Spare tire question (Important)

[fishnmaine]

Hi,

I have a diameter question. I presently have General HTS 255/70/16 on all 4's
My spare is original Goodyear wrangler ats... 255/70/16 .....I need to take off the FRONT General and put the spare on due to a bad wear....Anyways the diameter difference between the 2 is 3/4 inch.....Will it be OK to run this for a couple of weeks....


Thanks

 

[AlexSport'00]

In my opinion, which isn't backed by any previous experience, I'd say leave it up front. The size difference on a driven wheel could cause issues cause they would be covering different distances. However, I say get a new one asap.

 

[fishnmaine]

But up front as long I'm not using 4wheel drive I think I'm OK for a few weeks or less....If anybody else would elaborate on this issue please do..

Thanks

 

[ncranchero]

The ORIGINAL spare is too old to use for anything except an emergency.

 

[fishnmaine]

The ORIGINAL spare is too old to use for anything except an emergency.

Even though there is no dry rot whats so ever? looks like new!

 

[Essex4x4]

The ORIGINAL spare is too old to use for anything except an emergency.

I would like to know more about this too since my exp is only 2 years newer.

 

[01STrunner]

Just because there is no visible damage does not mean there is nothing wrong. 8 years is a long time for a piece of rubber to be subjected to the elements, especially with the northern winters and the salt. I'm with Steve on this one. I wouldnt trust it for more than emergencies.

 

[Markaprice73]

Looks can be deceiving. Ever seen a random tire on the road just sitting there split in half? Your title "important" says it all. Safty first please. Good job on actually measuring though Make a tire swing for someone I had some questions on this in the past. I have a 6yr old tire for the spare and I hope to never have to actually use it except to get to the closest place to get it right back off. Some folks have been fine for a bit on an old spare...I just go with better safe than sorry. Good luck

This thread my help a little...Spare tire-What would you do?
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=353067

 

[01STrunner]

There is a good point in that thread. If you have auto 4x4 it's going to confuse the crap out of your computer into thinking you've got a wheel slipping.

 

[fishnmaine]

Thanks allot for all the remarks...............I guess I'm going to put 2 new ones in the front tomorrow instead of waiting. NOW the other question is since It's a 4x4 and my rears still have life to them 2 new instead of 4 is fine right? I know if you have an AWD you have to replace all 4......

 

[01STrunner]

If you can swing the expense I'd get 4. Otherwise you can't rotate your tires and you're stuck with funny wear patterns. If you can't a pair up front and a pair in back is your best bet.

Edit: sorry I don't mean to be all negative but since I've gotten my new 35s I've done a lotta reading on tires and like to be on the safe side with every precaution taken to get the best life out of them. I don't like the idea of forking out more money for something small I could've done to prevent it.

 

[Markaprice73]

be sure to get the alignment and ask them to check for anything else that could'v'e caused that one tire to wear out in the first place ball joints,bushings,etc...

 

[ncranchero]

HERE is a link to the tire report.

Your difference in tire wear importance will be directly determined by how much you use 4WD. Winter is coming, you're in Maine and will see lots of snow/ice. Assuming you'll be using 4WD only in treacherous conditions IMO you'd not do any damage, no more than the normal binding which occurs in even a slight turn. Tire slippage in both of these cases is the key to not doing damage. When not in 4WD, no problem. AWD and especially auto 4WD is much more sensitive to tire diameters.

 

[fishnmaine]

Thanks Steve great info!!!