Why You Should Never Fit a Doughnut Spare Tire on the Front Axle

In the unfortunate event of a flat tire, why shouldn’t you put doughnut spare on front axle? Although it’s a useful short-term solution, fitting

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it on the front axle can trigger serious safety and performance issues. As a driver, these are risks you should never ignore.

What Is a Doughnut Spare Tire?

A doughnut spare (commonly referred to as a space-saver tire) is a smaller, lighter, and narrower wheel designed to take up the least space in a vehicle’s trunk. Strictly meant for temporary use, it should only get you to the nearest tire service center after a puncture or tire damage. It’s not built for regular road conditions or extended driving.

The Hidden Risks of Front-Axle Mounting

Fitting the doughnut spare on the front axle, particularly on a front-wheel drive vehicle, poses noteworthy risks due to the functional demands exerted on front tires.

These include:

1.  Reduced Braking Efficiency

The front wheels do most of the braking, between 60% and 70% of the total force. With less surface area and grip, a doughnut tire significantly weakens braking response. In emergency situations, this can increase stopping distances and reduce control posing a risk to you and other drivers on the road.

2. Compromised Steering Control

The front axle handles all steering input. A doughnut tire’s reduced traction and narrow profile can make the car feel unstable while turning. This loss of precision can be especially dangerous in wet or uneven road conditions.

3. Uneven Handling

With mismatched traction and grip between the two front wheels, the vehicle’s handling becomes unpredictable. Acceleration may cause the car to veer, and cornering becomes less responsive. Even at low speeds, this makes driving unsafe.

4. Increased Wear on the Drivetrain

Front-wheel-drive cars transmit power directly to the front wheels. Placing a doughnut on the front means one wheel works harder than the other. This strains the differential and may cause mechanical damage.

The Safer Alternative: Fit the Doughnut on the Rear

If the front tire goes flat, move a rear tire to the front. Then, fit the doughnut spare on the rear axle. This keeps your main driving, braking, and steering components on full-size tires, which is critical for maintaining balance and on road safety.

Here’s why this method works:

• Better Traction: Full-size tires on the front provide better grip for acceleration, deceleration, and timely road feedback.
• Improved Braking & Steering: You retain normal front-axle performance for more reliable control.
• Balanced Handling: Your vehicle remains predictable during lane changes, turns, and braking.
• Protects Drivetrain: You avoid stressing your front-wheel-drive system with mismatched tire sizes.

Our advice;

Doughnut spares are for short, cautious trips under 50kph. They’re not meant for full driving functionality. If you experience a front tire puncture, take the extra few minutes to swap a rear wheel forward and mount the doughnut at the rear. This small effort protects your safety, your car’s handling, and your drivetrain’s health. It’s worth it until you reach the nearest tire center.

What we say at Cabiz Car Rentals is Drive safe, and always treat your spare for what it is; a lifeline.