How Long Can a Spare Tire Last?
2 Answers
Automobile spare tires have a lifespan of 4 years. The detailed information is as follows: 1. Spare tires are rubber products, so the performance of rubber products will decrease due to long-term storage of the car, and long-lasting spare car tires may even naturally burst. 2. Tires that have been stored for a long time will be covered with dust. It is necessary to regularly check the air pressure and surface smoothness of the spare tire, and regular cleaning will help save the spare tire. 3. Rubber products will experience a decline in performance due to prolonged storage, which is manifested as hardening of the surface of the car spare tire. After the lifespan of the spare tire ends, the rubber will harden, lose its original toughness, and become prone to damage or even cracking.
From my experience, don't expect a spare tire to last too long—it's really just for emergencies. I've been driving for over 30 years and have used a spare tire a few times. Each time, I didn't dare go far, usually keeping it under 80 kilometers and limiting my speed to below 60 km/h. That's because spare tires are designed as temporary solutions; their materials are thinner and more prone to deformation or air leaks at high speeds. Related to this is the issue of tire aging—if the spare tire in your car has been sitting unused for five or six years, the rubber may have dried out and cracked, making it ineffective. I remember once when my neighbor had a flat on a long trip, took out the spare, and it cracked due to insufficient air pressure. So, I always recommend using a spare tire for just a day or two and getting the original tire fixed as soon as possible—don't delay.
