Spare wheel damage if not covered.

[Patrol-Guy]

Hey all, someone said to me the other day that I really need to get a spare wheel cover because the weather damages the tyre if not covered.

I don't mind getting a cover, in fact I'm going to get one, but it was wondering, does the weather actually damage the tyre?

The spare looks brand new and possibly been there since 2008. Doesn't look damaged to me . . . . . or is there hidden dangers lurking.

Anyone had any issues with this before?

Paul

[Winnie]

Sometimes you see real old ones that have been sitting on the rear door for decades, the top of them is much brighter than the bottom and the white writing is running. Surely the tyre would not be very good, but I wonder if a tyre cover would stop the tyre from going rock hard?
A Redback spare wheel rubbish bag is a great tyre cover =]

[AB]

The uv can break down the rubber in direct sunlight after many years for sure.

You could get a wheel cover and then a redback 4x4 spare wheel cover over that for added protection and functionality all in one...lol...wink wink.

[P4trol]

It is true, tyres in hot climates perish quicker than cold climates. It's happening to the ones on the car too... And sitting on concrete is bad too. The air is what detonates the rubber. Sun doesn't help either

But including the spare in the rotation will allow you to use it and extend your tyre wear life by as much as 1/5 more if it doesn't perish first.

Beware the trapped moisture isn't going to cause other troubles.

[MudRunnerTD]

Yes it's paramount that you rotate your tyres including the spare for equal tyre life.

I have had a Cooper AT fully delaminate at 100kmh after I fitted it when I smashed a rim on the beach a few years ago. The tyre did not match the rest on the car and I assume it had been on the back door a few years.

I had the family in the car, it was the Sunday before the return to work in the new year and it was 40d and I was towing the camper at the time!!!

I expected Cooper to warrant it but they denied the warranty. They noted the the tyre was date stamped 4.5 years old but as it had been on the back door it had not been rotated and had broken down on the back door.

If it's a new tyre on the back from 2008 I would be dubious about using it. It's a safety issue.

If you have a look at the small print on the tyre markings you will probably find the date of manufacture.

The UV light is the killer.

[AB]

Slight hijack but where was that thread and diagram on rotating tyres with a spare?

[Winnie]

Slight hijack but where was that thread and diagram on rotating tyres with a spare?

I've got this saved on my phone and use it when I change tyres

[jack]

Hey AB, could print that inside the redback 4x4 spare wheel cover.

[AB]

Hey AB, could print that inside the redback 4x4 spare wheel cover.

That would be a great idea!!!

[ThomasWatson]

Being a mechanic by trade, tyres crack with age and to legally pass rego. One of the four on the car can be cracked anywhere and just so your safe check your tyres tread for any slight cracks they go a lot deeper than you think