Very old spare wheel - options?

[Fanwheel]

I had some rare time to myself to potter about today and decided to drop the spare wheel as i'd somehow neglected to look since I bought my puma a while ago.

I guess this is what happens after 16 years of being exposed to the elements!

Not sure if id want to risk using this if I get a flat. Just curious to see what you good people would do / have done with yours in similar circumstances? Ditch it in deference to a modern emergency sealant repair kit? Or refurb/replace the tyre? Buy a new spare?

 

[ArtfulHussy]

I wouldn't like to strictly advise what you do with yours, but I recently used mine to drive hundreds of miles on the dual carriageway with no issues.

I have no idea how old the tire was, but it looks healthy and held air. Steelie was rusted like yours but solid.

 

[yippeekiay]

Mine is still sat in my front porch even though I sold the car nearly 3 years ago. Just checked it and didn't realise it also has the P6000 Pirelli on it although mine has a screw right in the middle of it. :lol:

Anyway, on to what I'd do... In my case I removed it soon after I bought the car and replaced it with one of the standard 9-spoke alloys as I'd bought 4 new alloys.

In the case of the one you have, looks fine to me. I'd just clean the tyre up and give it a check for cracks etc and maybe wire brush/spray the wheel itself.

 

[quest63]

I have refurbed two wheels but kept the original tyre. However I never had cause to use either of them.

Its probably easiest and cheapest to get a cheap used alloy with a later tyre on it and use that as spare.

 

[redexr]

Our 51 reg Thunder has only got 34K on it and the back tyres and spare - Goodyears and the originals as fitted new - are all dated late 2001. Fronts are Goodyears dated 2008. I don't generally like using tyres that are over about 7 years old and will be putting 4 new ones on and using a 2008 as the spare. Old tyres may look OK but the rubber does degrade

 

[RICHARD MANSFIELD2]

Hi,

One of my Puma's is still running on the original tyres, drives well with no problems.
A few weeks back I got the spare out (it came with the car new), I took it into my trusted tyre shop it was checked over and I was told it was fine to use.

Regards,
Richard.

 

[Fanwheel]

Thanks all. Tyre looks good so think I'll clean up the steelie and get some satin black for my next free Sunday afternoon.

My daily driver (quashqai) doesn't have a spare at all - just a sealant kit which seems mad to me.

 

[yippeekiay]

yeah, cost/space saving. That's what I have in my RX and I'd much rather have a spare wheel although I'd have to tie it to the roof :lol: