Tire rotation - 4 or 5 tires?
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03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
I always do 5. All 5 of my tires wore out at the same time which is good because when I put my new BFG all terrains on I wanted to replace all 5. There was no sense having a unused not needed tire setting around. I rotate all 5 of my new tires also.
TechWrench
Senior Member
5 - always. You get about 20% more tire life across all 5. The spare wears at the same rate as the other 4, so there is no issue mounting one tire that is larger in diameter than the others. When the time comes to replace them, you won't have a 4-5 year or older spare tire that may have never been used. If you want to change to a different type of tire, you are not stuck with an odd-ball spare. You get practice using the spare mounting system, so if won't be a 'new' experience if you have to change a flat. The regular use of the spare mounting system, might keep it from rusting solid from non-use, and not working when you need it most.
PS: I use the 5 tire rotation method recommended by Bridgestone, not the one in the Toyota manual. I feel rotating tires from side to side, as well as front to back is better, and makes more sense, to me.
PS: I use the 5 tire rotation method recommended by Bridgestone, not the one in the Toyota manual. I feel rotating tires from side to side, as well as front to back is better, and makes more sense, to me.
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TechWrench
Senior Member
RonMAIDEN said:
That's one of the 'extras' I got with my '03. It came with a full size spare, mounted on the 17" alloy wheel. So I can't use that excuse for not including the spare in the rotation pattern. Oba-Wellba, I guess I will have to keep climbing under the back to retrieve my spare once every year.
Muskie Junkie
New member
MikesToy said:Buying 4 new tires is cheaper than buying 5. I don't make that much so just my 2 cents.
But you will go 20% longer before you have to buy those 5 tires so it evens out.
If you really want to save money, rotate all 5 for the life of them, then when it comes time to replace them keep the best of the old 5 as your spare, buy 4 new ones and start rotating just those 4.
In the end your truck goes to the junk yard with a spare that is worn out, rather then never used, thus saving you the cost of one tire.
Muskie Junkie
New member
MikesToy said:
If you can sell the spare tire for more than you paid for a tire at a tire shop then yes.
I don't want to start a big thing here, I'm just trying to prove my point that if saving money is what you're after then get some use out of that brand new tire that that is hanging under the back of your truck.
Trust me I'm right on this one, tires are like gas, you need them to drive, you're going to burn them up, rotate that spare into the mix and get 99% of the use out of it (saving the 1% in case you ever need the spare) if you want to save money on buying tires.
TechWrench
Senior Member
MikesToy said:
The spare, if it is the one that came on your '03, is already 5 years 'old', even if it has never touched the road. I believe the suggested 'shelf' life for a tire is between 8 - 10 years max, because even if not in use, the rubber compounds deteriorate over time, and become unstable. Your '03 4Runner should outlive that spare by quite a bit, so if you keep it until you 'junk' that 4Runner, the spare won't be worth much, except for maybe the wheel.
Get your value out if it now.
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