Your car’s spare tire and emergency jack are crucial for roadside maintenance. Ironically, many drivers take these two for granted until they’re stuck in the middle of nowhere because of a flat tire.
Like regular tires, spare tires also need to be checked and maintained. Here are some important things you should know about spare tire maintenance:
Make a habit of checking your tires’ pressure at least once a month and before any long trip. This includes your spare tire.
Temperature changes can affect tire pressure. You’ll want your tires (including the spare) to always be in the right PSI (pounds per square inch) to keep them in great shape.
If you take your vehicle to a repair facility for maintenance like oil changes, ask the technicians to check and adjust your spare tire’s pressure while they’re doing the service. Most oil changes include tire pressure adjustments. However, the spare tire is not always checked.
Spare tire pressure should be around 35 to 60 PSI. It varies depending on your actual spare tire.
Even if your spare tire isn’t used, it can still degrade over time, so make sure to inspect it for any signs of wear. You’ll want to ensure your spare tire is in good condition when it’s time to use it.
Routinely rotating your tires ensures they have even tread wear, maximizing the tires’ lifespan and maintaining their optimal performance.
Experts recommend including your spare tire in your rotation schedule if you have a full size spare. It’s a common practice to move the spare tire to the rear-right position. Meanwhile, the tire that’s supposed to take that spot will be the new spare tire.
If you have donut spare, skip this tip. Donut spares are only meant to be used when you have a flat. They can last several miles, more than enough to get to an auto repair shop but certainly not enough for long-term driving.
If you’re unsure how and when to rotate your tires, you can consult your owner’s manual or ask a trusted mechanic for advice.
You can also do a leak test when inspecting your spare tire. To do this, you simply have to drown the inlet with water to see if bubbles are forming.
If you notice bubbling, it means there’s a slow leak. You’ll need to have your spare tire checked or replaced as soon as possible.
If you have an outside-mounted spare, make sure to protect it from the elements and the heat of the sun. Road debris and UV radiation can break down rubber, decreasing your spare tire’s lifespan.
Make sure that you know how long spare tires last. Check your spare tire’s manufacturing date. Replace your spare tire if it’s already more than ten years old.
Many trucks and SUVs have spare tires under their vehicle. You can lower this spare tire to the ground using a spare tire hoist mechanism. To get the spare down, insert a rod through the buck bumper and crank down the hoist until the tire is on the ground.
Before going on a long trip, make sure the hoist mechanism is working. You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of the road dealing with a stuck spare tire.
Most of these systems are seals, so there’s no need to lubricate them. However, lack of use and the elements can degrade some of its parts.
Aside from your spare tire, make sure your jack is in good working condition as well. What will you do with a spare tire if you don’t have a jack? Without it, you won’t be able to lift your vehicle to replace your flat tire.
Here are some tips to keep your jack safe and well-maintained:
Jacks can rust over time. Make sure to check for corrosion on the metal components of your jack, like the handle, screws, or lifting mechanism. Also, keep an eye out for other signs of damage. Inspect your jack to ensure there are no missing parts.
Your jack will be useless if you don’t have a lug wrench for your lug nuts, so always pack one in your ride.
Also, check if it’s compatible with the lug nuts your wheels currently have. This is especially true if you’ve recently replaced one or several lug nuts. In some cases, aftermarket lug nut replacements can be different in size compared to others. This rarely happens, but it wouldn’t hurt to check.
Aside from bringing your jack, it’s also a good idea to buy a portable air compressor. If you’re in the middle of a deserted area, and you’re dealing with a minor tire puncture, it could help inflate your damaged tire until you reach a safer spot.
A tire pressure gauge, a tow strap, and a basic tool kit (with wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, and sockets) will also be helpful.
Spare tire and jack maintenance might not seem like a big deal now, but you’ll change your tune once you find yourself stranded with a flat tire, miles away from a gas station or auto repair shop. Of course, you don’t have to wait until then. While you can’t always prevent emergencies like this from happening, you can prepare for them by investing in the right tools. Thankfully, you can get everything you need for spare tire and jack maintenance at CarParts.com.
At CarParts.com, you can find a wide selection of high-quality wheel and tire packages, jacks, lug wrenches, and tire pressure gauges. We’re all about giving you a worry-free shopping experience, so we offer a 60-day return policy for our products. We’re confident in the quality of our spare tires, floor jacks, and other tools, but if you aren’t completely satisfied, you can return them within 60 days of purchase. Just reach out to our customer support team, and they’ll be happy to assist.
Don’t wait until you get stuck with a flat tire before investing in the necessary tools for spare tire and jack maintenance. Check out our catalog of high-quality wheel and tire packages, floor jacks, lug wrenches, and tire pressure gauges at CarParts.com and order today!
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.