[Explored] Can You Reuse A Spare Tire?

Spare tires can be your savior if the original tire of your vehicle gets punctured, or in other emergency situations. Spare tires are meant to use temporarily. They can be used for a short distance. But is it recommended to reuse a spare tire?

The accurate answer is “Yes”, you can reuse a spare tire, but as long as it reaches its limit. Once you have used the tire for a certain distance, you can’t reuse the spare tire and you must need to replace it.

In this article, we have explained whether you can reuse a spare tire or not, if you reuse them, then what conditions you need to follow, and many other things regarding the topic. So, keep reading!

Are Spare Tires Reusable?

As we’ve already said, yes, you can reuse a spare tire but in some certain conditions. Keep in mind that spare tires typically do not last long and the durability of these tires aren’t as same as standard tires.

A spare tire is safe to use for traveling about 50 miles while driving at 45 MPH. So, if you have traveled less than 50 miles, you can reuse it for the rest of the distance that is left to use. However, if you drive faster than 45 MPH, then the tire may get damaged quickly and you need to replace it before it reaches 50 miles.

Furthermore, if you notice any tread wear, cracking, or sign of damage on the tire, then it doesn’t matter whether you have traveled 50 miles or not, you need to replace it and shouldn’t reuse it.

How Many Times Can You Reuse Spare Tire?

Many people ask the same question that how many times they can reuse a spare tire. As we already have mentioned that the distance limit for a spare tire is 50 miles, how many times you can reuse the tire depends on how much distance is left to use the tire.

For example, you have used your spare tire to drive about 30 miles and stored it in the trunk of your vehicle. In that case, you can reuse it to travel for about 20 miles. But if you drive 10 miles with the spare tire this time, then you can travel the rest 10 miles if you reuse the tire further. So, there is no exact answer about how many times you can reuse your spare tire.

Although, the required distance for a spare tire may vary for different models and types of vehicles. You should check the owner’s manual to learn the exact distance to drive by your spare tire.

When Should You Stop Reusing Your Spare Tire?

Basically, you should stop reusing your spare tire once you reached traveling about 50 miles with it. However, there can be some physical sign which tells when to stop reusing a spare tire. Here are they:

If the tread depth of the spare tire is less than 1/8 inch.
If there are any cracks on the side wall of the spare tire.
If you notice any bald spots, bulges, or blisters on the tire.
If the tire looks like it is swelling.
If you feel excessive vibration while driving with the spare tire.

In these cases, you should immediately stop reusing the spare tire and replace it with a new one.

Is It Worth Reusing a Spare Tire?

Yes, spare tires are made to reuse until it reaches their required distance to use. And it is worth reusing as you can have a lot of benefits from it. Here are some of the advantages that you can get by reusing a spare tire:

You can save a lot of money by reusing a spare tire instead of wasting a huge amount of money on buying a new spare tire.
You can reduce waste by reusing it.
You can get yourself out of trouble free of cost by reusing a spare tire in an emergency situation.
Reusing a spare tire, can help you gain more experience about reusing a spare tire in further.

Safety Tips on Reusing Spare Tire

While reusing spare tires, you need to follow some safety tips. Here are they:

You should rotate your spare tire after every few months, or at least once a year to ensure its durability.
You keep your spare tire under regular maintenance such as checking the tread depth, air pressure, and condition of the tire.
While keeping your spare tire on the trunk of your vehicle, make sure to keep your spare tire away from chemicals and other corrosive materials.
While using spare tires, do not overload your vehicle as these tires aren’t designed to carry extra weight.
As spare tires are thinner than regular tires, there is a chance of imbalance while driving with them. So, drive carefully while reusing a spare tire.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)

When Should You Reuse Spare Tire?

Spare tires aren’t designed for regular use. You should only use a spare tire if you have no option in your hand except using it. Once you reach a nearby service center, you should quickly repair your regular tier and store the spare tire for further use in such emergency situations.

Can I Reuse an Old Spare Tire?

It is not recommended to use a spare tire for more than 7 to 10 years. Because, if a spare tire is stored in the vehicle’s trunk for a long period, the rubber on the tire may become brittle or cracked. So, it isn’t safe to reuse an old spare tire.

Can I Drive 7 Miles A Day for A Week with A Spare Tire?

The rule of thumb for using a spare tire is 50 miles in total. So, if you drive 7 miles a day for one week, the total distance after a week will be 49 miles, which is technically an eligible distance for a spare tire. But spare tires aren’t for regular use as they aren’t as strong as regular tires. So, it’d be better to use it for a few miles until you repair your old tire and then keep the spare tire for further reuse.

Conclusion

To conclude, it is possible to reuse a spare tire for short distances during emergencies. However, once it has traveled 50 miles, it is crucial to replace it immediately. All the possible instructions are given in this article to ensure the proper usage of your spare tire. We hope that this information has proven helpful to you. And if you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below. Thanks for reading.