Why Your Doughnut Spare Often Wants 60 PSI

A space-saving doughnut spare can look almost flat, but the pressure chart on the tire often calls for a surprising 60 psi, roughly double the usual recommendation. That's not a typo. Because the doughnut is smaller than a full-size tire, it needs higher air pressure to support the same vehicle weight over a smaller contact patch.

A full-size spare, by contrast, uses the same pressure as your regular tires. Always check the pressure listed on the spare tire or your vehicle's door jamb, don't just assume 60 psi. Then head to a shop to get your full-size tire repaired or replaced.