A spare tire can cost anywhere from about $50 to more than $500, depending on its type, size, brand, and whether it includes a wheel. A compact temporary spare usually costs less than a full-size replacement, while an original-equipment spare for a specific vehicle can cost more. Installation, a jack, a lug wrench, or other missing equipment may add to the total. Knowing which spare fits the vehicle helps drivers compare prices and avoid buying a tire that cannot be used safely.
Typical Spare Tire Prices
There is no single price for a spare tire. Some sellers list the tire alone; others sell a tire mounted on a wheel as a complete assembly. Vehicle-specific kits may also include a jack, wrench, storage components, or a carrying case. The ranges below are general U.S. estimates, not guaranteed quotes. Local labor, availability, tire dimensions, and vehicle requirements can change the final price.
| Spare tire type | Typical price range | What the price may include |
|---|---|---|
| Compact temporary spare | About $50–$150 for the tire; roughly $100–$300 for a mounted assembly | A narrow tire, sometimes sold with a wheel |
| Full-size spare | About $100–$400 or more | A tire; a matching wheel may cost extra |
| Used spare or assembly | About $40–$200 | Condition and wheel inclusion vary |
| Vehicle-specific spare kit | About $150–$600 or more | May include a tire, wheel, jack, wrench, and storage pieces |
These estimates are useful for budgeting, but the vehicle’s owner’s manual and tire specifications should guide the purchase. A tire that looks close in size may still have the wrong load rating, wheel fit, or bolt pattern.
What Affects the Cost of a Spare Tire?
Tire Type and Size
Compact temporary spares, often called doughnuts, are narrower and smaller than standard road tires. Their specialized construction and limited selection can affect price. Full-size spares are closer to the tires normally fitted to the vehicle and may cost more, particularly when they must match a large wheel, unusual size, or premium tire model.
Low-profile, high-performance, run-flat, and light-truck tires can also raise the cost. Larger tires generally require more material, and some sizes are less commonly stocked. A specialty fitment may need to be ordered rather than purchased off the shelf.
Wheel Included or Not
A spare tire sold without a wheel is not ready to install on the vehicle. It must be mounted and balanced on a compatible rim. A complete wheel-and-tire assembly costs more upfront, but it can be fitted more quickly during a roadside tire change.
Before buying a wheel, confirm its diameter, width, bolt pattern, offset, center bore, and brake clearance. Some vehicles use different wheel specifications on the front and rear, or have brakes too large for a small spare wheel. A dealership or qualified tire shop can check fitment using the vehicle identification number (VIN).
Vehicle-Specific Design
Some cars and SUVs have a spare mounted under the vehicle, in a cargo-area well, or on a rear carrier. Others were sold without a spare and use a tire inflator and sealant kit instead. The location and design can affect which assembly fits and whether additional brackets or tools are needed.
Original-equipment parts are built for a particular vehicle or trim. They may cost more than a compatible aftermarket option, but they can reduce uncertainty about fit. An aftermarket spare can be a sound choice when it meets the vehicle’s specifications and is approved for the intended use.
Brand, Condition, and Availability
Premium brands, specialty tires, and original-equipment products often cost more than basic alternatives. A used spare may be less expensive, but its age, storage conditions, tread, and sidewall need careful inspection. A tire can deteriorate over time even if it has seen little or no road use.
Prices may also vary by region and season. A common compact spare may be easy to find, while a specific wheel or full-size assembly may require shipping. Online listings should be checked for shipping fees, return policies, and whether the quoted price covers one tire or a complete assembly.
Compact Temporary Spare vs. Full-Size Spare
A compact temporary spare is designed to save space and weight. It can be less expensive than a full-size tire and is often easier to store in a vehicle’s trunk. Its trade-off is limited use: temporary spares typically have restrictions on speed and distance, and they can change handling, braking, and traction.
The exact limits vary by tire and vehicle. Drivers should follow the spare’s sidewall markings and the owner’s manual rather than assuming a universal speed or distance limit. Temporary spares are meant to help a driver reach a repair location, not to replace a regular tire indefinitely.
A full-size spare may better match the vehicle’s normal tires and can be more useful for longer trips. However, it takes more storage space and adds weight. If it differs from the other tires in tread depth, size, or type, it may still be unsuitable for prolonged use—especially on vehicles with all-wheel drive.
For an all-wheel-drive vehicle, mismatched tire circumference can put stress on the drivetrain. The manufacturer may specify a maximum difference in tread depth or recommend replacing multiple tires together. Drivers should check the manual before fitting a full-size spare that does not match the remaining tires.
Other Costs to Include in the Budget
Mounting and Balancing
If a tire is purchased separately from its wheel, a shop must mount it before use. Mounting and balancing charges vary by shop and tire, but a basic service may add roughly $20–$60 or more. Additional charges may apply for a specialty wheel, disposal, a new valve stem, or a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor.
A tire already mounted on a compatible wheel may avoid some of this work. However, it still needs to be checked for correct inflation, fit, and safe condition. Ask the seller whether the assembly is balanced and whether a TPMS sensor is included and compatible with the vehicle.
Jack, Lug Wrench, and Storage Parts
A spare tire alone does not make a vehicle ready for a roadside change. The vehicle also needs the correct jack and lug wrench, plus any required locking lug-nut key. Depending on the model, missing tools or storage hardware may cost tens to several hundred dollars, particularly if the parts are vehicle-specific.
Some cars have no spare and no jack because they came with an inflator-and-sealant kit or roadside assistance instead. Check the cargo area and owner’s manual before purchasing equipment. A jack must be rated for the vehicle and placed only at the designated lifting points.
TPMS and Tire Pressure
Many U.S. passenger vehicles use a TPMS to alert the driver when one or more tires are significantly underinflated. A spare wheel may not have a sensor, and the warning light may remain on while it is installed. Sensor availability and relearning procedures vary by vehicle, so the manual or a tire shop can clarify what is required.
Spare tires can lose pressure while stored. Drivers should check pressure periodically and use the pressure specified for the spare, which may differ from the normal tires’ recommended pressure. The vehicle’s tire placard and the spare’s sidewall provide important information; the normal tire pressure should not be assumed to apply to a compact spare.
How to Find the Right Spare for a Vehicle
- Check the owner’s manual. It identifies whether the vehicle came with a temporary spare, full-size spare, or tire repair kit, and explains use restrictions.
- Read the tire placard. This is commonly located on the driver-side doorjamb. It lists the original tire size and recommended pressures, but a spare may have separate specifications.
- Confirm fitment. Use the VIN or vehicle year, make, model, and trim when asking a dealer or tire shop for a compatible assembly.
- Verify what is included. Ask whether the listing is for a tire only, a mounted wheel-and-tire assembly, or a complete kit with tools.
- Check the condition and return terms. For used or online purchases, request clear photos, the tire’s manufacturing date, and details about damage, tread, shipping, and returns.
The tire’s size is printed on its sidewall in a format such as P215/60R16. The number alone does not confirm that a tire or wheel will fit. Bolt pattern, wheel offset, load capacity, and brake clearance matter as well.
Where to Buy a Spare Tire
Dealership parts departments can look up vehicle-specific equipment by VIN. This is a convenient route for an exact-fit original-equipment spare or a model-specific kit, though it may be more expensive than alternatives. A dealership can also identify whether a particular trim was originally supplied with a spare.
Local tire shops can recommend compatible tires and wheels, mount and balance an assembly, and check fitment. They may offer new aftermarket options and can explain whether a particular spare is appropriate for an all-wheel-drive vehicle or a vehicle with larger brakes.
Online retailers and auto-parts stores provide a broad selection and make price comparisons easier. Buyers should verify the exact vehicle fitment, shipping cost, wheel inclusion, and return policy before ordering. Salvage yards and used-parts sellers may offer lower prices, but used tire condition requires extra scrutiny.
Is a Used Spare Tire a Good Deal?
A used spare can reduce the purchase price, particularly when it includes a compatible wheel. It may be reasonable if the tire is in good condition, has been stored properly, and meets the vehicle’s specifications. A low price alone is not enough to establish that a tire is safe.
Check for cuts, bulges, exposed cords, uneven wear, cracking, and repairs in areas that should not be repaired. Look at the tire’s date code, a four-digit code that indicates the week and year of manufacture. Age is not the only measure of condition, but an old tire deserves careful evaluation and may need replacement even with visible tread remaining.
Ask whether the wheel is bent, cracked, corroded, or compatible with the vehicle’s lug hardware. If the seller cannot verify the tire’s history or condition, a new tire from a reputable retailer may offer better value and clearer warranty coverage.
Can a Tire Repair Kit Replace a Spare?
Some vehicles are equipped with a compressor and sealant rather than a spare. Such kits can temporarily address certain small punctures in the tread, but they may not work for sidewall damage, a large hole, or a tire that has come off the wheel. Sealant can also affect later tire repairs and may need to be cleaned out or replaced.
Drivers should follow the kit instructions and the vehicle manual. A repair kit is not identical to a spare tire: it may not solve every flat, and it does not provide a replacement wheel and tire. Roadside assistance can be another option, but response time and service availability depend on location and coverage.
Ways to Avoid Overpaying
- Compare the complete cost. Add the tire, wheel, mounting, balancing, shipping, and any required tools before choosing a listing.
- Shop by exact fitment. A cheap assembly that does not clear the brakes or match the bolt pattern is not a useful bargain.
- Ask about a kit. If the vehicle is missing its spare, a complete kit may be simpler than sourcing a tire, wheel, jack, wrench, and storage parts separately.
- Consider storage and use. A full-size spare may make sense for some drivers, but space, weight, and manufacturer guidance should be considered.
- Check warranty details. New tires may have manufacturer or retailer coverage, while used parts typically have limited or no protection.
For many drivers, the most useful estimate is the price of a compatible, ready-to-install assembly—not just the tire. A compact temporary spare may be the least expensive option, while a full-size or vehicle-specific kit can cost several hundred dollars. Checking the manual, confirming fitment, and including the cost of tools and installation makes it easier to choose a spare that is both practical and safe.