I was just curious, and wanted to get a few opinions on tire "shelf-life." The example I will bring up is the full-size OEM spare tire on my '90 Ranger. Although the spare had 0 miles on it, since it was now 15 years old, I was hesitant to do any real driving on it. When I recently bought 4 new tires, I told the shop to keep it or discard it or whatever, and remount my best tire currently on the ground as my spare.

I see the same situation developing with my '01 Screw, as the original never-used spare tire is now 5 years old.

Thoughts, comments...?

SM

 

I would have done the same thing with a 15 year old spare.

I have had tires that still had a good amount tread on them after five years but, the sun and weather usually crack the sidewalls.

I think a spare would last longer than five because it's protected from the sun and direct weather because it's under the truck.

I would look hard at it after ten years but after fifteen, I would chuck it without even looking at it.

I'd rather go with a 5 year old tire with 70,000 miles on it rather
than a 15 year old tire with zero miles.

p.s.
My 1999 original spare has maybe 200 miles on it and I wouldn't get rid of it at this time.