Spare tire rotation

Lopenator

New Member
Original poster
Joined
Jun 23, 2019
Messages
22
Location
Ny
Hey everyone. I was recently gifted a spare tire. Brand new tire, same as I have under my Jeep right now. I never had a spare for it. I would like to be able to rotate this tire, but I'm concerned about the wear difference. The four under my Jeep right now have about 1/8-1/4'' less tread than thew new spare. I don't know what to do with this spare. I don't want it to just sit on the back of the Jeep and rot away from the sun. I feel like it's just going to get wasted. Any recommendations? Thanks in advanced.
 
Hey everyone. I was recently gifted a spare tire. Brand new tire, same as I have under my Jeep right now.

Brand new in condition or according to the manufacturing date on the tire?

I don't know what to do with this spare. I don't want it to just sit on the back of the Jeep and rot away from the sun.

I'd just leave it as the spare and continue with a four tire rotation. Assuming it is not already old ... by the time the tire would "rot" you'll be ready for new tires and be able to do a five tire rotation from the get go.
 
Brand new in condition or according to the manufacturing date on the tire?



I'd just leave it as the spare and continue with a four tire rotation. Assuming it is not already old ... by the time the tire would "rot" you'll be ready for new tires and be able to do a five tire rotation from the get go.
The manufacture date is 2017, so not brand new. Only never used before.
 
I thought I remember reading a couple articles that said the sun can have an effect on dry rot, but it's not nearly as substantial as people would believe it to be.
 
on a TJ, rotate it in. Might as well get the 25% extra mileage a spare will give you. Zero reason to leave it on the spare rack with full tread.

The tire diameter difference thing applies to the newer JKs with the computer controlled brake differential traction control systems but thank god the TJ was built before those nanny systems became a Wrangler thing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeanfi007
Rotate it in. If you want it to get close in tire depth to the others, watch it and next time it’s supposed to rotate out, keep it in. I.e. skip over one rotation
 
  • Like
Reactions: billiebob
Make the most worn tire the new spare for a while. Run the new one and do a 4 wheel rotation until things even out.
 
on a TJ, rotate it in. Might as well get the 25% extra mileage a spare will give you. Zero reason to leave it on the spare rack with full tread.

The tire diameter difference thing applies to the newer JKs with the computer controlled brake differential traction control systems but thank god the TJ was built before those nanny systems became a Wrangler thing.

X2,

I rotate the tires every 3500 miles,
I put the spare tire on the right rear.
 
How large of a difference in diameter would it take to cause drive train issues?
I don't know how "true" this is, but I heard that anything more than 1/8" is no good, but im sure it's not that extreme.
 
I don't know how "true" this is, but I heard that anything more than 1/8" is no good, but im sure it's not that extreme.

Differential action occurs any time the vehicle isn't going in a straight line. Add that to the likely fact that many people are running unevenly worn and inflated tires every day.
 
Do you worry about "sun damage" on your other 4 tires?
I'm not really worried about sun damage lol. It's just the tire will expire by the time it's time to get new tires and I like to know all my tires are running are safely. The sun speeds it up.
 
I am doing the exact same thing on my pickup rite now. Just got a matching rim and am going to do 5 wheel rotation using the bran new spare. Need to put it to work...it's free ride is over !