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YOUR RESEARCHWhen to replace the spare tire
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Use spare once this year
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I've used my spare once this year for the first time ever.
Leading evidence: 'Use spare once this year' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'limit' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check air pressure once in a while' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
I recommend checking air pressure once in a while.
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Suggestion
now up here in Elk Snort we advise ya to taking the tire off every year or so and checking fer tire worms.
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Suggestion · Original poster
There is ample discussion on all sorts of boards about replacing the tires on your car at least every 4 years because of aging and ultraviolet light and heat cycles and load bearing and yadda yadda yadda.
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So my '99 C2 is 10 years old, now, and still sports its original and unmolested spare tire.
There is ample discussion on all sorts of boards about replacing the tires on your car at least every 4 years because of aging and ultraviolet light and heat cycles and load bearing and yadda yadda yadda. Can't seem to locate any discussion on the prudent course of action for replacement for the rubber on the doughnut (probably because Porsche stopped providing those years ago, so nobody has them anymore).
My spare has never touched the ground for actual use. Has remained properly inflated, and mounted in its cover in the front trunk.
I have never actually been forced to use a spare tire in 40 years. I've had punctures that were slow leaks that were instantly fixed at a repair shop. Many of my fellow Porsche folks have had catastrohic tire failures that were a result of slashing a gaping hole in the sidewall from running over something, and the silly little compressor and can of aerosol fixit was no match for the softball size opening.
Porsche also claimed that the spare tire was mounted as part of the front end collision protection engineered into the early 996.
Concourse guys say "Keep it!", though I assure them my car will never appear at Pebble Beach (It does appear every year at Amelia Island, though only next to the other PCA volunteers cars in the volunteers parking lot).
Thoughts, ideas, ... yawns? It is a safety item, after all.
personally my opinion is that it should serve it's original "intended purpose" for many years to come. I dont think if it was 30 years old and was kept the same as now (out of sun, inflated, yadda yadda) that it would be any different.
Look at it, check signs of cracking... nothing... still good. Afterall, like you say, its not like you are driving hard on it. Just emergency to get to the nearest tire shop. Sounds to me like you keep good tires on and well maintained for air and such. This is why you dont experience problems (though sometimes the unexpected can happen)
Fun question, i wonder what other people will say
I've used my spare once this year for the first time ever. I have a 2000 996, btw. It was faster for me to change the tire than to run around downtown dc looking for fix-a-flat and an air compressor to bring back to my job's garage. I'm keeping my tire until it shows signs of wear.
I can't see it being an issue. Not driven on, no UV rays, little heat, and no weight on it...
Do tire shops have expiry dates on tires stored in the shop? (not being sarcastic. Legit question.)
The venerable Pete Zimmerman says you shouldn't use a tire more than 5 years old. i don't believe his reference included spare donuts, but even stored inside he advised not use tires more than 5 years old.
Air pressure? Huh....these are donuts with no pressure in them. The Porsche tool kit has a pump that plugs into the lighter. I would say these are fine for the intended use which is in an emergency to get you to a safe place....for the life of the car.
Simple aging makes them go bad, but I guess I live on the edge. For how long I'd use the tire, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
FWIW, this is the first car in a while I've even kept the spare in the car. I've thought about taking my C4's deflated tire, rim, and air compressor out of the trunk to save some weight, but the front of the car is already a little light IMO and I assume they've taken the weight of the spare tire stuff into consideration.
It is called dry-rot. Rubber rots, so 10 years is probably the limit. It sometimes rots from the inside out, so you can tell by looking at it. Remember the air in the tire contains water.
I have a 99 too, so I would think that it is time for a new one. Just replace the tire, no need to change the wheel.
Math wasn't your strong suit
now up here in Elk Snort we advise ya to taking the tire off every year or so and checking fer tire worms. Now if you see the tire worm eggs (they are round ***** that hide on the inside the tire) ya simply squirt in some tire patch prep and light 'er on fire... that'll kill them little critters fer sure. If ya are fast enough, you wont infest yur whole inventory!!
(there must be an old timer or 2 out there that knows about these... from bias ply days, good fun!)
I really HATE to remove the tire from the rim because everything is just so perfect (the old concourse guy in me coming out). But it does seem that as long as I keep the pressure up it should be fine a while longer. '99 996's have a mini-tire, not a flat shape waiting to be inflated. If it were the flat-type, I would replace it without hesitation since the rubber would be prone to cracking at the folds.
Interesting reply about changing the air from time-to time. Doesn't that just add more fresh moisture-filled air? Or did I miss the tongue-in-cheek on that one? All that could be avoided by using one nitrogen charge.
I agree that rubber rots over time. German manufacturers particularly are gross offenders of poor quality rubber in their cars. Comes from not having their own natural source of petroleum and having to economize on what they can buy (and thus the root cause of many of Porsches problems).
Spare? We don't need no stinkin spare!
Took mine out and stuck it in the garage. Tools too.
If I get a flat it's a can of goo and a compressor. If that won't cover it, then I call AAA.
