Posted on 1/30/2026
A spare tire feels like a clean escape hatch. You get the flat off the road, tighten the lugs, and tell yourself you will deal with the real fix later. The problem is, a spare changes more than most drivers realize, and the risks tend to build quietly with every mile. If you have been rolling around on one longer than you planned, there are a few reasons to take it seriously before it turns into a second problem. Common Reasons Drivers End Up On The Spare Most spare-tire situations start with something simple, a nail in the tread, a pothole hit, or a slow leak you did not notice until the tire was too low. Sometimes the tire looks fine from the outside, but the sidewall is damaged, and it cannot safely hold pressure anymore. Other times, the tire is repairable, but you are stuck on the shoulder, and the spare is the fastest way to get moving. The issue is not using the spare. The issue is treating it like a normal tire for normal driving, especially at highway speed ... read more