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If your spare tire isn’t mounted on your vehicle — for example, if it’s stored in your garage, shed, trunk, or kept as a backup — the way you store it has a major impact on how long it lasts. Tires can dry-rot, crack, and weaken even when they never touch the road, especially if they’re stored incorrectly. Here’s how to properly store a spare tire to keep it safe, healthy, and ready when you need it. Keep the Spare Tire Indoors Whenever Possible Indoor storage is always best.

A donut spare tire — also called a temporary spare or compact spare — is designed to get you out of an emergency, not to replace a normal tire. Many drivers don’t realize how limited donut spares really are, and driving too far or too fast on one can lead to serious damage or even a dangerous blowout. Here’s why you should never  drive long distances on a donut spare and what you need to know to stay safe. Donut Spares Are Not Built Like Regular Tires A donut spare is smaller

Tire sizes can look confusing at first — numbers, letters, slashes, and characters all packed into one line. But once you understand what each part means, reading a tire size becomes simple. This beginner-friendly guide breaks down everything in an easy, clear way. Learning how to read your tire’s size is essential when choosing a new tire, measuring lift changes, or picking the correct spare tire cover. The Basic Tire Size Format Most tires follow this format: Example:265/70

The Jeep Wrangler has one of the most iconic rear profiles in the automotive world — and the exposed rear spare tire is a big part of that. But because it sits fully exposed to sun, weather, and debris, protecting it with a quality spare tire cover is essential. Whether you drive a Wrangler JL, JK, TJ, or YJ, the right spare tire cover improves the look of your Jeep and extends the life of your spare. Here’s the complete guide to the best spare tire covers for the Jeep Wrangl

Your spare tire is your backup plan — but only if it’s in good condition when you need it. Many drivers don’t realize their spare could already be unsafe, flat, or damaged long before it ever touches the road. Because spares sit unused for years at a time, they often face problems that regular tires don’t. Here are the most common spare tire problems and how to prevent them from becoming dangerous. Dry Rot (Cracking Rubber) Dry rot is the #1 issue with spare tires, especially

Most drivers assume a spare tire lasts forever — especially if it’s never used. But spare tires do  expire, and relying on an old or dry-rotted spare can be dangerous. Even if the tire looks brand new, time, sunlight, and weather slowly weaken the rubber. Here’s everything you need to know about how long spare tires last, how to check their age, and when it’s time to replace yours. Yes — Spare Tires Expire Even If They’re Never Used Just like regular tires, spares are made of

A spare tire cover protects your spare tire from sun, weather, and road debris — but it also needs a little care of its own. Cleaning it the right way not only keeps your vehicle looking better, it also helps the cover last longer and continue protecting your spare. Here’s a simple guide to cleaning and maintaining your spare tire cover, especially if it’s a high-quality vinyl cover like SpareCover®. Use Mild Soap and Water Only The safest way to clean a spare tire cover is w

The Hummer H2 and H3 are built to stand out — big, powerful, and unmistakably bold. Their rear-mounted spare tires add to that rugged look, but they’re also constantly exposed to sun, weather, and road debris. If you want your Hummer to stay sharp and your spare tire to stay safe, a high-quality spare tire cover is essential. Here’s a complete guide to choosing the best spare tire cover for your H2 or H3. Why Hummer H2 & H3 Spare Tires Need Extra Protection The large exposed

If your vehicle has a rear-mounted spare tire, it’s exposed to weather 24/7. Most drivers forget about it — but sun, snow, salt, rain, and extreme temperatures are constantly damaging the rubber, even when the tire is brand new and never used. This guide breaks down how each type of weather affects your spare tire and why proper protection is essential. Sun Exposure (UV Rays) — The #1 Cause of Tire Dry Rot Nothing destroys a spare tire faster than sunlight. UV rays cause: Dry

A spare tire cover protects your spare from sun, rain, dirt, and long-term damage. But just like any outdoor item, it eventually wears out. A worn or failing tire cover not only looks bad — it exposes your spare to UV damage and weather that can shorten its lifespan. Here are the most common signs that your spare tire cover needs to be replaced. The Cover Is Fading or Losing Its Color Sun exposure is the biggest cause of fading. If your cover looks: Washed out Gray or pale Pa

Most drivers think of spare tire covers as simple accessories — but they actually play a much bigger role in maintaining your vehicle’s resale value. Whether you drive a Jeep, Bronco, RAV4, CR-V, FJ Cruiser, Hummer, or any SUV with a rear-mounted spare, a high-quality tire cover helps keep your vehicle looking newer, cleaner, and better maintained. Here are the top reasons spare tire covers can increase resale value and give your vehicle an edge when it’s time to sell or trad

The Toyota FJ Cruiser remains one of the most iconic and capable off-road SUVs ever built. Its rugged styling and rear-mounted spare tire are instantly recognizable — but that exposed spare also takes a beating from sun, weather, and debris. A high-quality spare tire cover is one of the easiest upgrades for any FJ Cruiser owner. It protects the spare, enhances the look of the vehicle, and helps extend the life of the tire. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the

When choosing a spare tire cover, the biggest decision is which material to buy: vinyl  or fabric . Both are common, but they perform very differently once exposed to sun, rain, heat, and real outdoor conditions. Most cheap imported covers are made from thin fabric or lightweight PVC. Quality covers — like SpareCover® — use marine-grade vinyl designed for long-term durability. Here’s a full breakdown of vinyl vs fabric tire covers, and which one gives your spare the protectio

Not all spare tires live the same life. A spare stored safely inside the trunk is protected from the sun, weather, heat, and road debris. But a rear-mounted spare tire  — like those found on Jeep Wranglers, Ford Broncos, Toyota RAV4s, Honda CR-Vs, FJ Cruisers, and many SUVs — faces harsh conditions every single day. This is why rear-mounted spare tires wear out faster, dry-rot sooner, and absolutely require a protective cover. Here’s the full breakdown. Rear-Mounted Spares Ar

Your spare tire is meant to protect you during an emergency — but only if it’s safe to drive on. Many drivers don’t realize their spare has been aging, drying out, or weakening for years while sitting unused. By the time you need it, it may already be unsafe. Here’s how to quickly check whether your spare tire is still safe to use, and what to look for before depending on it. Look for Cracks in the Sidewall The first and most obvious sign of an unsafe spare is sidewall cracki

If you've ever bought a cheap spare tire cover online, you’ve probably seen it happen: the colors fade, the design turns gray, and the once-shiny cover looks worn out in just a few months. This is one of the most common problems with imported tire covers — and one of the biggest reasons drivers eventually switch to higher-quality, USA-made options. Here’s the real reason cheap tire covers fade so quickly — and how to choose one that keeps its color for years. UV Sun Exposure

The Jeep Liberty may no longer be in production, but it remains a popular SUV with a loyal community. Many Liberty models feature a rear-mounted spare tire — a design that gives the vehicle its rugged look but also exposes the spare to harsh weather, sun, and road debris. A high-quality spare tire cover protects your Liberty’s spare and adds a clean, finished appearance to the rear of your vehicle. Here’s a complete guide to the best spare tire cover options for Jeep Liberty

A spare tire cover is one of the easiest ways to transform the look of your vehicle. Whether you drive a Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, FJ Cruiser, or any SUV with an exposed rear spare, your tire cover becomes a major part of your vehicle’s personality. Some drivers prefer a clean, subtle look. Others want something bold, funny, patriotic, or outdoorsy. Here are the most popular spare tire cover styles and why drivers love them. Classic Solid Black Cov

If your vehicle has an exposed spare tire, you’ve probably wondered whether a cover is necessary or just “optional.” Many drivers assume the spare isn’t important because they rarely use it — but that’s exactly why it needs protection. A spare tire is your emergency backup. It’s the tire you rely on when everything else goes wrong. Keeping it uncovered exposes it to harsh sun, weather, and long-term damage that can make it unsafe when you finally need it. Here’s the full brea

Most drivers forget about their spare tire until they need it. But by the time a flat happens, the spare may already be too old, too damaged, or too dry-rotted to use safely. Even if a spare looks brand new, time and exposure can make it unsafe. This guide explains how long spare tires last, what affects their lifespan, and how to keep your spare in safe, road-ready condition for years. How Long Does a Spare Tire Actually Last? Most spare tires last: 6 years (recommended) Up