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I had a tire on my F150 that was plugged, after about a year the plug started a slow leak. Every couple of days it would need air. Took it to Sam's, Firestone and Discount Tires no dice they would not repair it with a patch on the inside and one plug is all you get. The only recourse is a new tire. Changing industry standards was their rational.

That said since the tire had lots of tread left I babied it for longer than I would like to admit to. Finally the tread started to separate and that forced my hand.

The dilemma was buy just two tires one to replace the bad tire and the another so as I could use one of the existing tires on the F150 as a spare as the existing spare is 20 years old...hard as a rock. Or buy 4 new ones and use an old one as the new spare.

Tires are 5 years old with 42K miles, plenty of tread left on em. Could go another 20K easy. Cost for two out the door 320. Later when needed it would be another 320 for the 2 for a total of 640.. Cost for 4 new ones 565 out the door with a rebate/sale (75) that ended on the day I was there. What to do????

Tires that are 5 years old with the heat in the desert are no bueno..they start to become suspect after that. Last set of tires lasted me 10 years wt 60K on em and they had good tread left. (2003-2013 when I had a blow out).

I opted for the complete new set of rubber...

I asked 4 of my friends what they would do under the same circumstances...all said they would opt for having the complete new rubber.

Let us talk about Batteries...I am now just starting on my 4th battery on my F150. The OEM lasted 5 years, the second 9 years, the third 6 years...Remember I am in the desert where heat takes it's toll on batteries and tires..

The two batteries that lasted were WALLMART Batteries...So I have had real good luck with them..try and beat 15 years on 2 batteries.