Would you trust an old space saver spare?

[Quickstep192]

I bought a space saver spare at Hershey a few years back. I have no idea of course how old it already was when I bought it. Today, I inflated it for the first time and it seemed to expand fine and hold air. I deflated it and it contracted to it's original shape. I don't see any cracks or anything like that. Would you trust this as a spare?

[porsche930dude]

I would just dont go over like 50 and get it changed as soon as you can. also they dont like to be inflated for long periods of time. like weeks. they will crack like crazy. The way I look at it a tire that holds air is better than a flat one and probrobly even less risky than having it towed

[Joe Bob]

Aaa premium.....

[Jerome74911S]

I would trust it. I inflated mine and examined it with a magnifying glass and saw no cracks. I let it sit in my shop for two weeks and then I examined it again. No air loss, and no cracks visible with the magnifying glass.

However they made those tires, they seem to last, but then of course they don't see daylight which may be the biggest reason for their longevity.

[umgang]

i recently bought a 1987 carrera and had a tire blow out.
Pulled out the original space saver, inflated it and drove him.
Pulled the schrader valve, let the air out, and put it back in the trunk.
Worked just like Dr Bott intended.
Just be sure you have the inflator with you!

[Matt Monson]

I had to use the one in my old '85. I drove approximately 60 miles on it at 45-50mph. By the time I got home there were cracks in it that were not there when I inflated it and started my journey. When I deflated it the tread delaminated.

I would do it again on my '86 if needed. But would also retire it afterwards.

[DRACO A5OG]

Just make sure you re-fresh the valve. The OEM metal stem seal are toast and will leak making the spare useless.

+1 AAA or your insurance company's tow service but in a pinch make sure spare will work for you.

[keynsham1]

Tyre manufacturers recommend no tyre is used usually after 6-10 years, depending on the manufacturer themselves. My space saver is 36 years old and there is no way I would ever use it. Even if it looks fine, the rubber and fibres in the tyre perish with age. I might use mine to limp off a freeway, but nothing else. You are taking a monsterous risk using old tyres like this in my opinion. Have a look at the link:

20 Year Old Tyre Causes Fatal Crash | Tyre News

[Canada Kev]

I think one has to treat every situation differently and with a modicum of common sense. If I were in an area close to a town or, well, almost anything, I'd call AMA or AAA or whatever and have the car up on a deck to head to a tire shop.

However, up here there are lots of places that are pretty much nowhere. There may be no cel service, no towns and only an occasional other driver that reminds you of Deliverance. In those situations, that collapsible donut might be the thing that allows you to limp in to civilization. I also carry a tire plug kit. As a last resort, I also have a bottle of that spray in the valve tire goo that might help unless I have a big hole or a sidewall gash or something equally catastrophic.

That collapsible spare, no matter how undesirable, might be the thing that gets me home.

[azhodge]

Do they sell new replacements for the spare in my 88? should I inflate the existing twenty seven year old spare and look at it just to diligent ? Am I wasting my time and gas dragging this thing around with me in the trunk? I do carry the goo and inflater.

[Jerome74911S]

It's funny that there isn't more discussion on this topic, because almost everyone on this forum is driving around with one of these ancient tires in the trunk.

There are other threads where the issue is discussed, but no good answers. I have the old spare (see my post above), plus a tire plug kit, a can of squirt goo, a mini compressor, and a CAA card (equals AAA in the States). You do what you can, as Canada Kev mentions above.

From the reading I've done, you cannot buy a replacement tire of this sort, plus they are difficult to mount without special equipment. I would also like to hear good new news about a real solution, because is sure is a common problem. Calling a tow truck is not an option in many rural areas.

[Jesse16]

I used mine sensibly last year and it inflated, looked great, and deflated as if new. I put it back and would use again if required. Not interested in the exercise of trying to replace as 3A is always an option. Of course, mine is only 28 years old !

[universeman]

I just used mine last week. It worked just fine for a short drive home (30mph max speed). Did not inspire confidence however, would not recommend for long travel for sure.

Check your compressors also - mine nearly burned my car to the ground once it cut off (due to pressure? overheat? I don't know why); I don't know if the switch has failed or what but I got the dreaded 'smoke from behind the dash' and I think my 12v cig lighter wiring is now shot. Careful!

[Jesse16]

Yea, the compressor (and mine is a modern but of course Chinese replacement unit) is a total joke in that it probably took 15 minutes to inflate the tire and I had to run the car for the thing to even run at full speed. At least it seemed to work fine with no getting too hot or complaints.
Makes sense that it should probably be clipped directly to the battery terminals to draw that much power that long from 30 year old car wiring. Think I'll revise mine to use alligator clips this winter, remove the lighter plug completely so I don't forget. Think I got a set with my battery maintainer not been used since I have that connected via the little permanent pigtail thing.

[CCM911]

If it came between being stranded or using the spare, I would take my chances with the spare. That being said, I would not go very far, and certainly not go over 40 or 50. And I would not suggest using it for your next DE, LOL.

[Drisump]

Originally Posted by Jerome74911S

It's funny that there isn't more discussion on this topic, because almost everyone on this forum is driving around with one of these ancient tires in the trunk.

There are other threads where the issue is discussed, but no good answers. I have the old spare (see my post above), plus a tire plug kit, a can of squirt goo, a mini compressor, and a CAA card (equals AAA in the States). You do what you can, as Canada Kev mentions above.

From the reading I've done, you cannot buy a replacement tire of this sort, plus they are difficult to mount without special equipment. I would also like to hear good new news about a real solution, because is sure is a common problem. Calling a tow truck is not an option in many rural areas.

Jerome, IMHO I thought there were quite a few good answers in this thread. No one knows how a specific 30 year old spare will perform so discretion is the key. It seems that these tires should only be used as a last resort and at modest speeds...people should be aware of stories like Matt's. Like most readers, my spare LOOKS pristine and hopefully will remain that way. I've had two flats over my ownership and worked around without using that spare.I consider myself lucky since my car is almost always in the "boonies"....even at home. Cheers

[Raceboy]

I was on a road trip in Florida with 1987 944S few weeks ago, had a flat tire when driving from Miami to Orlando and changed the spare. I had it already inflated just in case. Drove 100 miles to Orlando, kept speed under 60mph, no problems at all. It was obviously a bit soft like high sidewall tires are and had few minor cracks too near folding areas but it worked perfectly and when deflated it folded back perfectly too.
It's a spare, still better than flat lol

[gtc]

I've used mine a number of times. Never had any problems. My biggest concern about it now is that the super fine tread pattern is getting worn off.

[evan9eleven]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I would do it again on my '86 if needed. But would also retire it afterwards.

Did you just say you would re-tire it afterwards?

Sorry, someone had to say it!

[Quicksilver]

The spacesaver spares are very specifically designed to be used at reduced speed because they are flexible and heat buildup from tire flex is dangerous. The exact reason older tires are dangerous is because they are susceptible to failure from heat/flexure related failures. It you used an old hardened tire within the same limitations as the spacesaver spares are rated for you probably wouldn't have failures with them.

If it holds air and you use it within the guidelines they are intended for, there won't be a problem. Besides if you lose control of a car at less then 50 miles an hour because the spacesaver has a flat I would say you either weren't using it as it was intended or you are a really, really bad driver and shouldn't have a car.