If you're wondering about the importance of a spare tire, first imagine someone driving alone on a dark highway, suddenly hearing a sound and then his steering wheel starts to fight back!
Here the person realizes that his car tire has burst! He gets out of his car, and he sees the rear lights of other cars passing fast.
Thoughts are racing in his head: What will I do now? How long will I wait for the winch to arrive? How can I protect myself from speeding cars?
At this very moment, that forgotten tire in the trunk of your car turns from a piece of rubber into a real lifeline. It's the difference between being stuck in the open for hours and relying on yourself to change the tire and continue your journey within a few minutes.
This article is a detailed guide that shows you the benefits of a safety backup tire and how it can turn a potential crisis into just a quick stop on the roadside.
The importance of the backup tire
You may not need a spare tire in your car all the time, but having it gives you safety when you need it. Keep reading to know the importance of always having it in your vehicle:
- The ability to solve the problem yourself within minutes, instead of waiting for help that may be delayed for hours.
- Reduce exposure to the risk of parking on the side of a highway or in a dangerous bend, especially in darkness or fog.
- Save money because you avoid expensive winch costs that may reach hundreds of rials for no cost to change the tire yourself.
- Increase your confidence on the road when you know that you have an immediate solution to any sudden tire failure.
- Avoid exposing your family to danger by stopping on highways.
- Avoid damage to your car parts due to prolonged parking on inappropriate ground. Quick changes prevent damage to the suspension system and wheels.
- The possibility of saving another person who has experienced the same situation on the road.
- Keeping your schedule and saving you from missing important appointments due to unexpected delays.
A spare tire not only gives you safety, but also gives you peace of mind and confidence while driving, relieves stress and makes your ride more relaxed, especially on long and remote roads.
In any case, it is always recommendedCheck the spare tire And its accessories before starting the journey, and making sure that it is usable and safe from damage. This simple step may save your time and money, and protect you from unwelcome risks on the road.
Types of spare tires and how do you choose the best one?
Most car manufacturers are keen to provide their vehicles with a spare tire when they are put on the market, believing in its vital role in saving drivers in emergency situations.
However, some companies do not consider providing a spare tire, which makes it your responsibility, as a vehicle owner, to choose the tire that suits them, of these two types:
- The full frame
This type is completely identical to the vehicle's original tires, allowing you to drive with complete confidence as if it were your original tire.
You can travel on this tire for long distances without speed restrictions. It also maintains the performance and stability of the car, but in return it needs a lot of storage space in the luggage compartment, increases the overall weight of the car, and may slightly affect fuel consumption.
- compact frame
It is a practical solution to save space and weight, but it is designed for temporary use only. Its speed should not exceed 60 km/h, and it is not recommended to use it over long distances of more than 80 km.
It is worth noting that prolonged use of this type may affect car safety systems such as the anti-lock braking system “ABS” and the suspension system.
Many modern cars no longer have a spare tire, relying on quick repair materials or air pumps. Therefore, check your car before traveling and provide a suitable replacement to ensure your safety on the road.
Regardless of the type of spare tire, it is a temporary solution, designed to save you in critical moments, and also needs regular maintenance, including: Check air pressure It is done every 3 months, and to ensure its expiration date, which does not exceed 6-8 years, even if it is not used.
Alternatives available if the spare tire is not available
The driver resorts to alternatives that may not be ideal if there is no spare tire in the vehicle. These alternatives are as follows:
- Relying on road services
Here, the situation requires calling one of these services and waiting until they reach the site. It may happen that the service is delayed in arrival for hours, especially at peak times or in remote areas, in addition to the high financial cost.
- Use immediate repair materials
They are cans that contain a special liquid and injection to fill small holes. However, the effectiveness of these materials is very limited. They are only suitable for repairing very small holes in the surface area “tire tread”. Their effect is temporary and may cause permanent damage to air pressure sensors in tires.
Instant repair materials are a temporary solution for small holes only, but they may permanently damage the tire with repeated use, so a spare tire remains the best choice for safety and long-term savings.
Therefore, having an emergency spare tire remains the best and most reliable solution to ensure safety and avoid these unexpected risks.
The basic tools associated with the spare tire
It is not possible to benefit from having a healthy spare tire in your vehicle without having a complete and usable tool set through which you can change the tire safely and effectively, most notably:
- leveraged
It is the tool responsible for lifting the car off the ground, so you have enough space to remove the damaged tire and install the backup.
Make sure that the maximum crane load is higher than the total weight of your car, is of good quality, and that the gears or pumping mechanism “if hydraulic” operate smoothly without any cracks or curves in the base or arm.
- The key to the calf
It is a special wrench designed to remove and fix tire nuts or bolts. It is impossible to remove the wheel without this tool.
Make sure the wheel wrench size fits perfectly with the size of your vehicle's wheel nuts.
It is important to remove the wheel nuts before lifting the car in order to benefit from the wheel's contact with the ground for stability, the ability to exert greater force using the weight of the body, avoiding the risk of the car falling off the crane, and detecting any nuts that are stuck or firmly fixed while the car is still in a safe and stable position on the ground.
- Gauntlets
It is a necessity for safety, comfort and cleanliness as well, as it protects your hands from dirt, oil and grease accumulated on wheels and brakes, and prevents cuts or scratches from metal edges or rough surfaces.
The sturdy gloves also give you a better grip on the wheel wrench and jack, especially if your hands are sweaty or have oil.
The gloves also protect you from brakes and very hot wheels if you have been driving for a long time.
- Warning triangle
It is a very important tool to keep you safe from traffic while you are on the side of the road. Its aim is to alert drivers coming from behind to the presence of your broken car on the road, thus giving them enough time to slow down and change their lane.
In order for the triangle to perform its mission to the fullest, it must be positioned correctly, as the distance you place it in varies depending on the type of road.
In cities, for example, car speeds are relatively moderate, so it's enough to place the warning triangle 50 meters behind your car.
On highways or external roads, where the speeds are very high, the triangle should be placed at least 100 meters behind your car. The higher this distance, the better.
When changing the spare tire, make sure to place the triangle in a clear path of view, away from any visual obstacles. If your vehicle is standing on the side of a curve, the best solution is to place the triangle just before the beginning of the curve, as drivers can see it early.
Also, make sure that the reflective strips in the triangle are intact and clear, to ensure that you see it and understand the warning signal during the night hours or in fog and rain conditions.
Supplement your traditional tools with smart solutions such as emergency applications, but remember that basic tools such as the triangle and the winch remain the most reliable in all circumstances, especially in remote areas.
There are other recommended additional tools, such as: flashlight, reflective vest, hand wipes and detergents.
Steps to change the damaged tire with the spare tire
- Slow down as soon as you feel there is a fault in the tire, and find a safe and level place to park away from steep places or turns.
- Stop the engine, pull the handbrake tightly, and turn on the emergency lights to alert other drivers.
- You can wear a reflective vest if the road is congested, or visibility is poor, and place the warning triangle behind your car.
- Use the “wheel hitch” to fortify the remaining wheels, and make sure the transmission is in automatic stop, first shift or normal return position.
- Have all the necessary equipment ready from the trunk: the spare tire is “in good condition”, the jack, the wheel wrench, the gloves.
- Use the flat end of a wheel wrench or a dedicated tool to gently remove the decorative cover of your car wheel, and place the cover in a safe place away from traffic or any source of damage.
- Use the wheel wrench to unscrew the nuts counterclockwise. Do not remove them completely, but let them go about half a turn.
- Make sure to place the jack on the lift point in your car's chassis (as shown in the owner's manual). Lift the car slowly until the wheel is about 5 cm away from the ground.
- Now, after lifting, you can remove the wheel nuts completely, then gently pull the damaged wheel towards you to remove it from the axle, and place it on its side under the car chassis.
- Grab the spare tire, lift it, align its holes with the axle bolts, and gently push it inward until it is evenly in place.
- Place the wheel nuts on the bolts and tighten them firmly with your hand to hold the wheel in place in a balanced manner, to prevent misalignment and ensure a secure fit before using the tool for the final fastening.
- Lower the car slowly using the jack, until the tire touches the ground, then use the wheel wrench to tighten the nuts in a “star-shaped” cross-shaped manner to ensure a balanced tension.
- Lower the car completely, remove the jack, then tighten the nuts again and firmly, using the wheel wrench in the same cross pattern.
- If the spare tire allows, reinstall the wheel trim, and put the damaged wheel and tools back in the trunk.
- Make sure the air pressure in the spare tire is sufficient for driving. Remember that most spare tires are temporary tires designed for driving at low speeds and for short distances, so go immediately to the nearest service center to check and replace or repair the damaged tire.
In the end, don't forget the importance of a spare tire and that having it in your car is not a luxury. It is an imperative that provides you with protection and peace of mind on the road, but make sure to check it regularly to ensure it is ready when you really need it.
You can share your knowledge about the importance of a spare tire with your friends and family, or even through social media platforms. This simple procedure may save someone from a dangerous situation. Commitment to raising awareness also contributes to building a safer and more responsible community, where each driver becomes involved in protecting others.
A spare tire is the safety artery on the road. Get ready for emergencies by checking it periodically, and spread this culture to protect yourself and others from unexpected risks.
See more information about high-quality tires on the platform Your pathIt is the first Saudi company specialized in this field and has received the Saudi Quality Mark.
