How much abuse have given to a donut spare?
 

How fast can you really drive on these things? How fast have you driven on one and for how long?

We were coming back to AZ after visiting my wifes family in Texas. Our daughter (thankfully) needed a potty break north of Globe AZ. We were on a very twisty mountain road when we spotted a rest area. As I was about to get back in my Mazda5 I noticed that the left rear wheel had about 10 pounds of air in it. Fortunately the donut had enough air in it to use, but definitely below the 60 pounds it needs. I took it easy for the 30-40 miles worth of twisties until we reached town. According to the gauge built into the pump at the convenience store there was around 30 pounds in the donut.

I felt a little better once it was up to 60 pounds, but still didn't like running it another 100 miles that was half mountain road and half highway. I kept it at 60 mph on the highway thinking I was safer running the donut a bit faster than rated rather than driving 25-30mph under the average speed on Phoenix's highways. I'm sure if we'd skipped that rest area the tire would have come apart or come off the rim. As it is, I don't think any serious damage was done to the tire. Once it's properly patched I expect it will be fine.

last year in new orleans i saw a kid driving a honda on four spare donut tires, with enough spacers to get the wheels out a good six or seven inches outside the wheel well. i imagine that he thought it was really cool. wish that i had a picture to show.
no idea how far or fast he got to on them though.

I think the speed rating has more to do with the speed of a large vehicle on a small tire than the actual tire construction. The VW drag guys run them as front tires on bugs. I had a set on a Manx that I played around with and they were fine.

Lee, you don't have an air compressor in all of your vehicles? ;)

I can tell you that at the rated pressure they are VERY tough. I went to a law enforcement pursuit school and on the day I was there a Ford Tempo was pitted ("precision intervention technique" where the cop taps the car in front of him from behind putting it into a spin) about 80-100 times with an emergency spare donut on the right rear wheel of the Tempo. Couldn't believe it held up... :eek:

Yeah, I usually throw the compressor in the back... but then again I usually check the air in the spare before a long trip, too. I can't remember the last time I had to change a tire on the side of the road. I bet it's been more than 20 years. I sure am glad my 7 year old needed a potty break! The whole situation had the potential to be a disaster.

I am ANAL about tire pressure. More so because it so drastically affects vehicle handling. Each of
my cars has its own air compressor and quality tire gauge. I have never had to use a spare. The only problems I've ever had have been from running over nails.

I even have a little chart that I made for the 951 with what tire pressures I like at each wheel depending on the outside air temperature.