The spare tire in my Granddaughters Jaguar is brand new condition, still has nubs on it but it's 37 years old. It held air from original inflation at the Pirelli factory. And the gum on stickers were still on the rim.
She's getting a new set of BLIZZACKS.
Send it or buy a good used tire that's newer?
Definitely replace that spare.
I had a brand new one still in the back of my 1975 280z up until a few years ago when common sense said that the spare tire should be the best tire on the car.
So, how do you know the air in it is original from the pirelli factory?
My e30 spare was made in West Germany 
Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:So, how do you know the air in it is original from the pirelli factory?
The spare had never been out of the trunk. In fact the cover over the spare hadn't been moved. It was down to about 12-15 psi
Besides it smelled like garlic?;-)
Wives,daughters and granddaughters get new tires.
Sons,... meh.
Wouldn't the Pirelli air have easily escaped when the tires were shipped unmounted from the tire factory to the Jaguar factory where they got mounted onto the wheels?
Industry standard expiration date is six years from the date of manufacture.
Its a good rule of thumb.
My trailer tires always have low miles, but tend to never make it past 8.
Maybe Florida has to do with that... but I wouldn't trust that tire at all.
Stampie said:Wouldn't the Pirelli air have easily escaped when the tires were shipped unmounted from the tire factory to the Jaguar factory where they got mounted onto the wheels?
I think the tires were mounted at the factory in Italy. The stickers on the wheels indicated they were made in Italy which makes some sense because Italy makes a lot of aluminum.
Since it was a never used spare, ( at least until I replaced it for a flat tire ). Would it be cheaper for Jaguar to buy as a assembly. Rather than buy the tires from Italy and the wheels in England and assemble them in England with its higher labor rates?
a_florida_man said:Industry standard expiration date is six years from the date of manufacture.
Its a good rule of thumb.
My trailer tires always have low miles, but tend to never make it past 8.
Maybe Florida has to do with that... but I wouldn't trust that tire at all.
Playing the devils advocate here;
Since she will get 4 new winter tires on the car and those will be replaced with 4 new summer wheels and tires in the spring.
I can't remember the last time I had a flat tire on the road, probably 30-40 years ago. Do you still believe the spare should be new Too?
Woody (Forum Supportum) said:Wives,daughters and granddaughters get new tires.
Sons,... meh.
Sure 4 New winter tires. But the spare? Then in the spring she'll get 4 new summer wheels and tires.
The absolute last moment you want a blowout is five minutes after having the previous one. It would be better to not have a spare at all - and I'm serious about that. Either replace it with a new tire or remove it from there car entirely. Then put an air pump or fix a flat in the previous space. Small leaks get pumped up and driven to tire shop, large leaks or blowouts get towed in.
In reply to dculberson :
When in the last 30 years have you had a blow out on a new tire?
If you have another one 5 minutes later, you'd better duck because lightening is going to strike, followed by a meteorite.
In reply to frenchyd :
It happens ...
Do not ask a question if you are not going to like the answers.
Buy a new spare tire.
In reply to Slippery :
Wow!! Really? How old was it? What brand?
Yes, really.
2 years old
Dunlop Direzza Z1
Around 2k miles
frenchyd said:In reply to dculberson :
When in the last 30 years have you had a blow out on a new tire?
If you have another one 5 minutes later, you'd better duck because lightening is going to strike, followed by a meteorite.
My "5 minutes later" comment was in regards to having swapped the recently blown tire out for a 37 year old spare that is nearly certain to give trouble soon after being put into use.
You've received unanimous feedback here. Whether you choose to use that advice is up to you.
In reply to frenchyd :
It shouldn't be 34. :)
I try to keep spares below 10.
On cars with FS spares, when I get new tires, the best one goes to the spare wheel.
And just to be clear, it has zero to do with mileage, weight, sunlight, etc...
You could drag a 34year old never mounted spare out of king tut's tomb, and I'm not riding on it due to the age of the rubber compounds and adhesives.
If it was me...
Depending on the age and condition of the tires currently on the car I would consider moving the best of the ones coming off to the spare wheel.
All 4 are junk. They will be replaced with 4 brand new Blizzacks ( for our Minnesota winters).
The question is should I use a tire that appears to be new, nubs and all but is actually 37 years old. As a spare?
I don't know why we're still talking about this. The question was "I want to put someone I love in a car with a questionable tire even if a spare." Answer is "How much do you love them?"
No.
Do you want your granddaughter waiting alone for a tow truck driver on the side of some road late at night?
In reply to a_florida_man :
The original 4 tires are likely 31 years old. One won't hold any air at all. Badly weather checked with deep cracks right down to the cords between treads.
The spare is a virgin. Never been outside the trunk. Never been on a wheel.
Since the 4 brand New Tires will come from the partner to Tire Rack ( Discount tires). And they are all over the metro area. Likely if one of those 4 New Bridgestone Blizzacks fails it will be within a few miles of a store. So that's how far the spare will have to travel. If a brand new tire fails.
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