Stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire, you open your trunk and begin to look for the spare but wait a minute...it’s not there! Unfortunately, this is a common reality in the 2020s for all new vehicles as many new vehicles don’t come with a spare tire in the trunk anymore.
You may be remembering times of the past in which a vehicle had a spare tire mounted in the trunk or underneath the vehicle and a small little jack to go with it. However those days — just like a vehicle’s spare tire — are gone.
Nowadays modern vehicles tend to come with no spare and just a small can of flat tire repair gel. While it gets the job done, this isn’t the most desirable way to handle an unexpected flat tire.
Nobody wants to spend time on the side of the road, at the mercy of the elements, all because of a flat tire. That’s why you need to carry a spare tire in your vehicle. Carrying a spare tire in your vehicle not only allows you to get back on the road quicker, but it provides peace of mind. There are a few different types of spare tires available on the market to suit every need, here’s a list of available types of spare tires.
Sharing the same dimensions as the vehicle’s standard tire, a full-size spare is one of the most effective options for a spare tire there is. Unlike a temporary spare or “doughnut”, a full-size spare allows you to travel at regular speeds as if you never had a flat in the first place.
Minimal downtime is one of the biggest upsides to a full-size spare, making it a great option for those who make a living on the road. Although the full-size spare offers plenty of benefits, there are some downsides as well.
A full-size spare is heavy, which means it takes up more space — and consumes more fuel. This shouldn’t stop you from considering a full-size spare, but it should be something you take into consideration.
If a full-size spare tire is the right option for you, call our parts professionals at Dell's Auto today to order your full-size spare.
While a true full-size spare is the most effective option, the drawback of it taking up so much space in the vehicle is something to consider. With that being said, if you don’t have the space for a full-size spare, a temporary full-size spare is a great alternative.
A temporary full-size spare tire is just like your regular, full-size tire, but with smaller tread depth and less weight. This design saves space while remaining an effective spare tire option.
A temporary full-size spare will allow you to safely drive to Dell's Auto Service Center so you can get a new tire mounted and balanced on the car. A temporary full-size spare is a great option for those that carry a lot of cargo, or even those driving compact cars which don’t have a lot of room for a full-size spare.
A compact temporary spare may not be the most effective option in terms of being able to drive on it for miles or at regular speeds. However, that doesn’t mean it’s completely ineffective or useless. With a compact temporary spare, you can travel a short distance at lower speeds in order to reach safety.
The compact temporary spare is a bit smaller and narrower than a full-size spare but it’s still just as useful when you have an unexpected flat tire. These compact temporary spares or “doughnuts” tend to be the traditional spare tire most think of when they think of flat tire repair.
If you want a spare that will function long enough to help you arrive at Dell's Auto Service Center for a repair — opt for the compact temporary spare.
A folding temporary spare is a small spare tire, similar to the “doughnut” spare but it is even more compact. It can be deflated and folded for easy storage, making it a great option for those with limited cargo space.
These spares do require inflation before usage, which is an important thing to keep in mind when selecting the right spare tire to keep on hand. While you may not be able to travel at regular speeds with this tire, you will be able to safely arrive at Dell's Auto Service Center.
The most cutting-edge technology when it comes to spare tires is the Run-Flat spare tire. Run-Flat tires allow you to keep driving at regular speeds for up to 50 miles from the initial puncture.
This incredible technology allows a driver to safely and effectively drive in almost any type of condition to reach their mechanic’s shop in the event of an unexpected flat tire. Run-Flats are one of the most expensive spare tire options, but also one of the most effective outside of carrying a full-size spare.
Loving the sound of a Run-Flat tire? Then come on down to Dell's Auto and have one of our parts professionals place your order today. Here at Dell's Auto, we don’t just offer the best prices on our cars, we offer it on our parts as well.
While flat tires are almost always unexpected and incredibly inconvenient, they are an inevitable part of owning a vehicle. Making sure you select the right kind of spare tire that fits all of your needs is a great way to help minimize the interference of an unexpected flat tire.
Utilizing a spare tire properly can save you time, money and aggravation, that’s why it’s important to have one handy. The function of most spare tires is to help you get off the road and arrive safely at a service center like the one here at Dell's Auto.
Whether you want a set of Run-Flat tires or a temporary spare, the parts professionals here at Dell's Auto can help. We offer the best selection of tires, spares and even Run-Flats — all at the best prices in Dell Rapids. Don’t end up stranded waiting for a tow truck to arrive, equip your vehicle with a spare tire from Dell's Auto today.