Spare tire - worth replacing?

[v_forty]

My (space saver) spare wheel and tire almost certainly the original - which would make it over 15 years old by now. Physically it's in very good condition - no cracks etc - and it seems to hold air well. I check it every few weeks and only have to top it up every few months.

Is it worth replacing, though? I've been fortunate enough to never need it - I don't think it's ever been on the car - but you never know.

[GrahamBrown1]

I wouldn't bother as long as it's holding air and legal then I wouldn't. Even if you have to top it up every now and then as long as you check it before long journeys ect then it'l be right

[DSK]

Despite it looking well and dandy, if its loosing air (despite not being used) you need to get that sorted at least (possible aged rubber not seating well enough to be fully air tight etc).

If you can afford to, for peace of mind I would say yes just replace it as that way, should you ever need to use it, you can cover good distance safely on it should you be far, far away from home etc.

Alternatively, if there's no age related cracks/perishing, no air loss or structural issues, never been used, then I'd say leave it. My C70's both have the original space saver spare's, never used, making them 17 years old, no issues with holding air and no perishing. I have tested them (being in the trade) and they are fine and I know I can depend on them in needed.

[v_forty]

Great thanks - if it ever does need to be used, it'll only be on there as a temporary fix of course; unless it starts losing lots of air between checks i'll probably leave it as-is.

[Whyman]

My caravan tyres were 8 years old and no sign of bulges or cracks but on holiday in France both of the valves failed. To test the valve just move it from side to side and if yo hear air escaping then it has failed.

Or at 15 years you could just get it replaced.

[DaveNP]

Theoretically at that age it is (over)due for replacement and one ought to advise that, but if it were me I'd still be inclined to follow your current plan of keeping a check on it and in the event that you have to use it treat it with even more caution than you would normally treat a skinny spare, to get you into the next town for a replacement driven gently it will probably do, just don't do what some people do and drive around (at high speed) for the week (month) until it's convenient to get the proper tyre replaced.

[Marty Dolomite]

Whats the worse that could happen, you get a puncture so fit the SS drive off down the road at 50 (recommended max speed) and as you enter a corner the tyre decides to die of old age you ......
A: safely stop
B : hit a kerb
C : Put your car in the Armco or into a bus stop full of children, nuns and kittens.
of course being in a Volvo you'll be fine whatever option you choose.

If you are worried enough to ask peoples general opinion then get it changed or better still go to a junk yard and buy a real sized spare wheel (then fit a budget tyre, sorry tire) so if you ever need it you are not speed limited.
You can't see how the rubber has dried out and cracked inside and will it hold air when under load and getting hot?

[volvoid]

Irrelevent. This is not America. We have TYRES on our cars, not TIRES. Shop around, vendors are selling tyres.

[v_forty]

Thanks for the replies (and apologies about the auto correct!). I've always been of the opinion that if it looks fine (by that I mean absolutely no cracks or visible wear at all) and holds air properly it should be fine, but was curious of others opinions.

A replacement (Continental brand, which seems to be the only one available at that size) is £66-ish - it's not a fortune, but IF I ever need it, it will probably only do the minimal amount of miles before being swapped back for a new full size tyre.

I keep a can of tyre weld in the car too - it might just save me changing a wheel by a busy/fast road.

[green van man]

The tyre weld might save you changing the tyre at the side of the road, it will cost you the tyre.

Once that stuff is put into the tyre it cannot be permanently repaired as the vulcanising patch cannot be stuck to the inside of the tyre. Wether this is because of chemical reaction or the tyre fitter being unable to clean the gunk off the inside of the tyre I don't know, but many tyre depots have told me they are unable to repair tyres that the gunk has been used in.

Paul.