How old is your spare?
- Thread starter Elkins45
- Start date
I just installed the 2008 manufacture full size spare on the front of my Expedition 
I have never replaced a spare tire, and my daily driver was made in 1998.
Nope.
Yes. I am more concerned with a 60PSI spare tire being in a hot car then the age.
My 25 year old spare exploded in the trunk. I aired it up and next time I opened the trunk there were runner pieces all over. I've never seen that happen. It was the space saver style.
Last year in spring I inflated the original donut in the 2004 Corolla to 55 psi in the interest of preparedness. In summer it came apart layer by layer... sitting in the trunk.
My 2013 X5 came from the factory with a space saver spare. It has never been removed from its hidden storage space, and only accessed to check the air pressure.
This is why I don't inflate my space saver spare to 60PSI at the beginning of summer. I keep it underinflated. Either that or GM uses better spare tires, or they weren't made in China (or worse) in 1998.
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FWIW, I don't include the spare in any of my rotation schedules, but always inspect the spare when the rest are rotated.
I replaced an unused full-size spare (stored under the truck) after thirteen years. It looked absolutely perfect, but my wife and I like to travel a lot, so I figured what the heck. Waiting for AAA in the middle of Nowheresville, USA (not to mention Canada or Mexico) just because a spare failed can be avoided easily enough.
I inherited a van after a family member passed that had a space-saver spare stored underneath. I ended up with a flat and the spare was roughly seventeen years old. While the spare worked fine, it had a noticeable crack in the sidewall. I ordered a new space-saver tire the next day and had it installed within the week. Once again, we use this van for traveling all over, so having a spare we can trust is important.
For our "city" vehicles that don't get too much use, I am laxer about replacing but probably shouldn't be. Approximately $150 for a new tire every 10-15 years is cheap enough insurance.
I replaced an unused full-size spare (stored under the truck) after thirteen years. It looked absolutely perfect, but my wife and I like to travel a lot, so I figured what the heck. Waiting for AAA in the middle of Nowheresville, USA (not to mention Canada or Mexico) just because a spare failed can be avoided easily enough.
I inherited a van after a family member passed that had a space-saver spare stored underneath. I ended up with a flat and the spare was roughly seventeen years old. While the spare worked fine, it had a noticeable crack in the sidewall. I ordered a new space-saver tire the next day and had it installed within the week. Once again, we use this van for traveling all over, so having a spare we can trust is important.
For our "city" vehicles that don't get too much use, I am laxer about replacing but probably shouldn't be. Approximately $150 for a new tire every 10-15 years is cheap enough insurance.
So why didn't you get a proper, full size spare?
Just removed the spare from 08 gmc truck, had been hanging off the back since new. If it would have held air I would have left it but combination of rust and/or aging leaky tire it was easier to get another wheel and mount up a recent take off tire. Honestly I think the tire would have held but the rim was so rusty I didn't feel like messing with it. If it's a vehicles with spare stored in the trunk I check air pressure occasionally or before a trip but have never been concerned with replacing it.
My car a full size spare doesn’t fit and the space saver rubber doesn’t appear to be manufactured.
I have an air compressor, hopefully the 15 year old space saver lasts long enough to get to a parking lot.
dnewton3
Staff member
My various applications:
2018 F250 has the OE full size spare on it. Rarely sees daylight (truck stays stored in a cool, dry barn). I see no reason to replace; it holds air all year very well.
2023 ES350 has a full-size spare bought shortly after vehicle purchase to replace the mini-spare. (long trips out west are no place for a mini-spare)
2023 MX-5 has no spare; it comes with an inflation kit.
2013 ES350 has a mini-spare; I am considering replacing it with a full-size spare, rather than replacing the mini, due to age
2018 F250 has the OE full size spare on it. Rarely sees daylight (truck stays stored in a cool, dry barn). I see no reason to replace; it holds air all year very well.
2023 ES350 has a full-size spare bought shortly after vehicle purchase to replace the mini-spare. (long trips out west are no place for a mini-spare)
2023 MX-5 has no spare; it comes with an inflation kit.
2013 ES350 has a mini-spare; I am considering replacing it with a full-size spare, rather than replacing the mini, due to age
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The depth of the spare compartment under the van is sized for the space-saver only. Otherwise, I would have gone to a junkyard and picked up a used full-size rim and then had a new tire mounted. One of our cars is also this way - not enough depth for a full-size spare - space-saver only.
My Maxima is like that, sadly.
2005 Ford
Peaceful at 1 Atmosphere
Measured four years ago
.....a Bob Haiku
Peaceful at 1 Atmosphere
Measured four years ago
.....a Bob Haiku
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
I replace them at 10 years old. Here in the desert, it's not worth the chance on a road trip in 118+ degrees to have it blow out.
Edit: Though I don't typically match the spare. My Jeep has some $200 BFG's on it, while the spare is a $100 Goodyear. Good enough. The Sonata has a new $60 Sentury in the trunk. Also good enough for a spare.
Edit: Though I don't typically match the spare. My Jeep has some $200 BFG's on it, while the spare is a $100 Goodyear. Good enough. The Sonata has a new $60 Sentury in the trunk. Also good enough for a spare.
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So, effectively, you don’t have a spare. A 23 year old tire may, or may not, hold air when you put a load on it.
