Can I Drive 200 Miles On A Donut? (Update 2022)

Contents

• Introduction: What Is a Donut Spare Tire?
• The Pros and Cons of Driving on a Donut Tire
  • 1. Pros of donut tires:
  • 2. Cons of donut tires:
• How Far Can You Safely Drive on a Donut Tire?
• What to Do When You Need to Drive More than 50-70 Miles on a Donut
• The Risks of Driving on a Donut Tire for an Extended Period
• Tips for Driving on a Donut Tire: Dos and Don'ts
  • 1. Dos of driving on a donut
  • 2. Don'ts of driving on a donut
• How to Care for Your Donut Spare Tire: Storage and Maintenance Tips
• Conclusion: Is Driving on a Donut Tire Worth the Risk?

Introduction: What Is a Donut Spare Tire?

A donut is a lightweight and compact spare tire designed to save space in a vehicle. These tires are only intended for temporary use, like when one of the full-size tires is punctured, and shouldn't be used as a primary solution on your vehicle. Particularly, these tires are designed to allow you to reach a tire repair station so you can fix the puncture on the full-size tire and continue driving as usual.

Donut spare tires are usually smaller in diameter and width than the regular tires attached to your vehicle, and the difference is huge. Due to them being narrower than regular tires, donuts will have a much smaller contact patch with the road, which can significantly decrease traction. Moreover, the fact that it will be attached to only one wheel, the donut, can destabilize the handling of your vehicle and make it less balanced.

As a result, space-saver spare tires are designed for limited speeds and distances, typically not exceeding 50 miles (80 km) and speeds of 50 mph (80 km/h). Therefore, it is essential to replace the temporary spare with a full-size tire as soon as possible to ensure proper vehicle operation and safety.

The Pros and Cons of Driving on a Donut Tire

Donut tires are a necessity in modern cars, and if you have one in your trunk, you need to be aware of its advantages and shortcomings. Here are all the pros and cons of having a space-saver spare tire in your vehicle.

1. Pros of donut tires:

• Space-saving: donut tires are much smaller in volume than regular tire and wheel combos but also much lighter. Thus, they will open up room in your trunk that you can use for everything that you desire but also reap the benefits of improved fuel economy due to the lower weight.
• Cost-effectiveness: donuts are much cheaper than regular tires. A full-size spare seems like a great solution until it occurs to you that you will also need to replace it with another one when it ages. Put simply – donut tires can save you money upfront when purchasing a spare tire. However, this might not be true if you often have punctures (check "How Far Can You Safely Drive on a Donut Tire?").
• Emergency solution: Donut tires provide a temporary solution that allows you to continue driving your vehicle to a nearby tire repair shop or service station, avoiding the need for an immediate tow. As such, they are very convenient when you are driving long distances.
• Easy to install: donut tires are small and light, which makes them much easier to handle and install compared to full-size spare tires. This is especially true for people that aren't that strong, like women.

2. Cons of donut tires:

• Limited distance and speed: most donut tires are designed to be used at speeds up to 50 mph (80 km/h) for up to 50 miles (80 km) before they need to be relieved of their duty as spare tires. This can be limiting in some situations, especially if you are far from an inhabited place with a tire shop.
• Reduced handling and traction: due to their smaller size, space-saver spare tires change the suspension geometry and weight distribution of your vehicle, which can negatively impact handling balance. Moreover, due to the narrower tread, donut tires have a much lower grip compared to full-size tires, meaning longer stopping distances and lower lateral grip in the corners.
• Imbalanced wear on the other tires and suspension components: due to the fact that donut tires change the suspension geometry, they can impact the wear of other tires but also the suspension components, potentially leading to premature replacement or repairs.
• False sense of security: some drivers may become overly reliant on donut spare tires, neglecting to replace them with a full-size tire promptly. This can lead to dangerous driving conditions and potential accidents.

How Far Can You Safely Drive on a Donut Tire?