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Most drivers find out their spare is flat at the worst moment, on a shoulder of the 10 at dusk. Route 66 Auto Repair in Upland checks the spare's pressure, age and condition, confirms the jack and lug wrench are there and work, and makes sure you know how to use them. If your car has an inflator kit instead of a spare, we check that too.
What kind of spare do you have?
- Compact temporary spare: a narrow tire with speed and distance limits printed on the wheel, often a higher pressure than your regular tires.
- Full-size spare: matches your other tires and can join a five-tire rotation if it is the same model and wheel.
- Underbody spare on trucks: hangs on a cable winch that rusts and seizes if never used.
- Inflator kit: a small compressor and sealant bottle that expires and cannot fix sidewall damage.
Why do spares fail when you need them?
A spare loses a little air every month like any tire, and nobody checks it. After a few years it can be too low to support the car. Heat in a trunk or under a truck bed ages the rubber even with no miles on it. Truck winch cables corrode from road water and seize. Jacks go missing after a car is sold, and wheel lock keys get lost.
Inflator kit sealant has an expiration date on the bottle. Expired sealant may not seal at all, and even fresh sealant cannot fix a cut sidewall.
Our spare tire inspection steps
Step 1: Lower or remove the spare
We access the spare, running a truck winch down to check the cable and latch.
Step 2: Pressure and condition
The spare is set to the pressure on its sidewall or placard and checked for cracks and age.
Step 3: Tools and kit
Jack, wrench, wheel lock key and any inflator kit are located and checked.
Step 4: Show you
We point out where everything lives and how the jack points on your car are marked.
What's included
Included on the work order
- 01Spare pressure set to spec
- 02Date code and sidewall check
- 03Winch cable check on underbody spares
- 04Jack, wrench and lock key located
- 05Inflator sealant expiration check
Need-now or need-later?
Need now: call
- A cracked or badly aged spare before a road trip
- A seized winch that will not lower the spare
Need later: book
- Replacing a missing jack or wheel lock key
- Buying a fresh sealant bottle before it expires
How pricing and timing work
A spare check is quick and pairs well with a tire rotation or oil change. A new spare, jack parts or a winch repair are listed on the written estimate first. AAA members save 10% on parts and labor, up to $75. If you have already used the spare, bring the flat in for flat tire patching or the faster rapid tire repair lane.
Frequently asked questions
How fast can I drive on a donut spare?
Follow the limit printed on the spare wheel or in your owner's manual, commonly around 50 mph, and keep the distance short. The spare is meant to get you to a repair.
Why does my spare need more air than my other tires?
Compact spares are designed to run at a higher pressure to carry the car on a smaller tire. The correct number is on the spare's sidewall or the placard.
My car has no spare. What should I do?
Many newer cars ship with an inflator kit or run-flat tires. We check the kit, explain its limits and tell you whether adding a spare fits your vehicle.