When to replace spare tire?

[Ray Dunakin]

How long can an unused spare be kept before it needs to be replaced? I know they don't last forever, and I don't want to find myself in the position of needing the spare only to discover it's no good.

Right now my spare is the stock tire that came with the vehicle. When I do replace it, I'm thinking I'll upgrade it to match the tires I'm currently running (KO2 265/70/17). As long as it's the same size it should still fit on the spare tire mount, right?

 

[whtout]

How long can an unused spare be kept before it needs to be replaced?

Used to be 7 years if I remember correctly. 10 Years is the new expiration date I do believe.

As long as it's the same size it should still fit on the spare tire mount, right?

Yup. You can even go larger.

 

[rigtec]

"Used to be 7 years if I remember correctly. 10 Years is the new expiration date I do believe... Yup. You can even go larger."

Hi whtout,

My 2012 Limited OEM, spare tire was 245/60 R20 (Geolander). I swapped those to 275/55 R20 as soon as I bought the truck. But the oem spare just barely fits in the tire well. 245=mm width.

The 55 = the carcus (sidewall height from bead to tread outer diameter) @55% of the width. and (of course); the R20 = the rim diameter "in inches"! Do you know if the FULL diameter (Height), 70% of 265 of the width will squeeze into the spare tire well; just curious?

Here's a photo of my 275/55 R20 next to the 245/60 R20; the NEW Goodyear Eagles are just off the shelf with NO RIMS on the Right. The original tires on the left ARE still inflated to 35 psi:

"...Big difference" 'Best to you',

rig

 

[BoomerBob]

I was taught that I shouldn't run a smaller or larger tire on the other side of the drive wheels for more than short distances but I don't know if the 3rd gen TR4 has a limited slip with clutches to wear out on the back.

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

Used to be 7 years if I remember correctly. 10 Years is the new expiration date I do believe.


.

I recall 6 and as you say, I recall an extension.

Btw there is a dot number on the sidewall that gives the week and year of mfg.

One thing I always do is check that number on new tires to make sure I’m not getting some that have sat on the shelf for years before purchase.

 

[Victory 4x4]

Hi whtout,

My 2012 Limited OEM, spare tire was 245/60 R20 (Geolander). I swapped those to 275/55 R20 as soon as I bought the truck. But the oem spare just barely fits in the tire well. 245=mm width.

The 55 = the carcus (sidewall height from bead to tread outer diameter) @55% of the width. and (of course); the R20 = the rim diameter "in inches"! Do you know if the FULL diameter (Height), 70% of 265 of the width will squeeze into the spare tire well; just curious?

Here's a photo of my 275/55 R20 next to the 245/60 R20; the NEW Goodyear Eagles are just off the shelf with NO RIMS on the Right. The original tires on the left ARE still inflated to 35 psi:

"...Big difference" 'Best to you',

rig

I thought the same thing, but fit my 285/70R17, fully inflated without any problems. It just hangs down a little lower.

 

[cb1111]

There is no regulatory timeframe, but several manufacturers have bulletins on the matter. In addition, Tirerack has a couple of tech bulleting on this. They can be found on the right side of the link I posted.

Remember that an underbody spare is exposed to far harsher conditions than a tire on your car. It isn't regularly exercised but while it isn't exposed to UV, it is often covered in mud and standing water will often sit on top of the tire. The wheel also takes more abuse.

 

[nglayton]

From the bulletins.......

"If your customer has a matching full-size spare tire (same size and type as other in-service tires) it is recommended that it should be rotated into service as part of the regular rotation."

I think the key here is "matching size" - most of us don't buy that 5th tire when we upgrade :frusty:

BFG says basically 5 years, with regular inspections for up to 5 years after that.

Goodyear (Dunlops) is very careful to say "Since service and storage conditions vary widely, accurately predicting the serviceable life of any individual tire in terms of years and/or months is not possible. "

 

[2003-4x4runner]

I’ve read and heard that the spare tire is good for 10 years. I’m sure the quality of the tire, location of the spare and where you live (like the south west) would play a big role on the life of the spare tire.

 

[johnbt]

Does the clock start when the tire is manufactured? Check your sidewall date on the spare.

 

[Tejas]

I know Discount Tire won't touch a tire with a born on date olde than 10 years, so I am assuming that's the new standard, but depending on exposure and the particular tire, a lot of tires will dry rot long before then.

I have a 275/70/17 KO2 in the stock spare location on mine with no fitment issues, but I don't think you could squeeze anything larger in there. Even if you could it would likely hang too low imho.

 

[tls3601]

I had a blowout on the front tire of my ‘01 Tundra recently, used original spare(yes 18 year old tire) to drive it home and into the shop the following AM. I drove slow and took my time. Replaced all tires, including the spare with new Nitto Terra Grapplers like what I have on my Pro. 18 year old tire, geez!

 

[whtout]

Do you know if the FULL diameter (Height), 70% of 265 of the width will squeeze into the spare tire well; just curious?

It appears a 275/55R20 tire is 31.9" tall.

My post was based on learning people are clearing 285/70R17... which is 32.7" tall.

You should have no issues mounting that size to the spare well!

I'm new to this truck but before I buy a full size spare my plan is to just take a wheel off and swap it with the spare to see if it fits. Won't take much effort and a non-emergency is a good time to practice... even if it doesn't fit.

 

[jk24runner]

I in fact just put a 285/70/17 in the spare spot. Fit with no issues. Better safe than sorry

 

[Rack]

How long can an unused spare be kept before it needs to be replaced? I know they don't last forever, and I don't want to find myself in the position of needing the spare only to discover it's no good.

Right now my spare is the stock tire that came with the vehicle. When I do replace it, I'm thinking I'll upgrade it to match the tires I'm currently running (KO2 265/70/17). As long as it's the same size it should still fit on the spare tire mount, right?

Ray, Ten years is at the limit in a perfect world.
Judging from your photos you spend a lot of time in the desert.
Drop the spare and check the "Born on Date" along with the air pressure. If I was going where you go I would like to know my spare is in good shape. Tires have a tendency to decompose in a static state. More so in adverse climates and road conditions. They may look great but under a load they will suffer tread separation. I know this from experience.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

Ray, Ten years is at the limit in a perfect world.
Judging from your photos you spend a lot of time in the desert.
Drop the spare and check the "Born on Date" along with the air pressure. If I was going where you go I would like to know my spare is in good shape. Tires have a tendency to decompose in a static state. More so in adverse climates and road conditions. They may look great but under a load they will suffer tread separation. I know this from experience.

Yeah, that's what happened with my previous SUV, an Isuzu Trooper. Never got a flat until it was 14 years old. Of course it happened in the middle of nowhere, Nevada with four days left on my trip. The original spare was under a hard cover, so that helped, but it still came apart three days later near Beatty, NV. Had to get a tow from there to someplace west of Baker, CA as that was the nearest place that had the size I needed.

So that's why I want to be proactive on replacing the spare before it gets that bad.