How to Buy a Spare Tire

Your car should come equipped with its own spare tire when you purchase the car. Sometimes you need to buy a new spare if your previous one sprung a leak, you don't like having the smaller-sized spare--a donut--as your backup tire, or you used your full-size spare on another flat tire. The great thing about buying a full-size spare tire is you don't need replace it once it's installed.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Read your car's owner's manual to see what size tire to purchase. Although it's OK if you want to buy a donut, or a space-saver tire, they tend to be expensive. It's best to buy a full-size spare since you can use it as a regular tire.

2. Examine your car's spare tire storage area. Some cars whose spares sit in the trunk have a predetermined amount of space for the spare. This is a downfall if you want to buy a full-size spare since it might not fit in the space allotted for a donut-sized tire.

3. Visit a tire store or auto mechanic to purchase the tire. Make sure when you bring the spare tire home that it's fully inflated.

4. Install your spare tire in your car. Check to make sure you have the jack in your car as well, since you never know when you may need to change a flat tire.

Tips & Warnings

• Even though you keep your spare tire out-of-sight, whether stowed in the trunk, in your car's cargo area or under your car, make sure the tire remains properly inflated. You never know when you may need to change a flat tire and use the spare.
• Don't forget to buy a new spare tire if you use it for an emergency tire change.