Tyre Age

[Antique]

I have a RX300 2004, today I had the first puncture and it couldn't be repaired so while the tyre firm orders a new tyre the fitted the spare. I have never used the spare, I haven't even dropped it down to check it. It turns out to be a brand new tyre fitted by Lexus when the vehicle was new. The tyre fitter told me the spare was ok for local use and would fit the new tyre to replace the punctured one back on the vehicle and put the spare back in the rack. I am mystified why this brand new unused tyre could be too old to be safe. Do you think that is true. I have to admit I was pleased it was a brand new tyre and perfect wheel because I had always dreaded getting a puncture but disappointed at the advice.

[steveledzep]

Did the tyre fitter actually say "it's too old to be safe" ? Is your spare a skinny space saver ? Maybe his advice was concerning a space saver which is usually restricted to 50 mph ? Sorry for the questions, just trying to clarify :)

[Boxbrownie]

At 2004 the tyre is obviously at least 10 years old............considered wisdom and tyre manufacturers recommend 4-5 year maximum lifespan as the rubber can decay and start to delaminate and cracking can appear.

Not even as good as being tucked away in the dark and dry of a trunk space, your spare has been slung under the rear of the vehicle getting blasted with dirt and rain for 10 years........

His advice was good.

[Boxbrownie]

Here you go from the AA website

Tyre age

As well as wearing out in use, tyres degrade naturally through exposure to heat, sunlight (Ultraviolet/UV) and rain. The amount of damage depends on the exposure and the severity of the weather.

Damage through ageing is more common with caravans, trailers and other vehicles only used occasionally. Tyres will normally wear out before they become unserviceable due to ageing.

Check for signs of cracking on the sidewalls of tyres four or five years old if your car is parked outside and get them replaced if cracking is severe. Any tyre specialist will be able to give you advice if you're not sure.

[steveledzep]

Thanks Boxbrownie, very interesting. Didn't realise a 4 or 5 year shelf life....surprising ! My spacesaver is 6 years old, never been on the car and tucked away in the boot floor. Better have a better inspection than just checking the pressure occasionally.

[Antique]

Thanks everyone for that speedy enlightenment. The wheel is not a skinny wheel, full blown wheel fitted with a Bridgestone (not a cheap tyre) It looks in really good condition, all the fitter did was rub the tyre to check what date it was manufactured. I suppose it was good advice and considering I am having a new tyre fitted the spare can go back in to the dark underside of the car. I am rather pleased I went direct to a tyre fitting garage when I noticed the tyre was underinflated and had a large screw showing in the tread because there is no way |I would have been able to lower the spare wheel down properly, evidently you have to keep the tension on the cable and pull the wheel and cover outwards. Mind you I thought about it afterwards and realised I could have called Green Flag out. Thanks again and all have a happy Christmas.

[DanD]

Steve,

your space saver is most likely fine on the basis that:

- it has not been exposed to external elements, weather, dirt etc

- it is only meant to be used for a limited period of time at up to 50/55/60 mph (I think the limit varies on the dimension and manufacturer)

[Antique]

Sorry Steve but it is not a space saver, it is a full blown spare, new from the day of manufacture. I guess 10 year old tyre might be a little old but it hasn't been used so it should be ok for occasional use. It looked fine to me, no cracks, looked as if it had just been fitted.

Regards

Happy Christmas

[steveledzep]

Thanks Daniel.....that's reassuring. A visual inspection this morning showed nothing unusual.

OK Antique.

Happy Christmas to all.

[nelmo]

All tyres have a date of manufacture on them - its a 4 digit number representing the week and year it was made eg. 0105 would mean week 1 in 2005.

We bought a new caravan in 2009 and the tyres were made in 2004 - already 5 years old before we got it :( I didn't notice for the first year - luckily caravan tyres are cheap.

[ColinBarber]

UV is the biggest problem but the spare wouldn't have been exposed to that.

On the series II even though it is mainly covered up the spare is somewhat exposed to rain, salt and temperature changes. I'm not sure I would want to use a 10 year old tyre for long motorway journeys.

[Boxbrownie]

What you could do if you buy a new full size spare to hang under the rear is to find a proper tyre cover that will wrap around the tyre nicely (and not gradually wear and tear like a "bin bag" after a few months), this will keep the spare in far better condition for much longer, and if only used as an "emergency spare" when needed you can alter your driving style when needed after a few years of it being there and know it is at least still safe.

As an aside the space saver spare we had in our old BMW 318ti was still looking like brand new when we sold the car after owning it 15 years from new......tucked away in the trunk, it had never been used at all.