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You can skip the story and go straight to the questions at the bottom if you’re pressed for time.
Driving down the highway today I heard a funny persistent noise coming from the rear and couldn’t figure out what it was. Shortly after the TPMS came on and I realized it was due to a flat. I checked the pressure and it read 29 while the others were all 34. I kept driving and watched it drop to 26 so I took an exit and stopped at a strip mall. I called AAA and the automated interface was so bad I hung up after a few tries and called Acura roadside assistance—found the number at the back of the manual. Much better than AAA and they dispatched a AAA service truck! The guy replaced the tire with the donut spare.
I have a few questions—
- I was told not to exceed 50 mph on regular roads and 55 on the highway. But I forgot to ask about distance. What is the maximum distance I can drive on this?
- Should be buying a new spare as well? I assume so. Better to get it at the dealer or doesn’t matter?
- The nail was pretty big so I doubt the tire will be repairable (see pic). Should I buy a new one of the same type ($250 installed from my local America’s Tire Co.) or use this as an opportunity to replace the OEMs?
A general rule of thumb is to drive no more than 70 miles and no faster than 50 miles per hour before replacing your donut with a new tire. The biggest reason to use these space savers for a short period of time is because they have little to no tread. This makes the spare vulnerable to road hazards and projectiles.
I see no reason to replace the donut spare unless it's somehow been damaged. They are not a single use item. Don't know if there's any limit on how far you should drive on the spare but I'd be anxious to get it off ASAP.
My understanding is any puncture up to 1/4" can be repaired so long as it's in the tread area which it looks like your is. Have a reputable shop look at it before deciding to replace it - unless you really want to swap out all the OEMs.
Since the nail is in the tread; inboard of the sidewall, I think they should be able to fix it even though it's a big one.
I had a similar nail in a tire on my old Accord.
They repaired it for $15 and I drove on the repaired tire for 30K miles with no issues at all.
If, however, you want to use it as an excuse to get a better set of tires, I wouldn't think of trying to dissuade you. :wink:
I did a "bing" similar to @thoiboi 's google, and I found the same article about donut life. But I was wondering if the RDX's is different than the rule of thumb for whatever reason. I checked the spare and don't find any details written on the spare either.
Why replace the donut? Because by the time I get it replaced I will have driven over 80 miles, probably close to 100 miles. I was > 20 miles from home today and I have to get to the rescheduled appointment tomorrow as well (about 60 miles round trip) before the local shop has a replacement tire in stock.
When I stopped in the strip mall, there was an off-road wheel/tire store there. I asked them to take a look and they were the ones that mentioned it's not repairable. But they said it would be better if someone that is capable of replacing it takes it off and makes the call on that. So I called America's Tire Co. and had them order a replacement which they said they expect to have some time tomorrow.
That's the tire I've been thinking about as well.
It has the 3 peak/snowflake symbol, fantastic reviews, and way cheaper than Michelin, Pirelli, Continental.
The last time I looked, they were on backorder.
Just checked again and they're in stock at the CT distribution center but, that wouldn't help you in CA.....
Last edited by catbert430; Dec 13, 2018 at 09:11 PM.
Just checked again and they're in stock at the CT distribution center but, that wouldn't help you in CA.....
Assuming you mean at a national tire shop, they can usually get it shipped to anywhere in the country, just takes a few days (even if it's already at another store). If at a local distribution center, they can get it within 24 hours.
A donut tire is designed to get you home or to a repair shop – not for joyrides or full-time use. In fact, driving for too long on one of these little guys can do some serious damage to the transmission. If you have a donut on your vehicle, swap it out with a full-size tire within 50 to 60 miles and replace the spare, Paul said.
At this point, I would replace the one tire if you only have a few miles on it. By the way, Tire Rack will shave a tire for you to make the new tire equal the tread depth of the other tires, and if you have more than a couple thousand miles on the car I would consider it. Get a tread depth gauge.
Here's mine a month or so a go, bring the car to the dealer, and they check told me that they will replace the tire under warranty if they unplug the screw and found the tire damage, luckily the screw doesn't go through all the way, so it's ok, but my point is you should check with your dealer first, before decide to replace the tire your self..oh by the way I didn't buy any extra warranty to cover the tires..
I called my local dealer and talked about it. The SA said they don't cover punctures, but if fixable, they would do it for free. Otherwise, I would have to pay for the replacement. Their cost for the tire & labor is about $40 more than America's Tire Co., but they'll wash the car and vacuum it while it's there.
I called my local dealer and talked about it. The SA said they don't cover punctures, but if fixable, they would do it for free. Otherwise, I would have to pay for the replacement. Their cost for the tire & labor is about $40 more than America's Tire Co., but they'll wash the car and vacuum it while it's there.
ya that's really too bad, they told I am cover whether it puncture or damage..
I got it replaced today at the dealer. They confirmed that it couldn't be repaired. They matched the price of America's Tire Co. and I got a free car wash.
They said the spare is still good. The parts guy looked to see if it had any mileage rating but it didn't.
I had a flat after a few weeks of ownership but the tire was saved. First flat in many years. Then the next week my wife had a flat and the tire was saved. First one for her in many years. Hoping a new run of many years has now begun!!
I had a screw in my tire that was a little closer to the edge of the tread than Yotrek's and my dealer was able to save the tire. Went ahead and put a new one on and just kept the saved tire. After that incident I plan on getting the spare tire kit for my A-Spec. Rather have the inflator and a spare for what ever happens.
and here's the first post:
