Is a winter spare tire needed?

Is it always enough for your safety to have 4 winter tires? At first glance, yes, but it's worth giving a more comprehensive assessment based on where and how you operate your vehicle.

In an ideal world, of course, a winter tire on the spare wheel should be a must-have for everyone. However, it's worth considering whether you have the physical ability to accommodate a full-size spare wheel in your vehicle, as some cars have a doughnut, and some don't have a spare wheel at all. This primarily applies to vehicles that come with run-flat tires and tires with instant puncture sealing technology.

Regardless of the specific configuration of your vehicle, you should consider where you operate it. If it's exclusively in urban environments, and you have access to a tire repair shop, you can get by without a full-size spare wheel with a winter tire. However, if you frequently take trips outside the city, you should assess the risks of a complete wheel failure in the event of irreparable damage. Otherwise, a spare wheel with a summer tire, let alone a "doughnut," won't be able to provide either the necessary level of safety or even acceptable handling in deep snow and icy conditions.

Also, it's worth noting that if you've taken the trouble to purchase a full-size spare wheel with a winter tire, to make more rational use of the tire resource, it should be used in tire rotation as you accumulate mileage, with an interval of approximately 10,000 km.