Can I Use A Different Size Spare Tire

A few months back, I borrowed ane of my friend's cars, and the rear tire burst on the way. I checked the trunk for the spare and found that the spare tire was smaller than the other four tires. So I wondered if it's safe to drive with a smaller spare tire.

I did some research right abroad and have prepared this resource for everyone who might confront the same situation. So, tin can you bulldoze with a smaller spare tire?

You can drive with a smaller spare tire but not more l miles. Smaller spare tires are not meant to travel for a altitude more than 50 miles and speed exceeding 50 mph as they have a much smaller size and piffling to no tread compared to normal tires for improve traction handling and ABS command.

In this article, I have covered what happens when you drive on a smaller spare tire and why information technology tin can be bad for you to travel a longer altitude on smaller spare tires.

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Can Your Spare Tire Be Smaller?

As discussed above, your spare tire can be smaller, and in fact, well-nigh car manufacturers now install smaller spare tires rather than total-sized spare tires. These tires are also known as Donuts or Safety-saver.

They are meant to become you to condom in case of an emergency. But these tires should never be thought of equally a permanent solution. You should not drive on a donut for more than than 50 miles and 50 mph.

You lot are supposed to supersede your tires as shortly equally you can. However, if you tend to use information technology longer than usual, information technology might damage your spare due to excess wear and tear and might affect the auto's axle and ABS. Let's run into how.

What Happens When You Bulldoze On A Smaller Spare Tire?

When you drive with a smaller spare tire, the spare tire rotates much faster than the other three tires due to its smaller circumference. The standard tires embrace a greater distance in one rotation than the spare one due to smaller circumference.

And so, to compensate, the spare tire needs to comprehend the same distance every bit other tires cover in one rotation, but it has to do so in the same menstruum making the spare rotate much faster and revolving more than than one complete rotation.

And so, the spare's RPM(Rotation per minute) is more than that of the other iii tires. Thus, this increased distance and speed creates backlog estrus, increasing article of clothing and tear. Imagine what happens if you continue doing and then for a more than extensive span, information technology will damage the tires and may cause a burst leaving you lot with no other options.

It'southward just not express to wear and tear, and in that location is more than to it which we will cover in the side by side department.

Is It Bad To Drive With A Smaller Tire?

Along with the wear and tear due to smaller circumference, the difference in size also affects the vehicle'due south alignment, traction handling, and ABS(Anti-Lock Braking System).

Smaller Spare Tire's Result on Vehicle's Alignment:

Every bit these spare tires are narrower, they take smaller contact patches, reducing their traction, which may lead to unpredictable handling. As a issue, the drive may sometimes find it challenging to proceed the vehicle straight. This is how it affects the vehicle's alignment.

Smaller Spare Tire's Result On ABS:

It too affects ABS control. ABS is a safe machinery that prevents your wheels from locking upwardly in example of emergency or panic braking.

Thus, when ABS is non working correctly, there is a possibility to lose traction in case of panic braking, which may upshot in skidding of the vehicle, which is quite dangerous, that is why it is advised to not drive at more than than l mph with the smaller spare tire.

Smaller Spare Tire's Effect On The Differential:

The differential's job is to transmit power from Manual(Engine) to wheels. Information technology also allows the cycle to rotate at a unlike speed which is very of import while turning as inner wheels cover a smaller distance than outer wheels during a turn. Then the outer tire has to rotate at a college speed.

It'southward pretty similar to what happens while driving on a spare wheel. The smaller spare must embrace the same distance every bit other tires at a greater speed. Thus, the differential has to transfer to a lot more than power than other tires. It's like the vehicle is constantly in turn.

Then, the differential has to work much harder than in a typical scenario. And doing so for a longer time would harm the differential.

You must be wondering if there are these many issues with smaller size spare tires, and so why not go with the total-sized tires, correct? Well, that's what we have covered in the next section.

Why Is A Spare Tire Smaller Than Normal Tires?

For years, spare tires used to be the aforementioned size as the other four tires. However, in many older cars, y'all can find full-size spare tires.

Withal, this has changed. Nowadays, the spare tires are much smaller and often called "Donuts" or "Space-Saver" due to their compact size.

There are many reasons manufacturers now adopt to build cars with a donut instead of full-sized tires. Allow'due south have a look at some of them:

They are non used as frequently as other tires and hence are fabricated to last till you reach a safe altitude.
They are designed to accept less space in your trunk to provide you with more than storage chapters
They are made lightweight. The weight savings leads to ameliorate fuel economic system which is a huge focus based on both consumer need and regulatory requirements.
They are cheaper for both the manufacturers and the consumers.
They are easier to elevator and can be installed more hands than full-sized tires.

These tires are intended for brusk-term utilize and in case of an emergency rather than using them regularly. You should not use it for a longer altitude, and yous should supersede your tires equally before long as you attain your home or tire alter store.

Conclusion

At this point, you lot must exist clear with all the questions you had about if you lot tin can drive with a smaller tire or non.

Equally a general rule, yous should not drive more 50 miles and not faster than 50 mph with the smaller spare tire. Going for more that, the grease lubricating the differential will break down, causing unnecessary wear between the gears and the clutch plates.

The reason for the clothing in the differential has been already discussed above. However, it is essential to empathise that you should not apply your donut for an extended period. Otherwise, it may cause problems in other parts of your auto.

Delight feel free to roam around the weblog if you lot take other questions well-nigh your tires. You tin can find a lot of helpful resources related to your tire queries.