Using the spare tire - what location?

[BurghRunner]

So my Runner picked up a pretty large screw in the driver's side front tire. I had the tire fixed. I'm using the never before used spare in that location. My tires are the original Bridgestones, that are in great shape at 29,000 miles. Believe it or not, they're probably still at 50% - the wife drives gently.

I'd rather not use a tire that was plugged. What's the best location (front/rear and driver's/passenger) to use the new tire?

Truck is 2006 V6 4WD.

PS: If my money was not tied up in diapers, I'd already have the Cooper ATRs I want on the truck.

Thanks.

 

[eskimochaos]

So my Runner picked up a pretty large screw in the driver's side front tire. I had the tire fixed. I'm using the never before used spare in that location. My tires are the original Bridgestones, that are in great shape at 29,000 miles. Believe it or not, they're probably still at 50% - the wife drives gently.

I'd rather not use a tire that was plugged. What's the best location (front/rear and driver's/passenger) to use the new tire?

Truck is 2006 V6 4WD.

PS: If my money was not tied up in diapers, I'd already have the Cooper ATRs I want on the truck.

Thanks.

In the back. Cant you only put it on one side? Tires are meant to rotate in a certain direction yes?
\
I'd put it in the back.

 

[BurghRunner]

The Bridgestones are not directional tires from what I can tell. They would have to let you know that if the spare was only good for one side.

 

[chaz]

start it off on the passenger rear.

 

[BurghRunner]

Thanks for the reply. What's the reasoning behind the right rear?

Offline somebody suggested to me to put the fresh spare in the right front as that location usually has the most wear.

This is probably a pretty a debatable issue.

 

[chaz]

oh yea, everybody will have a different answer. i was always told when starting a fresh tire, put it on the right rear because thats the driven wheel for the street unless your locked, have posi,or in fwd, but ive also been told the front if its done when theres snow in the winter. probably doesnt really matter.

 

[offshorebear]

Put it where it will get the most use. No sense in having the other tires bald and the "spare" still have lots of tread. On a RWD vehicle that would be the rear axle.

 

[MikesToy]

Only if you rotated all 5 tires regularly, it doesn't matter where you put the spare tire. My suggestion is to buy a new tire and put the never used new spare along with the new tire up front so you have new ones upfront. And put the other one upfront as your spare. Then throw away or sell the fixed tire on craigslist or sumthin'. Just my 2 cents.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Lots of opinions on this topic. I would suggest the right side. I am a gentle driver and therefore choose the right front.


The right front is the tire that hits the deepest puddles first. It gets the brunt of the potholes. Deeper tread helps with strength, steering, hydroplane and stopping. That's the arguement for right front.

The right rear is driven the hardest. The differential doesn't divide the torque perfectly and the right gets a little more. Of the rear tires the RR gets the most wear, takes the most abuse and is most likely to be driven over a curb. That's the arguement for the right rear.
:cheers:

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Unless you have a matching rim for your spare it's a PITA rotating all 5 tires since removing the tire off of the spare rim and putting another on isn't free.

Running a plugged tire really isn't a problem and I'd just wear the tires down as normal and keep the spare for when you really need it.

I'm not big on having 3 tires with a bit of mileage on them and then putting on a new tire with full tread;just like having miles on 3 shocks and 3 coils and putting new parts on one corner.
Just my opinion.

 

[Summit]

Buy a new tire. Now you have a matching pair of news to put on an axle. Now put the oddball on as your spare. I will sell you one. I have the stock bridgestone unused on my spare and I'll be pulling it off that rim in a few days to put on a spare to match my new SAs.

That or just run the plugged tire if it is a quality repair.