6 Spare Tire Facts You Need to Know

Flat Tire Service 317-247-8484

Flat Tire Service 317-247-8484

Being the responsible driver and vehicle owner that you are, you are sure to renew your license plate when necessary, pay your insurance on time, maintain a valid drivers’ license, stay on top of all scheduled maintenance, go the speed limit (most of the time anyway), and wear your seat belt. There is not much you’ve missed over the years in terms of driver/vehicle responsibility.

But there is one way you can kick it up a notch: Learn important and relative information about your vehicle’s spare tires! Your spare tires are a very important and beneficial component to you and your vehicle, but they tend to go unnoticed until they are needed. So simply review some facts about spare tires and be better prepared the next time you get a flat. Now, continue reading if you wish to increase your driving knowledge!

Spare Tires are Not For Permanent Use

Factory direct spare tires are not the same as conventional tires. They are smaller, lighter, and more compact, making them more vulnerable than standard vehicle tires. For this reason, spare tires are not manufactured nor intended to be a permanent replacement for regular tires. Check your owners’ manual for details about your vehicle’s tire specs. And always have a spare tire swapped out for a standard one as soon as possible.

Additionally, it is important to note that replacement spare tires are full size tires. Although they are narrower and more compact, they are still the same diameter as your vehicle’s standard issued tires. This ensures driving maintains stable and even. On the other hand, there are some replacement spare tires that are not the same size as standard ones. It all depends on the brand and model.

Smaller Spare Tires are Limited Use Tires

Smaller or compact spares, popularly known as “donuts”, are limited-use tires. This means they are not manufactured to provide the same benefits and performance levels as regular tires. Compact spare tires are meant emergency tire replacement and short travel. They are supposed to safely get you to the nearest tire shop as soon as possible, not replace your old tire entirely.

Driving on a Spare Can Reduce Miles Per Gallon (MPG)

Your vehicle’s MPG can be negatively affected if you drive on a spare tire for a prolonged distance or period of time. This applies whether it’s a full size spare or a compact. It is recommended to use the lightest option spare tire for your vehicle to avoid dragging around more than you need.

Not All Vehicles Need Spare Tires Anymore

With the new tubeless tire technology entering the market, many newer model vehicles are not even equipped with a factory direct spare tire because they don’t need it. Tubeless tires do not “go flat” in the conventional sense, making them drivable for longer after taking on sudden damage or stress. This is one technology that has influenced the next fact.

Many Spare Tires are Becoming Obsolete

Not all spare tires that once were, are still today. There are several spare tire brands and models that are not manufactured anymore. So older vehicles may come with an outdated folding spare tire, or another type that is not available on the market any longer. Also, the future of spare tires may be bleak with the new and on-going advancements in tire technology.

Spare Tires Still Need Proper Tire Pressure

Even though spare tires are not our vehicle’s “real” tires, they still need to maintain proper inflation, which means the tire pressure needs checked every so often. You can use any standard tire pressure gauge to accomplish this.

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance

Zore's Inc. Indianapolis Indiana

Zore’s Indy 317-247-8484

If your tire goes flat and you don’t have a spare, call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for prompt and affordable roadside assistance and towing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We provide a wide range of roadside assistance services, including flat tires, fuel runs, lockouts, engine trouble, and towing. With more than 75 years in business, you can rest assure that our Indianapolis roadside assistance services are both trustworthy and effective!

Consider a Roadside Assistance Company for Safe Driving in Indianapolis

Roadside Assistance Service 317-247-8484

Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Safe driving is a must, and considering a roadside assistance company to have your back while on the road is a very smart choice. If you find yourself on the side of the road with a flat tire, they can help with that. If you are stuck in a muddy ditch, they can help with that too! Even if you lock your keys in your car, some even have technology that can unlock car doors from miles away! Roadside assistance companies vary in terms of the services they offer and the technologies they use to provide their services. Basically, there are many options out there when choosing a roadside assistance team.

Third Party Roadside Assistance Programs

Depending on the amount of roadside assistance you think you might need, and the situations you feel are most common and likely to happen to you, are the primary deciding factors in adopting a roadside assistance program. If you are a mother or father of young drivers, perhaps you would want a consistent program that you and your family can rely on, no matter what time of day or night. This type of roadside assistance is a bit more costly, like OnStar and AAA. They assist you with many problems, and can instruct you on what to do if your car has just been towed, if it breaks down or has a flat tire, if you’re locked out, if you are out of gas, and much more

Professional Towing Company

Another roadside rescue option would be calling a professional tow company. There are many Indianapolis towing companies that work around the clock, 24/7, to help people who are locked out of their cars, have flat tires, need pulled out of snow embankments, and more. Their services are usually al-a-carte and much cheaper than corporate roadside assistance companies like AAA and OnStar. This is a great option for mature and experienced drivers that may only need roadside assistance every once in a while. This way, the driver isn’t wasting money paying monthly fees to a big company when they hardly need to utilize the actual service. A professional towing company charges only when the service is requested and provided.

Not a lot of people realize that some professional tow companies in Indianapolis provide roadside assistance in addition to towing and recovery. But not all companies are alike. It is important to choose a company that has a long-standing god reputation in the Indianapolis communities, and has been in business for a long time. This ensures you are doing business with a reputable and well-established company that is still around because of their integrity and quality of service.

Zore’s Indy

Zore's Inc. Indianapolis Indiana

Zore’s Indy 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Indy at 317-247-8484 for prompt and affordable roadside assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are a family owned and operated company with more than 75 years in business here in Indiana! We offer a wide range of services for Hoosiers, including roadside assistance, scrap metal recycling, cash for junk cars, towing and recovery, storm damage, traffic clearance, and much more. Call us today at 317-247-8484 for more information about our
professional roadside assistance services in
Indianapolis
, IN.

How to Assemble a Roadside Emergency Kit

All vehicles, cars and trucks alike, should have an adequate emergency roadside kit in them at all times. Emergencies are unexpected, so being prepared can make a stressful or dangerous situation a lot more manageable; not to mention, safer and more efficient. Many drivers prefer to keep theses kits in their trunks, but for those without extra storage space in their vehicles, the backseat is fine.

To avoid sacrificing space in this case, you can use storage accessories that attach to the back of the driver and passenger seats. They contain sleeves and slits that hold things like books, roadside kits, and more. Continue below to learn what you should get in order to assemble a roadside emergency kit for your car.

Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484
Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Store-Bought Roadside Kits

You can purchase a pre-made emergency roadside kit at any local automotive or hardware store. These pre-made kits range in styles, varieties, and price. There are small basic kits, medium-sized kits, specialty kits, large kits, heavy-duty kits, and much more. These are great options because they come with everything you need for basic roadside assistance, or something more complex.

Decide on a pre-made kit by considering your vehicle’s specific needs. For example, trucks will need a heavier duty kits, while people who rarely drive will need something much more basic. Ask to your local towing company for advice about a roadside emergency kit that’s right for your vehicle and driving specifications.

Make Your Own Emergency Roadside Kit

If you would like to choose specifically what goes into your emergency roadside kit, you can simply assemble one on your own. Visit your local automotive or hardware store, and look for all the items you might need. Every emergency roadside kit should contain AT LEAST the following items:

• Jumper Cables
• First-Aid Gear
• Flashlight and Extra Batteries
• Car Jack
• Spare Tire
• Blanket

The above items are the base essentials that every roadside emergency kit should contain. For those who drive trucks, long distances, in inclement weather, or on rough terrain, you might want to consider adding some more gear. Here is a list of some highly recommended supplies to consider for your homemade emergency roadside kit:

• Road Flares
• Portable Lantern
• Rain Poncho
• Ice Scraper
• Change of Clothing
• Hand and Feet Warmers
• Small Fire Extinguisher
• Coolant
• Motor Oil
• Windshield Wiper Fluid
• Case of Bottled Water
• Energy Bars (or Granola Bars)
• “CALL POLICE” Distress Flag
• Reflecting Road Triangles
• Light Sticks
• Tire Inflator/Sealant
• Tire Pressure Gauge
• Utility/Army Knife
• Wrench
• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Work Gloves
• Whistle
• Duct Tape
• Towing Rope

Learn More About Roadside Assistance Services

For more advice or information about roadside assistance, contact your local trusted towing company. Although it is strongly recommended to have your own emergency roadside kit in your vehicle at all times, it doesn’t mean that you can’t still call for help in the case of an emergency. Just because you own the gear doesn’t mean you have to use it! Professional towing companies offer reputable and affordable roadside assistance services 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Call them if you are stranded on the side of the road.

Zore’s Indy

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for professional and prompt roadside assistance services in Indianapolis, and its surrounding towns. We are highly trained and licensed tow truck operators that provide fast and friendly roadside assistance services all week long and all year long! We service all make and model vehicles, including boats, trailers, semis, and more! Call 317-247-8484 to hear about our Indianapolis roadside assistance services, service areas, and rates.

What Does Roadside Assistance Offer?

Roadside Assistance Service 317-247-8484

Roadside Assistance Service 317-247-8484

Many drivers have roadside assistance insurance for protection and security in the case of an emergency. This type of insurance is a wonderful resource for anyone who drives regularly, especially for new or adolescent drivers. Even if someone doesn’t have roadside assistance coverage under their insurance policy, they can still outsource these services from a local towing company. There are several roadside assistance services available 24 hours a day for a nominal fee.

Simply contact your local trusted wrecker service and request whatever type of vehicular assistance you need. Continue reading to learn what exactly roadside assistance services have to offer.

Emergency Roadside Services

There are several services offered by such companies. The four main reasons why roadside assistance services are outsourced on a daily basis by thousands of drivers all across the country are flat tires, lock-outs, dead batteries, and empty gas tanks. So if a person is driving down the road and all of a sudden their tire blows out, they are stranded in that spot until they can change the tire. Well many people know how to change a tire; but what if they don’t have a spare on them? Or what about those who cannot change a tire, but have a spare? This is a perfect example of when a roadside service can be beneficial.

If a person loses their car keys, or locks them inside a running vehicle, a roadside assistance technician can quickly retrieve or replace them for a small fee. If someone needs a jump-start but they don’t have another vehicle or jumper cables to do it, a roadside assistance service can be there in a flash and jump-start the car right away.

Another example of when these services are helpful is if a car breaks down and needs to be towed to an auto repair shop. Roadside assistance can provide a safe and secure tow to the body shop of your choice, no matter what time of day or night. The same goes for empty fuel tanks. If a person runs out of gas, a roadside assistance technician will show up with fuel to get them back on the road in no time!

There are additional services they offer as well. Aside from fuel re-fills, jump-starts, lock-outs, and tires, roadside car service can also provide fluid changes, like antifreeze or motor oil, and they can also pull a vehicle out of a snowbank or ditch, or if its stuck in mud. These services are fast and they save drivers money.

Zore’s Indy

Indianapolis Auto Auctions 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Auto Auctions 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for fast and affordable roadside assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We are licensed and experienced wreckers that provide roadside assistance for all make and model vehicles, trucks, trailers, and more! And best of all, our rates are the most competitive in town! Call 317-247-8484 for Indianapolis roadside assistance services today.