What is installing a spare tire all about?

A customer surprised by a flat tire may want a mechanic to come out and replace the damaged tire with the spare tire.

Keep in mind:

Spare tires in many vehicles are intended only to be used as a temporary solution until a new tire (or set of tires) can be purchased.

How it's done:

• Remove the tire and install spare tire.
• Check and adjust the air pressure in all tires and adjust as needed.

Our recommendation:

Spare tires are a great solution when you find yourself with a flat tire, so you should always keep a spare tire in your vehicle. If you don’t feel comfortable putting the spare tire on, you should call a mechanic to do it for you.

What are the common symptoms indicating you need to install a spare tire?

• Tire is flat
• Wheel or tire has damage

How important is this service?

Cars need four tires to operate. Most vehicles come equipped with a spare tire in the trunk, just in case one of your regular tires blows or goes flat. In the event that a tire loses its pressure, you can use the spare tire as an interim tire until you get it replaced. Spare tires may be compact or donut spare tires which are smaller than regular tires, and for safety concerns shouldn’t be driven for long periods of time, but they allow you to get your car mobile again after a flat tire. A full-size spare can also be installed which can be used indefinitely until you can have your flat tire repaired or replaced, as long as the spare tire has tread remaining. Spare tires are not meant for use above 55 mph, so you should not drive your vehicle at highway speeds while it’s equipped with a spare tire, either compact or full-size.

If your vehicle is equipped with wheel locks, a mechanic will need the wheel lock key to remove the flat tire and install your spare tire. Keep your wheel lock key readily accessible in your vehicle in the event of a flat tire.