Spare Tire Buyer’s Guide

Were you really looking for how to change a spare tire? Don’t worry, we’ve got instructions for that!

It’s not something that many drivers ever bother to think about—until it’s too late, that is. A spare tire is indispensable when it comes to unexpected flats on the road. Rather than waiting for road service when they experience a flat or blowout tire, drivers can opt to install a spare tire to get them to the next service station on their own time.

However, many if not most modern vehicles no longer come equipped with spare tires off the production floor. This is to save space and weight, increasing efficiency. Consult your vehicle manual to see if yours comes with one.

If your vehicle doesn’t come with a spare tire (full or temporary sized), we strongly urge you to consider purchasing this important safety tool. But where to start?

WHERE CAN I BUY A SPARE TIRE FOR MY CAR?

Discount Tire isn’t just a place for new tires and wheels. We also sell reliable spare tires at the best prices in the industry.

Most tire shops will carry spare tires. However, an increasing trend is to avoid the traditional temporary “donut” spare tire in favor of a full-sized tire that can be easily switched on your vehicle without any restrictions.

Spare tire recommendations

The most premium spare tire recommendation we can make is to purchase a spare of your currently equipped tire model and mount it on the same kind of wheel. This allows you to just pop on the wheel and tire unit and carry on your business after a tire failure.

Please note that after installing any tire on your vehicle yourself, you should check the tire’s balance at a reputable shop. Making sure your tires are properly balanced will ensure they seamlessly and safely work together. Plus, Discount Tire offers free tire balancing to our customers!

The next best option is to bundle an inexpensive and strong steel wheel like the Unique 83 or Liquid Metal Atom with an entry-cost (but safe) tire like the Sentury Touring, Mohave CUV or Sentury UHP (for full-size vehicles).

The third and (generally) least expensive option is to purchase and carry a “donut” spare tire, which is a smaller, temporary spare that will be serviceable long enough to get you to a tire service station to make repairs to your original tire or buy a new one.

HOW LONG CAN I USE A SPARE TIRE?

If your spare tire is a full-sized tire, then you can drive on it like your regular tires and replace it when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch, becomes damaged, or becomes too old.

We recommend replacing your spare tires every six years, and after 10 years they are considered non-serviceable and should be replaced immediately.

It is also very important that you maintain your spare tire, just like your other tires. Don’t worry, we have an easy guide on spare tire maintenance. Remember, Discount Tire offers a whole host of free, safety related tire services, including rotations and air pressure checks.

HOW MUCH IS A SPARE TIRE?

Temporary “donut” spare tires range in cost (due to size, performance and brand for example) from $50 to $200 and more.

If you choose to keep and maintain a full-sized tire, then it will cost as much as whatever tire you have purchased for the other four wheels. Costs of a full-size tire will depend on size, brand, model and tire type (all-season, for example). Check out our tire price guide for more information. In general, full-size tires will cost anywhere from $80 and up per tire.

WHAT TYPE OF SPARE TIRE DO I NEED?

The type of spare tire you need depends upon your driving needs and the needs of your vehicle.

You may want the cost and weight savings of a temporary spare tire (sometimes called a “donut”). Or, if you’d rather not take any chances you may prefer to maintain and keep a full-size spare tire.

If you have a trailer, make sure that your spare trailer tire and wheel combination can effectively handle whatever you’re towing safely without sacrificing load index.

You may also consider run-flat tires. Run-flat tires are full-size tires that include interior construction which allows them to keep driving in the event of a puncture or flat for a certain distance, typically up to 50 miles at speeds of up to 50 mph. This allows you to reach a service station safely without having to stop on the side of the road and change your tire. Many of the most trusted brands such as Continental, Pirelli and Bridgestone have run-flat options. Keep in mind they may be limited in sizing, however many newer car models come with them already equipped. Check your vehicle manual to see if your ride has them already!

A quick note: run-flat tires are not the same as airless tires!

Ready to roll?

If you need a spare tire inspection, a new spare tire or wheel or even just some advice, feel free to contact us. Walk-ins are always welcome but we also encourage you to buy and make your appointment online first. Wait less time when you buy and book online!

For more information on this and other tire and wheel services, check out our YouTube Channel or reach out to us on X, Facebook and Instagram.