Stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire, you open your trunk and begin to look for the spare but wait a minute…it’s not there! Unfortunately, this is a common reality in the 2020s for all new vehicles as many new vehicles don’t come with a spare tire in the trunk anymore. You may be remembering times of the past in which a vehicle had a spare tire mounted in the trunk or underneath the vehicle and a small little jack to go with it. However those days, just like a vehicle’s spare tire, are gone.
Nowadays modern vehicles tend to come with no spare and just a small can of flat tire repair gel, not exactly the most reliable or desirable way to handle an unexpected flat tire. Nobody wants to spend time on the side of the road, in the heat, rain, or snow waiting on a tow truck to come and take them to a local shop all because of a flat tire, and that’s why it’s imperative to carry a spare tire in your vehicle.
Carrying a spare tire in your vehicle not only allows you to get back on the road quicker, but it provides peace of mind, allowing you to be confident that not even a flat tire can stop you on the road. There are a few different types of spare tires available on the market to suit every need, here’s a list of available types of spare tires.
A full-size spare shares the same dimensions as the vehicle’s standard tire, the benefit being that it isn’t just a temporary fix until you arrive at your local mechanic to have a new tire mounted and balanced. A full-size spare also allows you to travel at regular speeds, which is something a smaller spare tire or “doughnut” would prohibit you from doing. A full-size spare is also one of the most effective and efficient options for a spare tire there is, making for minimal downtime of your vehicle so life can carry on as usual without interruption. If a full-size spare tire is the right option for you, call our parts professionals at Top Notch Used Cars today to order your full-size spare.
While a true full-size spare is the most effective option, the drawback of it taking up so much space in the vehicle is something to be considered. With that being said, a good option, if you’re unable to house a full-size spare, would be the temporary full-size spare. A temporary full-size spare tire is just like your regular, full-size tire, however, it has a smaller tread depth and less weight to it in order to save on space while remaining effective. A temporary full-size spare will allow you to safely drive to Top Notch Service Center so you can get a new tire mounted and balanced on the car. A temporary full-size spare is a great option for those that carry a lot of cargo, or even those driving compact cars which don’t have a lot of room for a full-size spare.
A compact temporary spare may not be the most effective option in terms of being able to drive on it for miles or at regular speeds, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely ineffective or useless. A compact temporary spare will allow you to travel a short distance at lower speeds in order to help you arrive safely at Top Notch Service Center. The compact temporary spare is a bit smaller and narrower than a full-size spare but it’s still just as useful in the event of an unexpected flat tire on the side of the road. These compact temporary spares or “doughnuts” tend to be the traditional spare tire most think of when they think of flat tire repair.
A folding temporary spare is a small spare tire, similar to the “doughnut” spare but it is even more compact by being deflated and being able to be folded for easy and efficient storage. While you may not be able to travel at regular speeds with this tire, you will be able to safely arrive at Top Notch Used Cars to receive a new tire and get on your way. These spares do require inflation before usage, which is an important thing to keep in mind when selecting the right spare tire to keep on hand.
Run-Flat Tires:
The most cutting-edge technology when it comes to spare tires is the Run-Flat spare tire which allows you to keep driving at regular speeds for up to 50 miles from the initial puncture. This incredible technology allows a driver to safely and effectively drive in almost any type of condition to reach their mechanic’s shop in the event of an unexpected flat tire. Run-Flats are one of the most expensive spare tire options, but also one of the most effective outside of carrying a full-size spare.
Let’s Get Rolling:
While flat tires are almost always unexpected and incredibly inconvenient, they are an inevitable part of owning a vehicle. Making sure you select the right kind of spare tire that fits all of your needs is a great way to help minimize the interference and inconvenience of an unexpected flat tire. Utilizing a spare tire properly can save you time, money and aggravation, but using one improperly could exacerbate the situation. When using a spare tire, keep in mind that the function of most spare tires is to help you arrive safely at a place of repair like Top Notch Service Center, while maintaining mobility and freedom.
