We bought our EX new in 2002. We will need a set of new tires
soon. The original spare has never been on the road.
Should we get three new tires and use the "spare" or four new
tires and not bother the spare. It would seem like a waste to
not use the spare.
WLW
what the hell is an EX, excursion?
I dont know why you wouldn't use the spare... pop it on one of the 4
wheels, and take your best current tire and throw that in for a spare...
it certainly would be a waste of a perfectly good tire... now the
question would be can you find a tire to match the spare...
i know at least on rangers the spare tire is not a very good quality
tire, and i wouldn't go searching for 3 mates to it...
spare...
the
quality
Sorry, it's an Explorer.
The spare is exactly like the other four. It would have been
better to have included it in the rotations. Oh, well ..
It will be interesting to see what the dealer has to say.
Thanks,
WLW
On my Dodge Durango, the spare was on a steel wheel, not aluminum like the
others. It was also a distinctly different tire, and looked cheaper, even
though the description printed on the tire seemed to be the same.
--
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
Don't listen to the dealer... when the hell have they given really good
advice...
use the damn tire... you paid for it... why go pay $600 for a set when
you can buy 3 for $450 etc...
So your spare was on a wheel the same as the 4 on the truck?? not a
black steel one?
You still need a spare, so just keep it as a spare. I dont understand
the point of your question. As long as the spare is relatively the
same size as the new tires. just leave it be a spare. If you're
getting a totally different tire size, then you may have to sell the
spare to someone that can use it, and buy five new tires.
If this is in fact a full size spare it should have been included in your
tire rotation plan so all five tires are of the same age and mileage. If
you have the luck that I have the tire pattern that is available won't match
the spare tire (which could be one of those emergency donuts) and you'll
probably need the set anyway.
Best of luck'
Bill
On many vehicles today they have "styled" wheels except for the spare
so it makes it impossible to include the spare in the rotation unless
you are willing to pay to mount and re-balance two tires every time
you do a rotation. That extra cost will be more then just buying a
new tire when the four are worn out.
On Sat, 8 Dec 2007 19:04:14 -0500, "BerkshireBill"
Well i'm pretty sure nobody rotates the dog nut tire in do they...
the bigger problem with the "rotation" pattern is any halfton or
fullsize SUV these days has the alloy type wheels rather than hubcaps &
wheels... and who wants that black or steel colored wheel rotated in to
the mix every 10,000kms
The ideal way to "use" your spare tire, is to rotate it in with the other 4
tires every 5000 miles when you normally rotate them. Then you will have 5
equally worn out, equally old tires, instead of 4 old worn out and one old
unused tire.
At this point, I would suggest you leave it as the spare, you haven't needed
it yet, and buy 4 new tires.
Even if you bought identical tires, they would be relatively new, versus
a 5-year old tire. I don't know if the spare is kept inside or under the
truck. If it's been exposed to the weather underneath, it may not be in
the best of condition to begin with.
I would keep it as a spare, but maybe have the tire shop check it to
make certain it is in good condition. If you ever have to use it, treat
it like a temporary spare and get it replaced as soon as possible.
--
If there is a no_junk in my address, please REMOVE it before replying!
All junk mail senders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the
On 12/9/2007 9:10:04 AM, Andrew Rossmann wrote:
snipped-for-privacy@msn.com says...
the other 4
Then you will have 5
and one old
haven't needed
new, versus
under the
not be in
check it to
treat
possible.
That's a good point. Thanks. That's what I will do.
I wondered about the spare being under the car and exposed to
five years of Florida heat.
WLW
and when the michelin man gets really hungry during the wee hours, he might
sneak
out to take a nibble out of a bridgestone, but anyways...
just a note. all 5 wheels/tires are the same on 2000 mazda b3000 (ranger) with
aluminum wheels (they seem to be aluminum).
If you want to put the spare tire into the rotation, the solution is
to find another matching aluminum rim at a wrecking yard or as a
"take-off" at a local tire shop that sold someone else a new set of
rims, they often keep the old ones for either scrap or resale.
Go leave a written request for a set of Ranger/B3000 wheels at all
the regional car dealers and tire shops with your name and number. A
set will show up. And since you aren't in a "I Need It Right Now!"
panicked rush, you shouldn't be paying full retail - depending on how
fancy they are, some of those rims can be $200 to $500 new at the
dealer.
If you can find a really good price on the rims like $20 each and
they have more than one, get what they have. Then you are ready if
you bang into a curb and bend or break one.
Take-offs usually come in sets of 4 - unless they were removed
because the prior owner broke one and bought four new (non stock)
matching rims, in which case there are three good ones left.
Sometimes they even come with decent used tires on them as a bonus,
but the price is a bit higher.
Oh, and snow tires go much better on a separate set of steel rims -
save yours, find more. Snow means salt and tire chains and de-icing
chemicals, and they are hell on the finish of alloy wheels, which are
costly to have refinished - steel rims can be cleaned up and painted
easily and cheaply.
--<< Bruce >>--
Every spring after the snowmelt, I spend some time with my Dremel
tool & polishing compound to make the rims look like new. It takes
time but well worth the effort.
Motorsforum.com is a website by car enthusiasts for car enthusiasts. It is not affiliated with any of the car or spare part manufacturers or car dealers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.