Tire Rotation of 5 Tires

When you rotate your tires, do you include the full size spare in the mix? Why or why not?

I see a lot of trucks/jeeps that look like their spare tire has never seen the ground. Maybe there is a reason for this?

My assumption is that if you have it, why not use it? Instead of letting it bake in the sun or go to waste when you decide to change tire sizes completely. You also gain 20% tire usage time between replacements due to using 5 tires, instead of 4.

Supposedly tires have a service life, whether there is tread left or not, they should be cycled out after a certain amount of time. Personally, I have never done this though. After I implemented the 303 Aerospace Protectant tire care routine, I have never seen my tires "wear out" before the tread. Random link about it.

Curious what everyone does. Thanks

 

Gen dependent.

3rd gen does not have TPMS in the spare. 2nd gen does.

 

will the 3rd gen accept a 5th sensor if you add it to the tire and program it in? I'm guessing not, but not sure. If not, I would then say it's not worth it to rotate the spare in if you have to reprogram what 4 sensors the TPMS talks to every time you do a rotation.

 

Unfortunately no. The truck will only accept four sensors at a time.

 

Thanks, good enough for me. I would add one if it would accept it but I am perfectly happy with it not. Just means one less spare for me to feel the need to buy and deal with regularly.

 

I have a full size spare and matching wheel and rotate it in with the other 4. My local discount tire will reprogram the 5th TPMS sensor and add it to the computer for free if I have them do the rotation. If I do the rotation myself I know that one of my tires will not show up on the TPMS. Not the end of the world and it means I check the pressure manually.

 

You dont gain 20% more life. The tire is rated for x # of miles whether that takes 4 years or 6 years. And at 6 they should be replaced regardless of mileage.

 

How much sunlight they get determines how long they last. Six years in Texas may be about right if the truck is not garaged. In an area that gets less sunlight, especially if the truck is garaged or parked in a shady area might get you 10 years.

I tried to do a 5 way once years ago on another truck and finally decided it wasn't worth the trouble. I used to do it all of the time when I drove a Jeep Wrangler because all 5 wheels/tires matched and it is easy enough to get to the spare.

On a my trucks I always keep the best of the 4 tires that were on the ground as my next spare. If the old spare is still like new it can be sold. If not just let the tire store keep it as one of the 4 take-offs. That way I'm also rotating the spare before it gets to 10 years old