Hello!

 

After swapping my winter for summer rubber yesterday, I decided to give the spare in the boot a good check to ensure it's OK. It seems fine, being the original Dunlop that was fitted when the car was new.

 

Now this got me thinking. The car is around 8 years old, so this tyre (that looks as though it's never been used) will be of around the same age.

 

Now, I know rubber deteriorates with age, and things like UV light and weather contribute to this. As it's been in the boot all its life, it's probably only seen daylight when it has been checked, however.

 

Searching for info on how old a tyre should be considered for replacement, I find conflicting advice ranging from 5-6 years to 9-10 years. Either way, it's probably in the window of getting on a bit.

 

Question is, what age of tyre would you be happy with in the boot?

 

If I decide to replace, I'll probably go for an asymmetric all season tyre, like the Vredestein Quatrac 3. Does this seem like a good choice for a spare? My thinking is that it should be OK to use with both summer, and winter tyres, (with care, obviously) and that it can go on either side of the car.

 

It could be that I'm worrying far too much about all this. It has not been unknown! 

If it's been out of daylight, I can't see a problem with using a really old tyre,  

If it's been out of daylight, I can't see a problem with using a really old tyre,  

 

That's kind of what I was leaning towards, but there's soooo much conflicting advice out there...

 

Take this article for example - http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=138

 

By gathering all the recommendations into one article, they've managed to contradict themselves in almost every paragraph! 

Strangely enough I was only think this the other day when I was cleaning and putting away winter wheels. Think winter tyres use their effectiveness after about 4 years and below 5mm? 

Normal wheels on car would probably change after 5-6 years if not already near to replacement. However the spare as you say doesn't see UV light or weather/ pollution so would have thought 10-15 years wouldn't be a huge issue. In some ways maybe a cynical ploy to extract more money by tyre makers and bureaucrats? 

David 

Strangely enough I was only think this the other day when I was cleaning and putting away winter wheels. Think winter tyres use their effectiveness after about 4 years and below 5mm? 

Normal wheels on car would probably change after 5-6 years if not already near to replacement. However the spare as you say doesn't see UV light or weather/ pollution so would have thought 10-15 years wouldn't be a huge issue. In some ways maybe a cynical ploy to extract more money by tyre makers and bureaucrats? 

David 

 

I'd be inclined to agree with your cynicism, but a 19 year old tyre was the cause of the Bestival Bus crash last year http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23320526

 

Fair enough, it was 19 years old, but I'm guessing taking into account that there will be a mean-time-to-failure (MTTF) for all tyres, that a much younger tyre could also fall to bits in the same way... it would just be rarer (I did say I may worry too much!  )

 

I may just see how the month pans out money-wise before investing in a new spare. As I need a new tyre anyway, I thought I may as well get it all done at the same time. I'll probably give it another check next time I'm due some new rubber.

I have the same dilemma - the spare in my 2002 MkI Octavia estate is the original and hence x12 years old. It looks to be "as new" and not previously fitted.

 

I did wonder if it "would do" as a spare, but reading various articles has left me planning to scrap it a purchase a new spare. I run winter tyres Nov - Mar, so will more than likely obtain a "winter" spare.

 

I wonder if the same age related deterioration applies to airbags??

My lass' previous Polo was 10 years old when we put on the original spare tyre. It delaminated within a few days, but fortunately not catastrophically.

 

I won't keep any tyres more than the recommended 6 years.

The following caution appears in Elsawin and the Octavia II's Owner's Manual:

Tyres that are more than 6 years old must only be used in case of emergency and while driving very carefully.

The Superb II, Octavia III and Yeti Owner's Manuals all say:

Tyre age

Tyres age and lose their original characteristics, even if they are not being used. Therefore, we recommend not using summer or winter tyres older than 6 or 4 years old respectively.

the trouble with an octy vrs is the spare is a 16" & tyres are 18" so for this scenario i will always be changing a v close to brand new tyre every time as i connot rotate the spare or swop it as wrong size .

whilst writing i have had an idea i will start a thread "vrs owners swop shop with 16" tyres owners new for part worn " 

10 years is the max according to Michelin and fits with what I thought.

http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-share/buying-guide/when-should-i-change-my-tyres

 

The guy who serviced my caravan noted that the van tyres are 6 years old and should be replaced before 10 years or earlier if there are any signs of cracking etc.

 

All tyres have a date code on the sidewall. 4 digit code with week of manufacture and year.

Hmmm. Probably going to spaff all the money I earn today on replacing the spare along with the other tyre that needs it then... better safe than sorry, I suppose.

 

If a tyre's never been used, I suppose it won't show any signs of cracking etc, as it's never bore any load. I think 8 years is a good compromise between the 6 and 10 year lives mentioned  :think:

 

Back to my original post... is an asymmetric all-season tyre like the vred mentioned a good compromise for a spare? Or am I best sticking to summer/winter rubber?

Looks like 10 years for spare at most then.

The Vreds should be good used the, before on MX-5 all year round had no issues at all in deep snow got everywhere I would normally so for a spare should compliment summer or winter wheels. May follow your lead on the spare though got 7 years left before I need to think about it on Fabia and roadster hasn't got one as no space. 

David 

Hmmm. these look interesting as a spare... Apparently they have fancy anti-ageing gubbins going on...

 

http://falken-europe.com/node/682

 

I can't seem to find out if they're asymmetric or directional though.

 

EDIT - Durrrrr... the big picture has outside written on the outside of the tyre, so they must be asymmetric...

Edited 6 April, 201412 yr by inventory-photo

Right... now I've decided I'm replacing the spare, I've managed to confuse myself researching other alternatives... (this is very common with me...)

So far I've narrowed the search down to these three, that all seem to get good reviews... I've already discounted looking at Matador/Linglong/Wanli/Lurpak/Goodride/Niceday/etc, etc, remoulds and silly-expensive premium tyres.

 

Starting with the cheapest non-widowmaker/ditchfinder we have Falken's AS200
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Falken/EUROALL-SEASON-AS200.htm

 

Then a bit more expensive, depending where I look...

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Hankook/Optimo-4S.htm

 

And the vreds I mentioned earlier, although there are off putting reviews about poor wear (not so important for a spare) and horrible tyre noise (more important)

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/Quatrac-3.htm

 

I'm leaning towards the Falkens now... has anyone any experience of them? I know the summer and winter tyres are reasonably well-regarded.

 

A bit of background of my driving might help. I don't really hoon anywhere, although most of my miles are probably done on the A57 snake pass attempting to hold as much of the national speed limit as possible through the bends (within reason). Car isn't remapped (Fabia 1, PD100) and is still on 14inch steelies. the rest of my summer rubber is Uniroyal Rainexpert, and Uniroyal MS Plus 6's for winter, both of which I'm more than happy with (shame they don't do an asymmetric all-season tyre).

 

I guess given my driving, I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between the three? 

Haven't got any experience of the Falkens. My brother had the Otimo 4's on his fabia which were good but did seem to wear quickly though he does drive quickly. Never noticed a noise or wear issue with the Vred's. Personally I'd have the Vred's 

David 

Edited 7 April, 201412 yr by Fabia00

Just ordered one of the Vreds into my local tyre place as the other tyres were like Hen's teeth.

 

Thanks for all your help everyone 

Right... now I've decided I'm replacing the spare, I've managed to confuse myself researching other alternatives... (this is very common with me...)

So far I've narrowed the search down to these three, that all seem to get good reviews... I've already discounted looking at Matador/Linglong/Wanli/Lurpak/Goodride/Niceday/etc, etc, remoulds and silly-expensive premium tyres.

 

Starting with the cheapest non-widowmaker/ditchfinder we have Falken's AS200

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Falken/EUROALL-SEASON-AS200.htm

 

Then a bit more expensive, depending where I look...

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Hankook/Optimo-4S.htm

 

And the vreds I mentioned earlier, although there are off putting reviews about poor wear (not so important for a spare) and horrible tyre noise (more important)

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/Quatrac-3.htm

 

I'm leaning towards the Falkens now... has anyone any experience of them? I know the summer and winter tyres are reasonably well-regarded.

 

A bit of background of my driving might help. I don't really hoon anywhere, although most of my miles are probably done on the A57 snake pass attempting to hold as much of the national speed limit as possible through the bends (within reason). Car isn't remapped (Fabia 1, PD100) and is still on 14inch steelies. the rest of my summer rubber is Uniroyal Rainexpert, and Uniroyal MS Plus 6's for winter, both of which I'm more than happy with (shame they don't do an asymmetric all-season tyre).

 

I guess given my driving, I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between the three? 

Until you have an emergency? I have to say though I would be happy with any tyre as a spare - so long as I changed it asap