Calling tire guys....

[zgensler31]

So while pulling my brothers xterra out of a mud hole Saturday night I wake up to this...

I picked up a screw in the sidewall of my tire about three months ago. Local shops said they weren't legally allowed to touch it because of its location.

But Im on a very tight budget, and it would hold air....only dropping about 5 psi every two weeks so I just let it be and refilled the tire once a week. But I guess the dirt trail my brother was stuck on(rocks and some pot holes, minimal mud) managed the hit the screw enough to open the gash enough. Now holds 35 psi for about 5 minutes. Luckily enough to make it home as I had just taken my spare off to undercoat.

So after reading all that, here is my question. My spare is pretty old. How old Idk. Only owned for 6 months. Brand new tread but one spot of dry rot. Has me worried. So is this safe?

Its only In one spot on the tire. I would about 14 inches long. Can I run it? Good chance it will blow? I really have no clue. I just filled it to 35 to make sure it's not losing air.
Thanks

 

[rebelbowtie]

I wouldn't drive on it long, tires have a manufacture date on the sidewall. I can't recall exactly where it is, some tires it's like a code. A quick google search should help you finger it out.

That being said, tires are according to the DOT only good for 5 years. After that no matter what the tread looks like the rubber is compromised too dry rot and the such.

I'd run that spare for as short as possible and get a new tire. When you think about it, what is the only thing contacting the road keeping you in control of your vehicle?

 

[SV_Dude]

Look on craigslist for tires. I just replaced all 4 tires and got new upgraded wheels for $250. Then I got 3 of the exact same tire for spares for $50. All had good tread and even wear. So for $300 I got upgraded SR5 tires and wheels on my 2010 Tundra with 3 spares.

I bet you can find a decent tire for about $30 on craigslist and then have a shop mount and balance it for another $10 unless you can do it yourself.

 

[zgensler31]

OK. I was pretty sire that spare was a no-no. Just thought to ask. And I've been scouring the Craigslist for weeks. However I'm also saving for a engine rebuild. This sucks. Oh well. I'll find some rubber. Thanks guys.

 

[NJshadow93]

I'm selling a set of tires, and you're probably pretty close. They have good tread life and no signs of dry rot. Here's my thread, send me a PM if interested.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-suspension-wheels-tires/123758-4th-gen-17-rims-tires.html

 

[stevec5000]

If the tire won't hold air you can always get a tube and put in it. Remember tubes from the '60's? Some places still sell them. I used to do that with the Michelin tires on my pickup when they got so many holes in them they couldn't be patched anymore. The tubes lasted for years, until the tires got so old and cracked the sidewalls split open.

 

[KidVermicious]

Yup, you can tube it. Or better yet, plug the hole yourself. I wouldn't run it forever, but one or two plugs and a good gob of cement will hold you over until you can replace it. Then run the plugged tire as your spare.

 

[DexTech]

junk yards and small greasy tire shops are a good spot to find decent used tires. around here most are $20 a tire. Hard to find 4 of a kind good ones. but one or two is possible.

just last week I needed a truck tire for a spare on a pickup truck. found a good one at a small tire shop. $25 for the tire, install and balance.

I wouldn't bother with the big tire shops, they don't sell used. Try the small shops where nobody is from around here if you know what I mean.