Compact Spare Tire

Your vehicle may have a compact spare tire. Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when your vehicle was new, it can lose air over time. Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be 60 psi (420 kPa).

Notice: If the vehicle has four-wheel drive and the compact spare tire is installed on the vehicle, do not drive in four-wheel drive until you can have the flat tire repaired and/or replaced. You could damage the vehicle, and the repair costs would not be covered by your warranty. Never use four-wheel drive when the compact spare tire is installed on the vehicle.

After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you should stop as soon as possible and make sure your vehicle's spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare is made to perform well at speeds up to 62 mph (100 km/h) for distances up to 500 miles (804 km). For heavy payloads or towing, and for low traction or four-wheel-drive conditions, repair or replace the full-size tire. Of course, it is best to replace your vehicle's spare with a full-size tire as soon as you can. The spare tire will last longer and be in good shape in case you need it again.

Notice: When the compact spare is installed, do not take the vehicle through an automatic car wash with guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on the rails which can damage the tire, wheel and other parts of the vehicle.

Do not use your compact spare on other vehicles.

And do not mix your compact spare tire or wheel with other wheels or tires. They will not fit. Keep your spare tire and its wheel together.

Notice: Tire chains will not fit the compact spare. Using them can damage the vehicle and can damage the chains too. Do not use tire chains on the compact spare.

Full-Size Spare Tire

Your vehicle may have a full-size spare tire, which, when new, was fully inflated. A spare tire may lose air over time, so check its inflation pressure regularly. See Inflation - Tire Pressure and Loading the Vehicle for information regarding proper tire inflation and loading your vehicle. For instruction on how to remove, install, or store a spare tire, see Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire and Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools.

Your vehicle may have a different size spare tire than the road tires originally installed on your vehicle. This spare was developed for use on your vehicle, so it is alright to drive on it. If your vehicle has four-wheel drive and the different size spare tire is installed, keep the vehicle in two-wheel drive.

Notice: If the vehicle has four-wheel drive and the different size spare tire is installed on the vehicle, do not drive in four-wheel drive until you can have your flat tire repaired and/or replaced. You could damage the vehicle, and the repair costs would not be covered by your warranty. Never use four-wheel drive when the different size spare tire is installed on the vehicle.

After installing the spare tire on your vehicle, you should stop as soon as possible and make sure the spare is correctly inflated. The spare tire is made to perform well at speeds up to 62 mph (100 km/h) for distances up to 500 miles (804 km). For heavy payloads or towing, and for low traction or four-wheel-drive conditions, repair or replace the full-size tire. Have the damaged or flat road tire repaired or replaced as soon as you can and installed back onto your vehicle. This way, the spare tire will be available in case you need it again.

Do not mix tires and wheels of different sizes, because they will not fit. Keep your spare tire and its wheel together.