How far can you drive on a spare tire?

The compact donut spare carries a standing rule: roughly 50 miles of range at no more than 50 miles per hour. It is narrower, smaller, and inflated far harder than a real tire, which degrades braking, cornering, and the traction systems that assume four matched wheels. Treat it as a tow truck you happen to drive, straight to a tire shop. A full-size spare, if your vehicle has one, drives normally, though it still wants pressure checked before duty.

The plot twist waiting in many driveways: a large share of new cars ship with no spare at all, substituting a sealant-and-inflator kit that cannot help a sidewall gash or blowout. Open your trunk today and learn which vehicle you own, ideally not on a highway shoulder.

While the donut is on, avoid highways where possible, skip cruise control, and remember the compact's own pressure, usually 60 psi, has probably been quietly leaking since the car was new.