brett jaffee

I have a 97 F-150 with 120,000 miles on it. I just got new tires for it
(it's third set), but I've still got the original spare, which probably has
less then 1000 miles on it. The problem is that the spare has some
indentations on the side wall from resting up against the frame for oh so
many years. I'm wondering if it's safe to use?

Keep in mind I only would ever use the spare short term...I don't rotate it
with the other wheels, since it's painted black. Another factor: I'm
currently running 255's, but the spare is a 235 (the original tire). In
practice, I haven't noticed a difference when I've run the spare, though
as I've said, it's only been short periods.

I did keep one old 255 tire from the last set to possibly replace the
original spare with, but it doesn't have much tread on it.

Thanks in advance.

mellowed

It is typically not recommended to use a tire older than 6-7 years old.
I blew a 6 year old 5th wheel tire that looked brand new. Now, it was
over 100F outside so there was stress. Speed was about 65mph. Non the
less, there is a risk.


: I have a 97 F-150 with 120,000 miles on it. I just got new tires for
it
: (it's third set), but I've still got the original spare, which
probably has
: less then 1000 miles on it. The problem is that the spare has some
: indentations on the side wall from resting up against the frame for oh
so
: many years. I'm wondering if it's safe to use?
:
: Keep in mind I only would ever use the spare short term...I don't
rotate it
: with the other wheels, since it's painted black. Another factor: I'm
: currently running 255's, but the spare is a 235 (the original tire).
In
: practice, I haven't noticed a difference when I've run the spare,
though
: as I've said, it's only been short periods.
:
: I did keep one old 255 tire from the last set to possibly replace the
: original spare with, but it doesn't have much tread on it.
:
: Thanks in advance.

joe

Age is all important in tire safety. They will crack, which is something you
can see, but even if it's not cracked, old tires will still blow up
sometimes. 6-7 years is not really all that old, but at some point you
should punt the tire. If you put an old tire on the ground be
extra-sensitive to any shaking that results. If any of the belts in the tire
go bad it may get a little out of round before failing.

david m

On Sun, 09 May 2004 20:17:20 -0400, Joe rearranged some electrons to form:

Or a LOT out of round. I just experienced this a couple weeks ago on my
OT car. One tire developed a bulge on the tread more than an inch high.
Unfortunatly the tires that were on the car were a relatively unusual size
(23570R14) so I could not buy an exact replacement in the same tire model
(BFG T/A radial). I ended up having to buy two 22570R14's.

The tires were about 8 years old, and do not get driven all that much.

--
David M (dmacchiarolo)
http://home.triad.rr.com/redsled
T/S 53
sled351 Linux 2.4.18-14 has been up 9 days 8:26

nm5k

Probably. I'd turn it in it's mount to move the indentations to a new
place. Let the old ones smooth back out. The rubber is just taking a
set, kinda like a flat spot on tires that sit in one spot too long. I
doubt it would really hurt the sidewall unless it gets punctured. MK

karl shoemaker

I sometimes carry a "second" spare in the mountains, so if I do get a
flat, I can keep on going.
Karl