Emergency tires are mandatory equipment in Brazil and require some care so as not to leave the driver in trouble
Many drivers only remember the spare tire of the car when they need it. And if you haven’t taken some simple precautions, you run the risk of the spare tire not being useful in the emergency.
Many of these precautions are the same as those we must take with running tires. Even if you haven’t had a flat tire in a few years, it’s worth having the spare tire up to date, as we only need it when we least expect it.
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The spare tire is the name given to the spare tire of the car, to be used in case any of the four main ones puncture. It is popularly called “step”, but this term is wrong.
The spare tire usually comes under the trunk floor. In most cars it is inside the passenger compartment, but there are models where it is outside under the floor and exposed. A car that deviates from the usual is the first generation of the Uno and its derivatives, where the tire is inside the engine vault.
It is usually next to the tools to perform the change, such as the jack, the wheel wrench and a lever to operate the jack. A screwdriver or Philips can also be attached to remove the hubcaps.
There are two types of spare tires: the running tire and the temporary. The first uses a similar measurement to the other wheels, and can be used normally at any speed.
The most common is to be a stamped steel wheel, even if the others are made of light alloy. He can also use a smaller diameter wheel, but with tires of the same diameter as the others. Spare tire with alloy wheels and tires equal to those of the road is common in off-road vehicles.
The temporary spare tire, on the other hand, uses a much thinner tire than the usual one to take up less space in the trunk. This type became common because the wheels of modern cars grew, in the past 14 and 15 inch rims were common, today there are compact SUVs with 18 and 19 inch wheels.
A spare tire with these measurements would be large and heavy, stealing space in the trunk and making it difficult to change for drivers with less arm strength. That’s why temps became popular.
The temporary spare tire requires care from the driver, as it cannot run at high speeds. It was made to run at up to 80 km/h and allow the car to reach a tire repair shop or change the flat tire.
The spare tire is a greater concern in emerging countries, where the asphalt is not well cared for and the risks of puncture are greater. In Europe and China, for example, this component has fallen into disuse.
This factor, together with the growth of the wheels, made the equipment fall into disuse in imported cars. In its place comes an emergency kit consisting of a sealant and a compressor, which solve the problem in cases of small holes in the tread.
But if the damage sustained is greater, such as a cut on the side or large holes, the sealant will be useless. Then just calling the tow truck to a rubber worker.
Resolution 14/1998 of the National Traffic Council (Contran) provides that cars must have a spare tire, jack, wheel wrench and a screwdriver to be able to run on public roads. Without these items, he will be in breach of article 230 of the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB).
This is considered a serious infraction, resulting in a fine of R$ 195.23, 5 points on the National Driver’s License (CNH) and retention of the vehicle for regularization. That is, running without a spare tire yields a fine.
There is an exception for cars that already leave the factory without the spare tire or use run-flat tires. They need to have the repair kit with sealant and compressor on board.
When calibrating the tires, remember to calibrate the spare tire as well. If it’s hard to access, you can do the calibration once a month, but put in 5 pounds more to make sure it’s inflated when you need it.
If it is identical to the other wheels, it is recommended to place it on the tire caster. That way all tires will wear out evenly.
Even without using it, the spare tire can age. The tire rubber dries out over time and loses its properties, impairing grip in all situations.
Tires for use last, on average, five years, and may vary according to the conditions. When the spare tire is stored inside the car, it can last longer, as it suffers less from the heat.
But if he’s 10 years old or older, change him. The argument of having a spare tire that has never run has been used a lot in the past to value cars, but it means that there is an old tire that can be dangerous when used.
