The problem
The flat happens at night, in the rain, on the 401 or a back road near home. The spare is flat too. The jack is a mystery. Nobody practiced in the driveway.
What it usually means
"I'll deal with it later" is how people get stuck. A ten-minute driveway check saves a dangerous shoulder stop.
What to check before you need it
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Spare inflated | Donuts and full-size spares both leak down over years |
| Jack + lug wrench present | Still in the foam tray? |
| Lug nut key (locking lugs) | Without it, you're calling a truck |
| Know the spare type | Temporary spare has speed/distance limits |
| Flashlight / gloves / vest | Ontario dark and winter are real |
Temporary spare rules (plain)
- Not for highway speeds all day — follow the label on the tire
- Repair or replace the regular tire promptly
- Don't stack a second person and a full trunk "just this once" if the label says no
Safety on the shoulder
- Hazards on · as far right as safe.
- Everyone out on the safe side when possible.
- Wheel chock if you have one.
- If traffic is close and you don't feel safe — tow is cheaper than a hospital.
When to come to the counter
- Spare won't hold air
- You need a repair path, patch assessment, or replacement tire conversation
- Missing jack hardware
- Winter: you want a real plan, not a hope
What to tell Simon
Journey: Adventure Garage · spare-tire-roadside YMM: ____ Spare type: full-size | donut | run-flat | none / kit Issue: flat spare | missing tools | tire damage | just preparing Tire size on sidewall (if known): ____
What we will not invent online
- That every car still has a spare (many have inflator kits only)
- A guarantee a used spare matches your load rating without checking
- Live tire stock on this page
Next step
This weekend: open the trunk, check spare pressure, find the jack. If something's missing or soft, stop by Belleville APC or Kingston APC — better in daylight than on the shoulder.