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Too late for spare.

8K views 62 replies 18 participants last post by  Barrie 
#1 ·
i have 20k ont the jeep, is it too late to put the spare on for 5 tire rotation.
 
#3 ·
Ok what am I missing? I dont see the advantage of putting the spare in the rotation.Cant see how you get extra mileage life out of tires. 3 of the original tires are always on vehicle. If you add spare to rotation you have to buy 5 new tires instead of 4.What am I not getting?? If I'm just stupid tell me.
 
#4 ·
I think the thinking is for the most part, with a Jeep who knows what tires we will buy next? If you rotate all 5 they not only last longer before having to change but if you switch from 285 to 295 or 33 to 35 or even backwards, you don't feel tied to the spare. Not to mention if you change brands and now the spare no longer matches.

I don't do it myself, I just cover the spare with a tire cover so not to show the spare no longer matches lol
 
#6 ·
weakkneewillie said:
Ok what am I missing? I dont see the advantage of putting the spare in the rotation.Cant see how you get extra mileage life out of tires. 3 of the original tires are always on vehicle. If you add spare to rotation you have to buy 5 new tires instead of 4.What am I not getting?? If I'm just stupid tell me.
The goal is to have had all 5 underneath the jeep for the same amount of time, each one gets to be the spare a few times. You'll end up with five evenly worn tires. They will last longer because you've got five in rotation.
 
#7 ·
Lets use an easy number for the math.

If you rotate the spare every 2000 miles making sure a new tire is rotated to the spare rack every time then in 10,000 miles each tire would have been on the spare rack for 2000 miles and on the road for 8000. So even though each tire road 8000 miles you drove 10,000 so your tires last longer. So if 4 tires would normally have a 40,000 life span a 5 tire rotation would get you 50, 000 miles.
 
#10 ·
weakkneewillie said:
I think Ill keep my spare on the back and only buy 4 when I need them.
Are you sure you're going to get the same tires next time? If not, your spare won't match. Really, there's no good reason not to rotate it. The only other sensible approach--if you're confident you're going to get the same tires again--is to not rotate the spare, but then make it one of the primary tires when you buy the next set and put a new spare on the back.
 
#15 ·
Are you sure you're going to get the same tires next time? If not, your spare won't match. Really, there's no good reason not to rotate it. The only other sensible approach--if you're confident you're going to get the same tires again--is to not rotate the spare, but then make it one of the primary tires when you buy the next set and put a new spare on the back.
NO...for the sake of this arguement I'm keeping the same size tires.
 
#13 ·
weakkneewillie said:
So on a new vehicle after 3k miles your adding a tire with 0 miles on it into a rotation with 3 other tires with 3k on them??
I do it at about 6k. Works fine.
 
#16 ·
weakkneewillie said:
NO...for the sake of this arguement I'm keeping the same size tires.
Okay, then just rotate it in when you get new tires and put a new spare on the rear. Otherwise, it'll eventually dry out in the sun and/or get too old to safely use.
 
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#19 ·
weakkneewillie said:
"The only other sensible approach--if you're confident you're going to get the same tires again--is to not rotate the spare.."

THATS THE POINT IM TRYING TO MAKE!!!!:doh:
But a lot of folks don't get the same tires twice, and when they do they'll oftentimes still not rotate in the spare.
 
#21 ·
Rotating the spare also saves your alignment should you have to use it. It would be more pronounce on tires win more aggressive tread, but not ever having rotated in a spare after 20k then all of a sudden your have to mount your spare, your jeep, or any vehicle is going to sit higher at the corner with the spare because the overall diameter is greater than the other 3.

And some retailers will buy back tires and prorate based on wear (Sears is one of them).
 
#23 ·
weakkneewillie said:
I agree...your gonna change your tire size..put your spare in rotation..no doubt:facepalm:.......Your NOT no reason to..Thats what I have been TRYING to say a long....DUH!!!
So long as you put the spare on as one of the four primaries when you get new tires, then, yes, there's no reason to rotate the spare.

BUT--careful just assuming you're going to get the same tires again!! I thought I'd be happy with 32 BFGs forever, but then all those 33 ATs start looking good. After that, who knows . . .
 
#24 ·
Rotate them how you want, but here are a couple of things to think about:

1) If you do a 5 tire rotation, your spare starts out 5K behind, but eventually catches up. As far as tire wear is concerned. After the 3rd or 4th one, they are pretty much equal. Do the math...

2) If you go out and buy a new 4 tire and wheel setup, for the ones on the ground, when you have to use your spare, you look like a dill-hole. you are leaning towards the small tire and your stability goes to crap.

3)And, if you do have 5 tires/wheels that are equal, but only rotate the 4 on the ground, then the 5th will always be a virgin and keep the stripes and nipples. Not cool.

Besides, it's easier to do a 5 tire than it is to do a 4 tire. Only need 1 jack. No jack stands.
 
#25 ·
3)And, if you do have 5 tires/wheels that are equal, but only rotate the 4 on the ground, then the 5th will always be a virgin and keep the stripes and nipples. Not cool.

Oh I always though"What do the poeple think of my spare"

Especilly when its under my tire cover.:confused:
 
#28 ·
Nope.

After five or six years of hanging off the back of the Jeep, are you sure you can trust it when you need it? Will it still hold air, is it dry rotted etc?

I mean, would you buy a tire that was sitting around the shop for five years but is still brand new?
 
#38 ·
Nope.

After five or six years of hanging off the back of the Jeep, are you sure you can trust it when you need it? Will it still hold air, is it dry rotted etc?

I mean, would you buy a tire that was sitting around the shop for five years but is still brand new?
Right after I bought my JEEP I sold my 1998 F150(193000 orign.miles)...Guy wanted to know what spare looked like(Never touched spare). We pulled it down and after 13 years of traveling under the F150.....Looked like it just came off showroom floor...13 YEARS...Dont tell me a few years on back of a JK are going to kill tire. YFOS!!!!!
 
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