2004 original spare. Should I toss it???

[rusty_tlc]

I guess it depends on where you drive. If you are mainly on black top or within a short distance of paved roads and a quick tow roll the dice.

We tend to be miles from anywhere pretty often. It's just the nature of where we live and what we do. I wouldn't feel comfortable with out a spare that I could trust to handle 100+ miles of driving in high heat on gravel roads and at highway speed on pavement.

@Myanmar, really? you trust what a tire monkey says more then what tire manufacturers publish? Do a quick google and read what many independent sources have to say on the topic.

 

[jemsec]

I challenge you to show us an instance of a 10 year old, unused spare tire failing.

Would you like to buy some 12 year old tires for your wife's car? Never used only $20.00 each.

 

[AimCOtaco]

Would you like to buy some 12 year old tires for your wife's car? Never used only $20.00 each.

Yes, yes I would!

AFAIK the whole tire age panic started a few years back, before that nobody gave it a second thought if there was no visible dry cracking. Nobody argues with safety $$$ and that = more sales. Sure it's worth paying attention to but it's not cut and dry, every tires life is different and I expect the usage is a lot more important than the age.

I would love to find a free set of 10 yr old 35" MT's for my truck thats for sure! Hand them over pundits!

The FED won't even let anyone sell me a set of mounted balanced wheels and tires for our Mazdaspeed3 without charging an extra $250 for TPMS sensors... the TPMS system on the car is useless, I get more data from the steering wheel and my eyes... but big bro knows best right. Then the tire guy disclaimer tells you he can't program the TPMS system and you need your dealer or mechanic to be responsible for that part...F that! /end rant