What not to do when driving on a donut?
Asked by: Merl Gislason | Last update: October 4, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (72 votes)
What are the rules for driving on a donut?
You should drive no more than 50 miles on a temporary or donut spare tire if possible. If you absolutely must go longer than 50 miles, avoid driving on it longer than 70 miles.
What to do when driving on a spare tire?
- Be ready for compromised handling, cornering, and braking.
- Drive slower, generally no more than 50 mph.
- Beware that your traction and stability control systems won't be working properly.
- Make sure the tire pressure is where it needs to be.
What happens if you drive on a donut too long?
Spare tires, especially the smaller donut types, are meant for temporary use only. If you use them for too long, they are likely to have a blowout. Additionally, using them for too long will put a strain on your vehicle's suspension and transmission, especially in cars with all-wheel drive.
Can you damage your car doing donuts?
Your drivetrain typically includes the engine, transmission, driveshaft, axles, differentials and CV joints. These parts are key to ensuring your vehicle drives correctly and are often quite expensive to replace or repair. Unfortunately, doing donuts can damage all of these components.
Don't Do That! Why Driving on A Flat Tire Is Dangerous, And Could Cause More Damage!
Can driving on a donut ruin your transmission?
In general, you should not drive more than 50 miles with a donut. Donut spares are not the same size as the rest of your tires. They are smaller and have thinner contact patches, which could make your car handle unusually. Driving on a donut for prolonged periods can even damage your transmission and suspension.
Does drifting ruin your transmission?
Engine and Transmission
Contrary to popular belief, drifting doesn't necessarily cause immediate damage to your engine or transmission. However, if you push your car beyond its limits or neglect regular maintenance, the aggressive driving style in drifting can increase stress on these components.
What not to do with a spare tire?
Avoid overloading your vehicle when driving on a spare tire, as excessive weight can damage the spare and compromise your safety on the road. You should also stick close to home, or limit your driving to only the most important destinations. Temporary spare tires are not meant for extended travel.
What's the difference between a spare tire and a donut?
A donut spare tire is a small, temporary tire that is used to get you to a safe place in case of a flat tire. A regular spare tire is a full-size tire that is the same as the ones on your car. It is advisable to have a regular spare tire in your trunk, in case of an emergency.
What is a safe speed for a donut?
Space-Saver Spare Tires aka "Donut" Spare Ties
The limits of a space-saver spare tire are: Speed limit of 50 miles per hour. Shouldn't be driven more than 70 miles.
How long can you realistically drive on a spare tire?
Nearest Approved Auto Repair Facilities
You should not drive over 50 mph and no more than 50 miles with a donut-type spare tire. Driving for long distances on a spare tire can potentially cause damage to other car parts, including the transmission.
What is the 50/50 rule for spare tires?
We're here to help explain how long you can drive on a spare tire along with some other safety tips to keep in mind. After you've replaced your defective tire with a temporary spare, it's important to remember the rule of 50. You shouldn't drive more than 50 miles on a temporary tire or go faster than 50 mph.
When driving on a donut spare tire, which warning lights might you see?
When this spare tire pressure goes below specs, the TPMS light would pop up solid on dash even when I don't use it. Share.. Your spare tire does not have a tire pressure sensor. So the system thinks that one tire is completely flat.
How fast can you really go on a spare tire?
Spare Space-Saver Tire
If you're asking yourself, "How long can I drive on a spare tire," or "How fast can I go on a spare tire,"-- consider the following: Spares tires have a maximum speed of 50 mph. Spare tires shouldn't be driven for more than 70 miles. You'll have less traction than with a full-size spare.
Is doing donuts in a public parking lot illegal?
Law enforcement has explicitly emphasized that actions like 360-degree spins, burnouts, drifting, and donuts are now subject to charges. As of September 12, 2021, amendments to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) extend these regulations to private property.
Can I drive 200 miles on a spare tire?
Because they are less durable, temporary spares not designed to handle adverse road conditions or operate the same as full-size tires. As a rule of thumb, you should not drive on a temporary spare tire for more than 50 miles.
What psi should a donut be at?
Spare tire inflation pressure should be checked monthly and before any long trips. Use an accurate gauge. T-type temporary spare tires require 60 psi (420 kPa).
Is it better to have a donut tire on the front or back?
You don't want to replace your front tire with a spare since your vehicle often weighs more in the front, which puts excess pressure on a tire that's much smaller than a standard-sized part, potentially leading to a variety of issues like throwing you off course when you attempt to turn.
What are the cons of driving on a spare tire?
Plus, the tread can be vastly different, or the tire may not be designed for long distances. Regardless, those differences can decrease your control, reduce stopping power, cause hydroplaning on wet roads, and can damage your transmission and other parts of your vehicle.
What to know about driving on a donut?
Since a donut spare isn't meant for prolonged use or at speeds over 50 miles per hour, you should avoid driving on the highway with one. Instead, take local roads if possible. Travel in the lane furthest right and keep your speed under 50 mph.
What are the restrictions on a spare tire?
However, the tire itself is not built to last. Your owner's manual will give recommendations for driving time and speed. A general rule of thumb is to drive no farther than 70 miles and no faster than 50 miles per hour before replacing your donut with a new tire.
Should the spare tire be 60 PSI on or off the car?
The ideal pressure for the spare tire is around 60 pounds per square inch (PSI). It's a smaller tire and it's only for emergency use, typically going like a max of like 55 miles an hour. If you own a heavier vehicle like a truck or SUV, you will need full-sized spare tires.
Is it illegal to drift on the road?
You won't be able to just drift in your neighborhood, or on any streets for that matter as it's completely illegal. But, many race tracks allow you to legally race, drift, and compete against others.
Is drifting easier in manual or automatic?
Pick a manual transmission car to make drifting easier.
When you're drifting, the extra control enables you to achieve the correct speed and angle required to get around a bend. Tip: You can still drift an automatic car by using the handbrake technique.
Does driving fast hurt your transmission?
Fast Shifting
Shifting too quickly from park to reverse to drive can affect your transmission over time. So can driving fast and accelerating/decelerating too quickly while driving. Smoother driving habits and more gradual shifting between gears will help protect your transmission system.