Should You Keep a Spare Tire
Most drivers are better off keeping a spare, especially if their car came without one and they drive in areas where help can take a while to arrive.
Yes, if your situation allows for it
A spare tire is worth keeping. A flat on a rural road or late at night is a different problem if you can change the tire yourself instead of waiting for roadside help. Newer cars increasingly skip the spare in favor of a sealant kit or run-flat tires, and if that's what your car has, you're working with what the manufacturer gave you rather than choosing to go without.
Whether it matters for you depends on your car, how you drive, and what backup you already have in place. A full-size spare, a compact spare, a repair kit, and nothing at all each change what happens the moment you get a flat.
What your car came with
Check your trunk or your owner's manual before assuming anything. Some cars still include a full-size spare. Many now come with a compact spare meant for limited miles at limited speed, just enough to get to a repair shop. Others have no spare at all, only a sealant and inflator kit, which works for a small puncture but not for a blowout or a sidewall tear.
If your car didn't come with a spare, you can usually buy a compact one designed for your model and keep it in the trunk. This costs you cargo space and adds some weight, but it means a bad flat doesn't strand you.
If your car has run-flat tires, the tires themselves are built to be driven on for a short distance after losing pressure. That changes the math. A spare still has a role if you're going somewhere remote, but it's less urgent than it would be with standard tires and no backup.
Whatever you have, check that the spare is actually inflated and the jack is in the car. A spare that's flat or missing its tools doesn't help anyone.
Where and how you drive
Someone who mostly drives in town, close to home, with a phone and a roadside plan, can manage with less backup than someone who drives long stretches of highway or rural road where a tow truck or a family member might be an hour or more away.
If you drive somewhere with poor cell coverage, a spare you can put on yourself matters more. Waiting for help isn't always an option, and a sealant kit won't fix a torn sidewall or a tire that's come apart.
If you have a roadside assistance plan through your insurer, your auto club, or your car's manufacturer, find out what it actually covers. Some plans will bring a tow but won't carry a spare tire for you. Others will change a flat on the spot if you have a usable spare in the car, which only helps if you have one.
If changing a tire yourself isn't something you can do, a spare is still worth having for whoever you call for help, but a roadside plan that includes tire changes matters more for you than it would for someone comfortable doing it themselves.
Questions people ask about this
Does car insurance cover a flat tire?
Standard auto insurance usually doesn't cover a flat tire from normal wear, since that's considered maintenance. If the flat came from an accident or something covered under comprehensive, like road debris or vandalism, it may be different. Check your policy's comprehensive coverage and ask your insurer directly what counts.
Is roadside assistance worth it for older drivers?
It depends on how often you'd use it and what it costs compared to paying for a tow or tire change out of pocket when needed. If you drive long distances, drive at night, or would rather not change a tire yourself, it tends to be worth having. Ask your insurer whether it's already included or available as an add-on.
Can I drive on a compact spare long distance?
No, compact spares are built for limited miles at reduced speed, usually just enough to reach a repair shop. Driving further than that risks damaging the spare or affecting how the car handles. Check your owner's manual for the exact limits on your specific spare.
What should I keep in my car in case of a flat tire?
At minimum, a properly inflated spare, a jack, and a lug wrench that fits your car. A flashlight, gloves, and a reflective triangle or flares help if you're stopped on the side of a road. If you have a repair kit instead of a spare, check that the sealant hasn't expired.
Do I need a different spare tire for winter driving?
A spare should be roughly the same type as your other tires for grip and handling, so a winter-rated spare makes sense if you run winter tires. If your spare is a compact one meant for short distances, it's not built for sustained winter driving, only for getting you to a shop.
If you want to know what your roadside coverage actually includes, it helps to compare what different insurers offer.
This week, check your trunk and confirm what's actually there, a full-size spare, a compact spare, or just a repair kit, and whether it's in usable condition. Look up your owner's manual for any mileage or speed limits on that spare. Call your insurer or check your policy to see what your roadside assistance, if you have it, actually covers when it comes to flat tires. If you don't have a spare and your car didn't include one, ask a dealer or parts store whether a compatible compact spare is available for your model. If changing a tire yourself isn't realistic for you, treat roadside coverage as the more important piece to get right.
