Few things are as panic-inducing or as anxiety-setting as getting a flat tire and being left stranded in the middle of nowhere. But at the very least, a situation like this can be salvaged simply by changing it out for a spare. The bad news there is that few modern cars come with a full-sized spare tire. They instead feature whatâs known as a donut spare tire. So then, are these good enough to drive with?
At a glance, itâs easy to imagine why youâd be hesitant to use a donut spare tire â aka a âspace saverâ tire. Theyâre far smaller and look out of proportion compared to regular tires. Sometimes, Iâd wonder if theyâd even fit on your car at all. These doughnuts are usually made for short-distance driving and at lower speeds. With that being said, most people still use these wrong, so letâs get into howâŠ
Spare Tire Donut
First off, letâs look at what these donut spare tires are, and how come automakers have substituted perfectly good full-sized spares for them. In other parts of the world or depending on what the carâs ownerâs manual says, itâs otherwise called the âspace saver tireâ or âcompact spare tireâ. That should give you enough clues as to why most manufacturers fit their cars with donut spare tires, as theyâre:
- Smaller â Theyâre significantly tinier compared to a full-sized spare thatâs meant to replicate your other tire sizes, 1-to-1. By the virtue of being smaller, this affords you more room in the trunk (where spares are often kept) to store other things. Donut spare tires are smaller in diameter and skinnier than regular tires.
- Lighter â With its compact form factor, a donut spare tire is also lighter than a full-sized spare. That means less mass weighing your car down. Consequently, saving weight entails more fuel savings (i.e. higher MPGs), and slightly better performance. Donut spare tires can weigh half that of a full-sized spare.
- Cheaper â This is more of a benefit to the automakers than to you, but a donut spare tire is generally cheaper to make and include. After all, thereâs less substance in a doughnut compared to a full-sized spare. However, itâs an upside to you cost-wise whenever you need to replace it.
Before we go any further, let us preface this by saying that you shouldnât be driving with donut spare tires. At least, not for too long. Doughnuts are included as a temporary fix, and should only be fitted so that you could drive to the nearest tire shop and get your regular tire patched up or replaced. Itâll compromise your handling, limit your speed, and arenât as durable as normal tires, otherwise.
Full Size Spare Tire
On the other hand, we have a full-sized spare tire. Unlike specially-built and miniaturized doughnuts, full-sized spare tires are essentially the same type, size, and shape as your regular tires. Compared to a donut spare tire, full-sized ones are much sturdier and more stable to drive on. Additionally, theyâll last longer once theyâre installed and would allow you to drive much faster with them fitted.
Nevertheless, itâs a good idea to consult your ownerâs manual to understand the exact threshold of a full-sized spare tire thatâs been included with your car. Some spare tires are more robust than others, and youâll typically find one of two types of full-sized spares:
- Matching â As the name implies, this type of full-sized spare is matched exactly to your regular tires. As such, itâs a good idea to have them regularly rotated alongside your other tires. Moreover, these matched tires would be more durable on the road, and you could drive on them for far longer.
- Non-Matching â In contrast, non-matching full-sized spare tires are nearly similar to a regular set of tires, but not quite. Their tread depth is typically shallower than a regular tire, so they wonât last for too long. Yet, their oft-lightweight design makes them easier to install when you need to.
That said, and no matter how durable full-sized spares are compared to donut spare tires, itâs a bad practice to treat them as replacements for your regular set. As with doughnuts, full-sized spare tires have a limited lifespan and should be seen as no more than a temporary fix until after youâve visited a tire shop and had a new tire installed. Although, full-sized spares do permit you more time.
Full Size Spare Tire Vs Donut
Having mentioned that, hereâs a rundown on the pros and cons of both full-sized spares and donutsâŠ
Pros Of Donut Spare Tires
- Theyâre small, so your carâs luggage and cargo space arenât as compromised. While probably not that significant in the real world, you could fit more stuff in the trunk than you ordinarily can with a full-sized spare. In smaller cars especially, practically halving the dimensions of the spare tire could open up a decently large compartment.
- Compared to full-sized tires, theyâre comparatively very lightweight. Over the long run, this can make somewhat of a difference to your carâs fuel economy. Again, itâs not much, but some have estimated that removing a 50lbs full-sized spare saved improved MPGs by 1%. So, cutting this down to a donut spare tire (about half the weight â roughly 25lbs) might result in a tiny improvement.
- Itâs easier to store, remove, and install. While the process of installing a donut spare tire is similar to a regular tire or a full-sized spare, a doughnut is much lighter. This means that needing to carry that tire out of its storage space in the trunk is less tiresome. The process of installing a donut is made a bit easier owing to its lighter weight, as well.
- Theyâre much cheaper than a full-sized spare, mostly thanks to how much material youâre saving. Itâs a double-edged sword, as youâre getting a lower speed limit, range, handling, and durability when it compares to a full-sized spare. But for a temporary short drive, itâs good enough. And, if you need to replace it in your trunk once youâre done, a donut spare tire costs far less.
Cons Of Donut Spare Tires
- Handling is compromised, due to how small they are. This is especially noticeable if you fit the donut spare tire onto the front wheels. The lack of contact patch on such skinny tires means that youâre not getting as much traction as a regular tire or full-sized spare. With its lack of grip, be wary of driving with them on wet, rainy, greasy, or snowy roads.
- Again, the diminutive size of donut spare tires also impacts the wear rate of your carâs suspension and steering. Theyâre much smaller than your other tires, so most of your carâs mass, strain, as well as its wear and tear will be put more toward one side. In other words, itâs not evenly spread out, which can cause premature or accelerated wear.
- A lackluster rubber compound, which doesnât match up to regular tires or even full-sized spares. Thus, theyâre not able to take as much abuse. Drive it for too long (at most, just 70 miles), and their treads would start wearing down rapidly. This is exacerbated if you drive on poor-quality roads, with many potholes, speedbumps, or debris. Similarly, that would wear out donut spare tires pretty quickly.
- Very limited top speed (at most, no faster than 50mph or so), when youâre driving on doughnuts. Itâs made to only be a temporary fix, and last just long enough until you get to the nearest tire shop. Due to that intent, theyâre not made to survive high-speed driving, and doing so is very dangerous. Its lack of traction makes it unsuitable to drive at highway/freeway/interstate speeds.
Pros Of Full Size Spare Tires
- Since theyâre designed similarly to regular tires, you can use them as though theyâre normal tires. An added note of caution â itâs still a good idea to stop by a local tire shop or workshop to have the tires checked. If stored for a long time and not regularly maintained, full-sized spare tires may have issues such as a lack of tire pressure, physical damage, or otherwise.
- Your carâs full-sized spare tire would easily outlast donut spare tires for range â most full-size spares are good for around 100 miles. Plus, you could run these at higher speeds, too. Again, they ought to be treated as a temporary fix. So, have it assessed by a technician as soon as possible to make sure that theyâre good to drive with.
- Compared to donut spare tires, full-sized spares are of much higher quality. Hence, they could easily take on use and abuse, as though theyâre regular tires. Moreover, they have more cushioning, which is better suited for soaking up bumps and potholes. Better still, they wonât compromise your vehicleâs handling, traction, or dynamics, as their contact patch and grip should be similar to normal tires.
- Another benefit of being equal in size to your carâs regular tires is that they wonât accelerate wearing out your wheel assembly, suspension, or steering. Your carâs day-to-day weight and load would thus be supported more evenly with full-sized spare tires. To ensure that it drives just as well, make sure that you regularly rotate your spare tires, alongside your regular ones, too.
Cons Of Full Size Spare Tires
- Theyâre expensive, significantly so compared to a donut spare tire. After all, youâre essentially buying a brand new tire. By comparison, donut spare tires can be found for as little as $50, while a new full-sized spare tire may cost at least $100. When there is a flat tire, youâre certainly able to get more out of a full-sized spare â longer range, higher top speed, better handling, etc. But, itâll cost you more.
- Side-by-side against doughnuts, a full-sized spare tire usually weighs around twice as much. First off, this makes swapping out the tires more of an exercise. Itâll take some muscle to remove the full-sized spare from its storage space in the trunk. And once youâre done with that, positioning it and holding it in place to fit the full-sized spare onto the car will be a bit more challenging.
- Another downside with full-sized spares is that theyâre much larger than doughnuts. On a day-to-day basis, that means youâre sacrificing a fair amount of luggage space. This is particularly a concern for those driving smaller cars. One might argue that this lost space can be annoying, especially since itâs not going to be often that youâll need a spare. Yet, youâre trimming down a lot of cargo capacity.
Donut Spare Tire Size
A couple of quick questions concerning donut spare tire sizes (and their answers)âŠ
- Are donut spare tires universal? â No, theyâre not. In other words, you canât simply interchange donut spare tires between vehicles, even if they technically fit. These doughnuts are designed to specifically support the load and weight of one specific make or model of a vehicle.
- Are all donut spare tires of the same size? â No, theyâre all different sizes. Again, you canât change the doughnuts on one car with that of another different vehicle. Each doughnut has varying tread width, material, load index, height, diameter, and sizing, which you can find stamped on the sidewall.
- Will a donut tire fit any car? â No, you canât. Once more, the doughnuts on your car were designed to support the load, dimensions, and specifications of your car alone. Thus, you canât easily exchange your donuts with ones from another car, even if the lug nut holes and patterns match.
To give you an idea of how large (or small) a donut spare tire is, hereâs a size chart for Goodyearâs Convenience Spare brand of doughnutsâŠ
NOTE: You can read our quick guide on tire size charts and how to read those size markings on your sidewall. This can be helpful if youâre trying to understand what your spares are capable of handling, or if you need to replace them.
Donut Spare Tire Size Chart
| Size | Diameter | Width | Rim Range |
Measured Rim |
Tread Depth |
Load Range |
Max Load |
Max psi |
Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T115/70D15 90M SL BSW |
21.4âł | 4.8âł | 4-4âł | 4âł | 5/32âł | SL | 1323 lbs | 60 psi | 8 lbs |
| T155/90D16 110M SL BSW |
26.8âł | 6âł | 4-4âł | 4âł | 4/32âł | SL | 2337 lbs | 60 psi | 18 lbs |
| T155/90D16 100M LL BSW |
27âł | 6âł | 4-4âł | 4âł | 4/32âł | LL | 1764 lbs | 60 psi | 16 lbs |
| T135/70D17 92M LL BSW |
24.8âł | 5.4âł | 4-4âł | 4âł | 5/32âł | LL | 1389 lbs | 60 psi | 11 lbs |
| T135/80D17 103M SL BSW |
25.5âł | 5.4âł | 4-4âł | 4âł | 4/32âł | SL | 1929 lbs | 60 psi | 10 lbs |
| T135/90D17 104M SL BSW |
26.6âł | 5.3âł | 3.5-4.5âł | 4âł | NA | SL | 1984 lbs | 60 psi | 13 lbs |
| T145/80D17 97M LL BSW |
26.1âł | 5.7âł | 4-4âł | 4âł | 5/32âł | LL | 1609 lbs | 60 psi | 13 lbs |
| T155/70D17 110M SL BSW |
24.9âł | 6âł | 4-4âł | 4âł | 5/32âł | SL | 2337 lbs | 60 psi | 13 lbs |
| T155/80D17 101M LL BSW |
NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | LL | 1819 lbs | 60 psi | 13 lbs |
| T165/80D17 104M LL BSW |
27.6âł | 6.3âł | 4-4âł | 4âł | 5/32âł | LL | 1984 lbs | 60 psi | 17 lbs |
| T175/90D17 109M SL BSW |
29.5âł | 6.8âł | 4.5-4.5âł | 4.5âł | 4/32âł | SL | 2271 lbs | 60 psi | 18 lbs |
| T145/80D18 99M LL BSW |
27.1âł | 5.7âł | 4-4âł | 4âł | 4/32âł | LL | 1709 lbs | 60 psi | 15 lbs |
| T155/85D18 115M SL BSW |
NA | NA | NA | NA | 5/32âł | SL | 2679 lbs | 60 psi | 15 lbs |
| T175/90D18 111M LL BSW |
30.4âł | 6.9âł | NA | NA | NA | LL | 2403 lbs | 60 psi | 19 lbs |
| T165/90D19 119M SL BSW |
30.7âł | 6.5âł | NA | NA | NA | SL | 2998 lbs | 60 psi | 21 lbs |
Max Speed For Donut Spare Tire
Another couple of questions, especially on how fast (and far) can you go with donut spare tiresâŠ
- How fast can you drive with donut spare tires? â No more than 50mph, although some might go as high up as 55mph. You should ideally refer to your ownerâs manual to see how fast it could actually go. Nevertheless, be wary to keep your top speed limited while running on doughnuts.
- How long can you drive on a donut? â Not much more than 70 miles or so miles, preferable less. So, be diligent about how many more miles before the doughnuts give up, which should be noted in the ownerâs manual. All the while, itâs best to have them replaced as soon as possible.
In summary, your top speed should be limited to just 50mph â ideally less â when youâre driving on a donut spare tire. One neat trick, instead of staring constantly at the speedometer, if you want to be certain that youâre not exceeding this limit, is by setting the cruise control. This way, your car would automatically maintain a top speed of 50mph (or whatever speed it is that youâve set it to).
On a side note, while you can drive up to 50mph, you should be careful when driving in the rain or if the road is coated with ice and snow. Donut spare tires canât grip on the road as well as regular tires owing to their skinny profile and low-quality rubber. Therefore, itâs much easier to skid, lose control, and notice a longer stopping distance under braking with doughnuts. So, be very, very careful.
Donut Spare Tire Replacement
And, how about a couple more questions on donut spare tire maintenanceâŠ
- How much does a donut spare tire cost to replace? â The cheapest place to get a donut spare tire will be your local tire shop. Theyâd sell these for anywhere from just $50 to all the way up to $300. While youâre buying a new doughnut, remember to make sure that it matches your carâs make and model.
- Can you repair a donut spare tire? â No, you canât. Unlike regular tires, the rubber compound on your doughnuts is not as robust or thick, nor is the tread as deep. Therefore, and assuming that a donut spare tire has been punctured, plugging it wonât work, as it might not hold well on a doughnut.
- How long does a donut tire last? â Just to be safe, have your spare tire â either a donut or a full-sized one â replaced after 10 years. Even if itâs been left unused and untouched, the rubber compound will continue to naturally (chemically) degrade. As such, compromises its structural integrity.
- Do you have to put air inside a donut spare tire? â Yes, they should be maintained and serviced like a normal tire. Therefore, youâll have to stay on top of keeping it inflated, even if itâs unused. Youâll have to check the ownerâs manual to confirm, but their recommended air pressure is typically 60psi.
So, if you need a donut spare tire replacement, thatâll cost you at least $50. Although, the majority of tire shops and auto parts stores charge $100 or more for one. While youâre there, and weâll stress this again, make sure that you get a doughnut spare made for your carâs exact make and model. As weâd highlighted earlier, these compact spares arenât interchangeable, so you canât mix and match them.
Frequently Asked Questions
That just about does it for this guide on donut spare tires, and hopefully, weâve provided some useful tips for you. However, if youâre still left unanswered, perhaps our FAQs here might helpâŠ
Can I Drive 200 Miles On A Donut
Absolutely not, donut spare tires are not made to survive 200 miles. The majority of doughnut spares are usually good for around 70 miles, as a rule of thumb. More specifically, they can last anywhere in the range of 60 or up to 100 miles. Itâs a good idea to check your ownerâs manual to understand how far youâre able to go with them. In all, you should have them replaced as soon as possible.
How Many Miles Can You Drive On A Donut
Most donut spare tires are rated to travel no further than 60 or even up to 100 miles. This varies a lot depending on the tire itself, but as a general rule of thumb, you shouldnât go further than 70 miles. A doughnut is made from an inferior rubber compound and isnât made to be as durable as regular tires. In so doing, they wear out very quickly once you start driving on them.
How Fast Can You Drive On A Donut
Most donut spare tires shouldnât be driven any faster than 50 to 55mph. This is partly thanks to their skinny profile, which significantly reduces the effective contact patch compared to regular tires. With a lackluster grip and simplistic construction, doughnuts are severely compromised in handling. More crucially, your carâs braking/stopping distance will be expanded, so be wary when driving with them.
Where Can I Buy A Donut Spare Tire
The cheapest place where you can buy a donut spare tire would be the local tire shop. If youâre very lucky, you might be able to find one for as little as $50. Although most doughnuts cost at least $100, others can cost upwards of $300. When youâre getting one, remember to find a doughnut that matches and was made for your carâs exact make and model. Doughnuts arenât interchangeable.
Can You Repair A Donut Spare Tire
Unfortunately, donut spare tires canât be repaired. The rubber compound on a doughnut is inferior to that of a regular tire. In general, the rubber itself isnât thick, and the treads arenât as deep. When you do try to plug them in the event of any punctures or damage, that plug might not hold for long. They were made for temporary use only, so if theyâre damaged, they have to be replaced outright.
