Hey guys, I bent my rim (front passenger side) and it shakes pretty bad at 45 mph and I need to go back home to Chicago from St Louis (total 280 miles) tomorrow and was thinking about putting spare on. Although it says only 50 or 55 mph for the spare plus I don't know about driving it on a spare for such a long distance. What do you guys think? I need feedback. Thanks.

 

as long as the tire is ok you wont have a problem...

 

That is a long distance to be driving on a temporary spare. On the other hand driving on a rim that shakes when doing highway speeds is a danger to yourself and others not to mention possibly causing further damage to your steering or suspension. Your optimum solution is to get a replacement rim that can handle highway speeds and that distance.

 

Is fixing the bent wheel an option? I think you'll be fine with the spare, but not sure if there are any consequences to differentials driving that long of a distance.

 

hey just a quick question, since we're on the rim topic, i have a bent rim and i was wondering if i can take it somewer to fix, and i woulden't drive that far on a spare they're only made for 60 mph max and if you hit a pot hole (especially since your going to chicago) you could blow out and have alot more damage to the car

 

280 miles on the spare?! NOOOOOOO. You'll burn right through all the tread and blow the damn spare up 50-100 miles into it.

 

Find a place here in StL to get the rim fixed. Where in StL are you? I could help you find a place to get the rim fixed.

 

Yea I don't think a donut will get you 280 miles. On top of the speed limitations, I think there's a recommended mileage limitation of 50 miles or something.

+1 to see if you can get it fixed enough to get home.

 

might want to rent a car?

 

A lot of hearsay posted on here about spare tires.

Although I would advise against driving that far on a spare tire, it can safely be done. There is no mileage limitation on the tire saying it's going to self destruct at 50 miles, and the 50 mph deal is more a suggestion...although a good one.

The main issue is with heat. With such a small tire it heats up quicker than a regular one. You can safely make the trip back with the spare, but I highly suggest taking frequent breaks from driving. Whether it be stop off for some food or give the tire a few minutes break at a rest stop...if you do this your potential for running into problems with the spare tire is greatly reduced.

Spare tires aren't made like they used to be. The ones that came with older cars are the ones that were a danger above 50mph and you generally got 50 - 100 miles on them before it was gone. Quality has come a long way with them.

I'd second trying to find a replacement wheel first, and use the spare as a last resort as it's meant to be.

All of the above is my opinion, but I've worked in the tire/automotive business for years so take it for what it's worth.

 

I recently drove on my spare tire for about 70 miles and the drive was just fine. If necessary you can make the trip, but I would take a break every 90-100 miles so the spare does not heat up too much.

 

I don't have first hand experience driving on spare tires for long distances, but I kinda agree with the two people above. If you take it easy, I think the spare will last you; given you don't have any other option and the spare is new and correct tire pressure.

 

I guess you could look at it another way. What are your plans if you happen to get another flat, or did blow the spare?

Personally I'm not the risk-taking type. That's a pretty fair ways to keep your fingers crossed. I guess you could throw the bad rim on and drive 40 the rest of the way home.

 

Did you get home OK on the spare or did you get the rim fixed?