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Your Nearest Store:
7980 S Broadway
Littleton, CO
303.515.7308
Most stores are open nights and weekends
| Day(s) | Hours |
|---|---|
| MON-FRI: | 7:00am-7:00pm |
| SAT: | 7:00am-6:00pm |
| SUN: | 9:00am-5:00pm |
| Thanksgiving: | Closed |
Schedule Service
Your Nearest Store:
7980 S Broadway
Littleton, CO
303.515.7308
Most stores are open nights and weekends
| Day(s) | Hours |
|---|---|
| MON-FRI: | 7:00am-7:00pm |
| SAT: | 7:00am-6:00pm |
| SUN: | 9:00am-5:00pm |
| Thanksgiving: | Closed |
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A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SPARE TIRES Answers to your top questions about spare tires.
WHY YOU NEED A SPARE TIRE
If you’re a car owner, you’ll inevitably have to deal with a flat tire at some point. But a flat tire doesn't have to mean waiting for a tow truck to come to your rescue. Keeping a spare tire on hand might be the solution you need in a pinch, but there are a few spare tire best practices you should know first. From how to choose the right size spare tire to how many miles you can drive on a spare tire before it needs to be replaced, we have answers to all your questions about spare tires.
WHAT SIZE SHOULD MY SPARE TIRE BE?
You have two options when it comes to spare tire size: the same size as your other four tires or a compact/donut size. Here’s what to consider for each option:
HOW LONG CAN YOU DRIVE ON A SPARE TIRE?
If you’re choosing the temporary fix, it’s important to know how many miles you can go on a spare tire and when to replace a spare tire. A compact spare tire is designed to be an emergency solution that will hold up long enough to get your vehicle to a safe place for repairs. The general recommendation for a compact spare tire is to drive no more than 50 miles before you upgrade to a permanent full-size tire. Read the compact tire sidewall or your owner’s manual to learn the maximum driving distance and the top speed. If you use a full-size spare, you can treat it the same way you would any other permanent tire.
HOW FAST CAN YOU DRIVE ON A SPARE TIRE?
Compact spare tires don’t have sufficient tread depth to perform well at high speeds, especially in wet or snowy road conditions. Most spare tires have a maximum speed of 50mph. That means it’s best to avoid freeways and roads with higher speed limits if you’re driving on a compact spare. Read the compact tire sidewall or your owner’s manual to learn the maximum driving distance and the top speed.
HOW LONG CAN YOU DRIVE ON A RUN-FLAT TIRE?
An alternative to keeping a spare tire in your trunk is choosing run-flat tires for your main set. The high-tech cooling fins and reinforced sidewalls in Firestone’s DriveGuard tires allow you to keep driving after a puncture for up to 50 miles at 50 mph, even after a complete air loss. Unlike many other run-flat tires, DriveGuard tires handle smoothly, provide grip in sharp turns (without screeching), and drive quietly and comfortably—all thanks to their advanced technology.
With run-flat tires, you won’t have to worry about having a spare on hand for an unexpected flat. You can just drive to the nearest service station to have a new permanent tire installed immediately.♰
CAN I USE A FLAT TIRE KIT INSTEAD OF A SPARE TIRE?
A flat tire repair kit is a tempting alternative to a full-size or compact spare since a kit generally costs less and takes up less space. From tire sealants to temporary plugs, these kits use a variety of methods to temporarily repair the “problem area” without having to replace the tire on the spot. Be aware that if a temporary plug is used, Firestone Complete Auto Care stores are not able to permanently repair that particular tire.
Like compact spares, flat tire repair kits are short-lived fixes. Kits vary in what they include, but most pump a sealant into the flat tire through the tire's air inflation valve, plugging punctures from the inside. Tire sealant kits can help repair small holes and even partially re-inflate a flat tire, but only to a certain degree.
Learn More About Tires
♰Certain limitations and restrictions apply. See warranty manual for details.