehicle speed to 50 mph. The smaller size of temporary tires makes driving at faster speeds hazardous.

• Avoid quick maneuvers and cornering wherever possible. Temporary tires simply do not handle as well as full-sized tires. Temporary tires usually have a basic tread pattern and can be used in wet surfaces, but the pattern and size is not built for speed or maneuvering.

• Check your temporary tire for information on mileage. In general, temporary tires should not be driven for more than 50 to 100 miles.

• Do not use temporary tires as a replacement for full-sized standard tires designed for your specific vehicle. They are intended for emergency use only.

• Check temporary tire air pressure monthly and always before a road trip. Refer to your owner’s manual for details on recommended air pressure.