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Author	Topic: Replacing Spare Tire	Post a Reply Back to Topics

Firedawg99 Sophomore Author California Posts:103 Points:412,720 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 1:41:15 PM Ignore Firedawg99 Report Abuse I recently went into a local tire shop to have one tire replaced. They didn't have it in stock so they put my spare on. When tire was in stock they put it on and put my spare back. The guy tells me i need to replace my spare since i have had it for 8 years. Is there a time period that you should replace a spare tire whether you use it or not? (full size spare)

Firedawg99

Sophomore Author
California

Posts:103
Points:412,720
Joined:Aug 2011

Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 1:41:15 PM

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I recently went into a local tire shop to have one tire replaced. They didn't have it in stock so they put my spare on. When tire was in stock they put it on and put my spare back. The guy tells me i need to replace my spare since i have had it for 8 years.

Is there a time period that you should replace a spare tire whether you use it or not? (full size spare)

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Titanic1985 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,266 Points:358,340 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 12:11:59 PM Ignore Titanic1985 Report Abuse Hi FuelPump. I fully agree that would be a deal killer. If a tire is severely damaged or broken from a rim, a can of air will not inflate it. I read on one of these Topics where a GB said that there wasn't even a place for a spare tire in the trunk -- now that eliminates an opportunity to even buy one. The weight versus MPG is bogus. This canned air trend is a way for the manufacturers to save money and increase profits. Take care :-). MGY
Titanic1985 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,266 Points:358,340 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 12:05:12 PM Ignore Titanic1985 Report Abuse Hello again Firedawg99. I posted a website in error and wanted to give you the right information if you want to purchase a matching rim. The site is: Junk Yard Dog - Used Auto Parts My apologies for the error :-). MGY [Edited by: Titanic1985 at 2/15/2013 12:05:48 PM EST]
FuelPump Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:21,466 Points:3,415,000 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 11:33:27 AM Ignore FuelPump Report Abuse Auto manufactures are in many cars now on the market, replacing the spare tire with a can of air and injectable goop. This would be a deal killer for me.
Titanic1985 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,266 Points:358,340 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 10:47:28 AM Ignore Titanic1985 Report Abuse Hello Firedawg99. You sure asked a valid question with received many good answers. The GBs who have posted are right, but some variations to their answers may apply. By all means examine the tire closely for dry rot. It is identifiable by small cracks in the sidewall. This is caused by age and exposure to UV rays from the sun. A tire in that condition will eventually fail, sometimes catastrophically, on a high speed run (i.e. Interstate driving). Another gas buddy said rotate it and use it. That is also a good idea, if the wheels match. Usually, a full size spare is only mounted on a black painted steel rim and the wheels on the vehicle are usually alloy & fancy. You don't mention the year of the vehicle, but perhaps you can get a matching rim from a junk yard and then use all five tires in rotation (you can put a request out to www.junkyardog.com to see if someone has one and how much -- I am assuming the four wheels are OEM). The figure of a five or six year replacement is a rather new recommendation. Yes, a vehicle's trunk gets hot and that contributes to tire deterioration. If you feel the spare does need replacing, here is another idea. In my area, many flea markets sell new and slightly used tires and will mount and balance them for you right there. Some people don't like, for whatever reason, the tires that came with their new cars and replace them. Maybe, you could get a good deal on four "new" tires and use one of the old ones on your car as a "newer" spare. I wish you well with your decision. :-) MGY
Firedawg99 Sophomore Author California Posts:103 Points:412,720 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 14, 2013 11:02:47 PM Ignore Firedawg99 Report Abuse Thanks for the info. I will be replacing it soon. So do not put on a top of the line tire like what i use on my vehicle now?
Carusle Champion Author Atlanta Posts:11,430 Points:2,254,000 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 10:16:51 PM Ignore Carusle Report Abuse Should be rotated and used.
pacecar68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:4,666 Points:868,070 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 9:21:31 PM Ignore pacecar68 Report Abuse i have never replaced one due to age or wear. 10 years is likely the max for the age of a spare tire.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,535 Points:2,837,205 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 7:00:56 PM Ignore gvan Report Abuse They recommend 5-6 years regardless pf use.
jes Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:16,170 Points:3,353,450 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 4:57:26 AM Ignore jes Report Abuse It's something that's overlooked and should be done. I wouldn't replace it with a "top of the line" tire though.
probedude2 Champion Author Akron Posts:12,553 Points:2,380,205 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 1:02:24 AM Ignore probedude2 Report Abuse If it doesn't have any cracks, it should be OK
kellyoneal Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,415 Points:705,565 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 5:18:03 PM Ignore kellyoneal Report Abuse I've never replaced one.
mr_thumper Sophomore Author Fresno Posts:216 Points:77,660 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 4:27:16 PM Ignore mr_thumper Report Abuse thanks for this info...I had really never thought about it. Ofcourse, this is the first time I have kept a car more than three years so it never entered my mind. Next month will be my fifth year with this car so I'll take a close look at the spare.
14smoke Champion Author Birmingham Posts:13,204 Points:1,924,165 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 4:18:30 PM Ignore 14smoke Report Abuse Yes, the tire can do what they call a dry rot over time. Might not be a bad idea to replace it. Shop around though.
PhilT08 Champion Author Buffalo Posts:2,106 Points:120,945 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 2:39:44 PM Ignore PhilT08 Report Abuse Yes, it is recomommended tires be replaced after 5 years. using tires past that there is a much higher risk of the tire blowing out.
BUSSY Champion Author Dallas Posts:9,907 Points:1,541,490 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 2:11:50 PM Ignore BUSSY Report Abuse Yes, tires deteriorate and 8 yrs is about the max life.