Temp Spare Tire Size

A temporary spare is a crucial additional tire that sits in a motor vehicle to replace a flat tire, handle a blowout, or manage other emergencies. It's called a spare tire, but it's actually an entire wheel with a mounted tire, as fitting a tire to a wheel would require extra, specialized equipment. However, some spare tires, known as "space-saver" or "donut" types, are not suitable for long distances and have a maximum speed of around 50 mph.

When replacing a damaged tire, placing the compact spare on a non-drive axle will prevent damage to the drivetrain. Conversely, if placed on a drivetrain axle, the smaller-diameter tire can stress the differential, causing damage and reducing handling.

Types of Temp Spare tires

Full-size matching spare tires and wheels require ample storage space but offer great versatility. Today's spare tires are often temporary spare designs, intended to get the vehicle to a qualified tire service provider for repair or replacement.

Full-size temporary spare tires and wheels match the vehicle's original tire dimensions but typically feature lighter-weight construction and shallower tread depth. While most vehicles come with alloy wheels, full-size temporary spares usually have steel wheels. Hence, you should only use them as spares.

On the other hand, temporary/compact spare tires are physically smaller than the vehicle's standard tires and wheels. So, they require higher inflation pressures and feature lighter-weight construction and shallower tread depth. They can fit a specific vehicle and you should not use them on another unless it is the same model.

Folding temporary spare tires, while previously installed in vehicles, have limited application today. Although they provide significant space savings, they are more complex to use. Specifically, you must inflate them with an air pump or a canister of pressurized air before use.

The most popular Temp Spare tires

When it comes to temporary spare tires, the Yokohama Y870 and Kumho 121 stand out as popular choices. Their reliability and performance make them top contenders in the market. With a wide range of options, you can find the perfect tires to suit your individual requirements at NeoTires.