Factory spare tire

[LX_TREME]

I haven't use the spare tire since I bought LX brand new back in '97.Once year or every 6 month I just check the spare tire pressure.Now my question, Is it safe to keep it over long period time? I'm mean we are talking about almost 10 years now and I haven't use it at all, not even once until now.

 

[-Spike-]

Discount Tire tells me that tires over 4 years old are toast. Take that with a grain of 'you need to spend more money', as I was trying to buy 2 tires to match the 3 5-year-old ones with 95% tread left that came with the vehicle when I got it.

Bottom line, inspect the sidewalls and tread grooves for dryrot (cracking). Your 10-year-old spare is most likely toast.

-Spike

 

[alaskacruiser]

LX- I assume you haven't been rotating the spare into your tire rotation because it's of a different type than your other 4? Otherwise, it would be a good idea to rotate the tire in so it sees some use, and so you have more even wear on all your tires.

 

[RavenTai]

my 80 came with the original spare, unfortunately the PO had just replaced the other 4 tires with Michilin LTX 265/70's, I bought a fifth one of the same size and rotate them though, when the stock 275 came of the bead ripped in half, 8 year old dry rotted tire with original rubber nubbies on the tread, what a shame. it had pretty deep permanent impressions in the sidewall from the cross member also,

no idea how long it would have lasted on the road,

 

[cartercd]

Do a search on Google for "tire expiration" and you will see some good info on the topic. Six years tends to be the recommended max. You are supposed to include the spare tire in your rotation, otherwise your spare will be of larger diameter than your other tires. Different diameter tires are not generally good for AWD vehicles because of the viscous coupler (this topic has been discusses in this forum before).

 

[hoser]

Yup, tires typically have a 6-7 years shelf life. The spare on the bottom is out of most UV rays but is also subjected to the heat of the asphalt and exhaust.