Aged Spares, Options?

[MaximumMini]

There is a product made by AeroCosmetics made for aircraft that I use on ALL my vehicle tires, including my full size spares. It is a moisture displacing, UV blocking, rubber reconditioning solution (or at the very least, helps slow the loss of the petroleum compounds that keep it pliable and prevent cracking from dry rot.)

If you're going to have a spare sitting unused for decades, spray it with this every other year and it will last for all eternity.
(I also use it on everything rubber or plastic on my vehicles.
Just remember to always SHAKE THE SOLUTION WELL before use.

I've been using the Aero Cosmetic for years and love it. No shine, just a new rubber look. Seems to work as I haven't had any cracks even on Michelin tires since I started using it. Recommended by Boeing and Airbus for rubber care on their aircraft.
303 never rocked my world. Tried way back when and didn't take to it.

If you want to go really all out (Like I do), remove all the air in your tires and replace with Nitrogen.
Not only because Nitrogen is a larger, less permeable molecule, but MOSTLY because when you fill your tires with AIR you're usually also filling your tires with WATER vapor. Compressed Nitrogen won't do that unless you're getting junk Nitrogen refills.

 

[97prizm]

What are folks doing with older cars that use compact or collapsible spare tires? Replacing them? mobility kits? checking pressures and just motoring on?

Checking tire pressures got me thinking. Several of the fun fleet have compact or collapsible spares that are now 25+ years old. On those with full size spares, they get new tires but the cost and availability of older compact or collapsible spares is problematic. Now sitting tucked away in a trunk, or frunk is probably a pretty easy life for a spare, but 25 years is a long time. I am considering storing the spares and getting OEM quality mobility kits instead.

My neon had this issue come up when I hit a bolt on my rear tire. Nobody makes a spare tire for it any longer.

 

[GaryMX5]

If the spare is well isolated from sunlight, I think it will last longer. I've never thought of replacing the spare. The donut tire and wheel in my Equinox is fully protected, covered under the hatchback floor. Only gets used when I rotate the tires, and once for a flat. Still looks new--clean without cracks. 15 years old now. I would prefer a full sized matching spare and do a 5 tire rotation, but they won't fit in the allotted space.

I tend to agree with this. One spare that gets ignored far too often( whether it's a temp or full size) is the one hanging under a pick up truck. They are exposed to mud, water dust etc. I dropped mine when it was 15 years old and I'm sure glad I never had to use it as it was severly cracked discolored etc. The steel wheel was badly rusted as well. I bought the cheapest full size tire and wheel combo I could find for my new spare.

 

[z71bill]

My Tahoe spare was 19 years old - I got new tires and added a cheap spare.

The old spare was carried under the vehicle for its whole life - it was all cracked up and hard as a rock.

$132 out the door Mohave Highway Terrain made in India.


Worth it to me - one less thing to worry about.

But if you know your spare is old, and you don't go far from home - you can - if you have a flat just call a buddy to come get you - or even if don't have any options - put it on and drive slow to a safe location.

A blow out at 25 MPH is low risk - and since you know it is old you will be paying extra attention. Hard to believe even an old spare wouldn't go 15 miles at low speeds -

Now putting and old spare on and driving highway speeds in the summer with 95 degree temps - that would be really dumb.