Don’t let a flat tire catch you off guard. Prepare for tire failure with these tips.

Tire failure can happen to anyone, anytime. If you’re prepared for roadside emergencies like this, however, changing your tire and getting back on the road will go that much faster.

Make a dry run before you have to change a flat tire on the road. You don’t want to change a tire for the first time on a rainy night in the pitch dark by yourself. Changing a flat tire will be less stressful if you are already familiar with the procedure and with the equipment needed to change a tire.

You’ll also get a chance to try out your equipment and make sure it works properly. If the tools and jack supplied by the auto manufacturer work poorly, invest in quality equipment that will make the job easier and give you peace of mind.

Include a flashlight, a wrench, a jack, some work gloves, and a rain jacket or poncho in your roadside emergency kit. If your spare tire is in the trunk, clear the extra clutter out of your trunk. This will make it easier to access the spare tire as needed. If your spare is mounted externally, make sure you protect it with a spare tire cover.

Check your vehicle manual to see how much mileage and speed your spare tire can handle. The maximum speed for your spare tire should also be noted on the sidewall of the spare itself. Exceeding the mileage and speed recommendations may damage your spare tire and your vehicle.

Most donut spare tires should not exceed 50 mph. Some donut spares may specify as low as 45 mph as the maximum speed limit. Replace your compact spare tire with a full-size tire as soon as possible. Compact spares are not designed to handle the stress of high mileage.

Your vehicle may handle differently when you drive with a donut spare. Handle the vehicle carefully and pay attention to any noises or changes in handling that may signal spare tire failure or faulty tire mounting.