No driver would want a flat tire while driving. But in case such a day comes when you do have a flat tire, then the best option in such a scenario is to drive with a spare tire. Therefore, if you are a smart driver then you need to ensure that you always have a spare tire handy to combat such a situation. These days most of the cars do have a spare tire. This is extremely handy and it is very important to keep this in your car.

Know about how the different spare tires work and for how long can you use them

There is no set rule as to how long each spare tire can be used because it depends on several factors:

• A full-size spare tire

This can use these tires as much as a regular tire and you can continue using them till the time the tire completely wears out. You might believe that the spare tire will be like your original tire, but that might not always be the case. If your tire was there for more than 5 years then it might have holes and cracks on them and you might need to put pressure on them before you attach them to the wheels of the car. If these tires are kept outside, there is a very high possibility for them to get damaged by the UV rays and the road debris. It is therefore important to inspect them at least once every month. Though these tires can go as long as a normal tire, you must get your spare tire repaired so that you are not driving without a spare tire for long. Good car insurance in Ireland will also help you to protect your car against any financial damage that might be caused to it due to an accident.

• Donut Spare Tire

This spare tire is smaller in size and has the size of a donut then it is referred to as a donut tire. You will be able to drive for about 70 miles at a speed of not more than 50 km.hr. But most people cover a much larger distance with the spare donut tire because they have never flipped through the manual to know the exact limit. It is better to drive this car with such a tire only till a mechanic shop. The exact mileage and the speed rating will depend on the type of sidewalls that this particular tire has. You should try to replace this tire with a full-sized tire as soon as possible. This is an elementary tire that is produced by the manufacturers to save space and cost. It just has a basic steel rim and is undersized. This tire also has very little tread. They are highly vulnerable and subject to a lot of damages.

• Run Flat Spare

This type of spare tires is becoming quite popular these days. This is because the manufacturers consider it to be the best solution between the costly full-sized spare tires and the vulnerable donut tires. The latest model cars have these types of tires. These tires are quite tough and endure a lot of hazards. The biggest advantage is that these cars can go for about 50 kilometres even after they get punctured.

Apart from having a good spare tire, it is also important to get proper car insurance. When you choose a car insurance company, make sure that you opt for one of the best car insurance Ireland.