Perfect but old spare tire

[Crash Bandicoot]

Off topic but I always wondered why no one has made dedicated full size spare tires.

Hear me out my spare lives underneath the truck bed it’s sprayed with all sorts of road debris, rubs up against some bracket and is exposed to the elements longer than any other tire on my truck, if I lived in the salt belt it would be sprayed with salt as well. It’s on a steel wheel instead of alloy like the rest (common on trucks) so it’s not like I’m going to do a 5 tire rotation which I’d prefer.

I’d genuinely want to buy a tire with a compound that is designed for that specific environment even at the expense of performance (since the most mileage it’s going to get is probably 100 miles to a tire shop).

Right now I just inflate to max PSI and coat it in Carpro Perl or 303 1x per year.

 

[Crash Bandicoot]

I got donut spare in Discount Tire, BMW dealership wanted actually $10 less than DT but git in DT bcs. someone I knew worked there.
For Toyota got also at DT donut for $98, Toyota wanted $305.
So, shop around.

Just as a heads up for future reference, DT will match anyone’s pricing you just shoot them an email. I had them match a tire dealer on eBay’s pricing when I had to order a set of Crugen HT51s for my truck which was 25% cheaper than their price. I like DT for mounting and balance although though they can’t find a nail in a tire I drop off even if I circle it in a paint pen (true story).

 

[ecotourist]

For a spare, I think the practical thing is to go to a tire store and buy a well used, never repaired, less than 5 year old tire in the same size. Have it mounted and balanced and you're good to go.

The spare is not likely to be used. And even less likely to be used for very far so having lots of tread shouldn't be an issue. I'd rather have a good quality tire with less tread, than a brand I've never heard of with lots of tread.

And the next time you replace your tires, assuming they aren't too old, have the best one mounted and balanced as a spare.

In this response I was obviously talking about a full size spare. A compact spare is a completely different issue.

I'll start another thread about compact spares.

 

[CharlesInCharge]

My answer is that "it depends." It depends on exposure to elements, visual inspection, age, nature of driving, etc.

$100-200 tied up in a aging tire in the trunk is very wasteful. I would try to mix the tire in the rotation mix if possible. This extends the life of all of them, and you can then get a new 5-set mix at the end, or 4 and keep the best for a spare but then it no longer gets in the rotation mix. Use the 4 primary tires, and then when it's time to replace, keep the best and get rid of the 4+ the really old spare.

I have a lot of vehicles and my tires expire on age, not miles. That's a credit also to the excellent construction of modern tires. Getting rid of them before 10 years seems wasteful, and for a spare, I'm comfortable with 15-20ish years if it's in excellent visual condition.

I rarely go far from home anymore, but on those long range or high speed vehicles I have current excellent tires. This does remind me however, that I do have a 15 year old spare in my long range driver, so before I plan any long trips I'm going to swap that one out for a newer one. So this is a good topic.

For my strictly in town errand drivers that rarely exceed 50mph and most often cruise at 15-25-35mph, they all have excellent tires and I'd be comfortable with a well preserved 20 year old SPARE TIRE. Heck, one does not even have a spare! Because all I need to do is limp to a tire repair shop and I'm always within 5 city-driving miles of doing so. I also have roadside assistance to tow me there, if necessary.

 

[FordMan59]

I used a new/old spare tire on a Mazda pickup I owned years ago. I'd say it was close to 20 years old when I put it on the ground for the first time and used it on a regular basis. It never gave any problems. Over the years I've ran lots of tires older than the recommended 6 years without problems. A few years ago I used the spare in my mom's car ('99 Grand Marquis) for the first time ever. It was used for probably less than 5 miles then put back in the trunk.

 

[Dave9]

Meh, a spare that doesn't get exposed to sun/UV tends to last longer than 10 years. Drive slower, like it's a 10+ year old tire.

If you plan on driving in remote regions where there's no other motorists or cell phone service and it's life or death whether you make it out with a long distance to go, of course you need a newer spare along with other survival goods.

 

[gathermewool]

all I need to do is limp to a tire repair shop and I'm always within 5 city-driving miles of doing so. I also have roadside assistance to tow me there, if necessary.

Roadside assistance makes sense five miles on a flat tire will likely leave you with a ruined wheel.

 

[gathermewool]

Meh, a spare that doesn't get exposed to sun/UV tends to last longer than 10 years. Drive slower, like it's a 10+ year old tire.

If you plan on driving in remote regions where there's no other motorists or cell phone service and it's life or death whether you make it out with a long distance to go, of course you need a newer spare along with other survival goods.

I agree; however, or those of you who had blow outs on old spares, was the tire visibly worn? Had it been used before and out back? Was it a trunk tire or mounted on the exterior?

I’ve never really thought about the spare in this context. I just air it up occasionally and keep a battery-powered pump in the car. I’ll have to potentially rethink my strategy between now and a few years from now when my cars hit that ten year mark.

 

[stangguy]

Think I will chime in here. Over the 60+ years I have been driving, I have never known what the age of my tires were. Actually the only tires that I had "blow" out on me (sidewalls split) were 2 year old tires from a farm type store called Country General. Only problem was that they closed up in our area before they went bad, All 4 of them went over a 1 year period. so essentially no warranty unless I was to take them to the nearest store several hundred miles away. Right now the rear tires on my 65 Mustang are at least 12 years old or more, as I don't know the date on them, but I bought them as almost new used 12 years ago. I don't drive very fast, but do drive up to 75 miles away on 65 mph roads. They look like new but of course they have never seen salt, or snow, or even rain, and are in the garage 99% of the time. Many years ago, I took a trip to California with a 65 Plymouth Station wagon loaded up. Had a mixed variety of tires on it and one was a early 2 ply. I hit a chunk of iron on the interstate, at I suppose 65 or 70, and tire went down in about 5 seconds. No problem, put on almost bald old spare, and drove back to Nebraska. Just my experiences.

 

[JHZR2]

I got donut spare in Discount Tire, BMW dealership wanted actually $10 less than DT but git in DT bcs. someone I knew worked there.
For Toyota got also at DT donut for $98, Toyota wanted $305.
So, shop around.

That’s for the rubber or a whole new unit?

Im interested in the prospect of replacement rubber since the wheel is fine…

 

[JHZR2]

For a spare, I think the practical thing is to go to a tire store and buy a well used, never repaired, less than 5 year old tire in the same size. Have it mounted and balanced and you're good to go.

The spare is not likely to be used. And even less likely to be used for very far so having lots of tread shouldn't be an issue. I'd rather have a good quality tire with less tread, than a brand I've never heard of with lots of tread.

And the next time you replace your tires, assuming they aren't too old, have the best one mounted and balanced as a spare.

You’re assuming the vehicle has a full size. Not all do… and the donuts go bad too, I’d think…

 

[ecotourist]

You’re assuming the vehicle has a full size. Not all do… and the donuts go bad too, I’d think…

You're right. So I've started another string to discuss compact spares.

 

[Shel_B]

Assuming the spare we are discussing is stored in the trunk and covered by the trunk floor there is some merit to the position that it has not been exposed to many of the elements that deteriorate tires.

Not that I'm saying using a 20 year old one is a great idea, but given a choice between a never used 15 year old spare from a trunk and a 10 year old worn out tire I would go with the 15 year old never used spare myself.

I believe the 15yo tire is past its useable, safe life. It's my understanding that older tires, even those that have been protected in the trunk of a vehicle, lose flexibility and strength by "drying out" over time.

I found this excerpt during a recent search:

"The Rubber Manufacturers Association said there is no way to put a date on when a tire "expires" because such factors as heat, storage, underinflation and conditions of use can dramatically reduce the life of a tire. Here's more on each of these factors:

Heat: NHTSA research has found that tires age more quickly in warmer climates. NHTSA also found that environmental conditions, such as exposure to sunlight and coastal climates, can hasten the aging process. People who live in coastal states and other areas with warm weather should keep this in mind when deciding whether they should retire a tire.

Storage: This applies to spare tires and tires that are sitting in a garage or shop. A tire that has not been mounted and is just sitting in a tire shop or your garage will age more slowly than one that has been put into service on a car. But it ages nonetheless.

Spares: They usually don't see the light of day, but they're still degrading with time. If the tire has been inflated and mounted on a wheel, it is considered to be "in service," even if it's never been used. And if a truck's spare is mounted underneath the vehicle, it's exposed to heat, dirt and weather — all reasons to plan on replacement."

 

[DuckRyder]

I believe the 15yo tire is past its useable, safe life. It's my understanding that older tires, even those that have been protected in the trunk of a vehicle, lose flexibility and strength by "drying out" over time.

I just said what I would choose in a fairly specific set of circumstances.

You do you...

 

[Crash Bandicoot]

That’s for the rubber or a whole new unit?

Im interested in the prospect of replacement rubber since the wheel is fine…

These are pretty standard sizes just with a T in front of them to indicate temp size. They should be able to mount them at any tire shop. I think for most vehicles you’re looking at $75-189

 

[edyvw]

That’s for the rubber or a whole new unit?

Im interested in the prospect of replacement rubber since the wheel is fine…

Rubber. Toyota sold me donut wheel for i think $139 and BMW sold wheel around that too (Toyota is 17” BMW 18). BMW wanted $119 for tire, 18” and DT sold for $109. Toyota wanted $305 for 17” tire , DT sold for $98.

 

[edyvw]

Just as a heads up for future reference, DT will match anyone’s pricing you just shoot them an email. I had them match a tire dealer on eBay’s pricing when I had to order a set of Crugen HT51s for my truck which was 25% cheaper than their price. I like DT for mounting and balance although though they can’t find a nail in a tire I drop off even if I circle it in a paint pen (true story).

I know but issues with DT are not worth it. They were trying to convince me 2 months it was my TPMS module not sensors they sold me on Tiguan. They took of snow tires with wheels with working sensors, put on summer tire wheels new sensors which could not pair with a car. Back and forth etc. and finally of course, they had to order new sensors.
When I bought snow wheels and tires for BMW they forgot to put sensors in, and guess what they tried to do? Blame on module.

 

[Kuato]

On a vehicle with a full size spare, when changing out your tires do you keep the best tire as a spare? I do.

But what if the existing spare has never been used? The spare on my BMW was 20 years old, a very high quality Continental, and perfect. BMW recommends against rotating your tires so the original spare tire never got used. Which would be better, that old but unused tire or an almost used up but newer tire.

For a full size spare I have always rotated 5. Over time, the cost of the matching rim is more than balanced out by not wasting the full sized tires that have aged out.

 

[CharlesInCharge]

Roadside assistance makes sense five miles on a flat tire will likely leave you with a ruined wheel.

I wouldn't drive on a flat. My point is I'd almost always use roadside for safety and convenience, but if I don't have a spare, we'd take the wheel off, go to a tire shop in town, put a new tire on the rim and return to rehabilitate the vehicle. Or if I had a 20 year old spare, I'd have that put on, and limp to a local shop at 35mph, which is harmless if it goes flat.

A good spare is really only super important if one is doing high speed driving and/or in rural areas without help. Otherwise, a flat in town with spares and shops nearby is a minor inconvenience and a balance against the cost and weight of carrying one. I generally do carry one but like I said, it depends. I have 2-3 vehicles without spares, and a couple with really really old spares.

 

[bunnspecial]

My thoughts as it pertains to full size:

1. I'd take a 10 year old one that's spent its entire life riding under the trunk carpet over a 5-year old one that's been on a car that entire time. Past 10 years on the spare, things might change

2. If I opted to replace a factory supplied spare, maybe this is just me but I'd rather have a new $50 Walmart China Special on the rim than one that's worn/already 5 years old and may spend 5+ more years back there. The whole point of a spare for me(even a full sized one) is to get me to a place to have the regular tire either repaired or replaced. I would trust the $50 China Special to do that over a tire that's seen 5 years on the road and then has been stored at least that long.

I go back and forth on even carrying a spare in the MG. It eats up a LOT of trunk space, although I do put it upside down and use the center of it to carry oil plus my emergency bag of parts and tools. The one in there now is on a very scuffed up rim identical to the ones on the car(special 5 spoke alloy wheels that were only used on some 79/80 cars, but that I really like and I think look good on my 1970) and the tire on it is both cheap no-name and ancient. I air it up quite literally once a week. Getting it in for a cheapie is definitely on the to-do list. I have my original RoStyles(stylized stamped steel wheels) that still have very good and not overly old(~5 years) Yokohama Avids. I'd carry one of those were it not for the fact that they use a totally different lugnut than the wheels I'm using now. I'd have to carry and change those also in the event of a flat.

My MKZ does have its original donut, which to my knowledge has been used once for about 15 miles. Back when my dad still owned the car, I think my mom was driving it and ripped a hole in one of the tires on top of Jellico Mountain in TN. The donut got us to Williamsburg, KY.

In any case, I aired it up not too long ago. Like most of the donuts I've handled, it's marked prominently "Inflate to 60 PSI." When I checked it, it was at 35psi. It took surprisingly long to get there even with my compressor set to 100psi(at the tank, and through a 50ft hose). I should probably replace that one. I THINK the well will hold a full size, so the next time I get tires I might break my rule #2 above, buy a nice wheel to replace one that has some bad curb rash, have the new tire mounted on that one, and keep the old curb rashed wheel/tire pair as a spare.