By rotating the spare you add longevity to your next tire purchase.

 

THANK YOU !!!!!
I dont understand why anyone would even carry around a spare that is not the same size as the other 4 tires. I know the cost is the reason but what it will cost in tearing up axles and gears, your better off buying the 5th tire.

 

Rotate all 5. Cost per mile is the same, you just go farther before buying your next set. Just because a tire doesn't look dry rotted doesn't mean it is safe to use, 2 or 3 sets with the same spare and when you need it you may not get far on it.

 

Did a 5 tire rotation last night. Fronts were starting to wear funny and get loud. Seemed much smoother today after the rotation, and no more noise.

By the way - interesting in knowing what the third option in this poll is all about. Either you rotate the spare in, or you don't. What is the third option?

 

I'm at ~38k miles and have had the primary four rotated by the dealer at every oil change (8k miles). After the last one, I had a feeling that they didn't actually do it because the front rims had more brake dust than the rear. After the service manager showed me the lack of scallops on the now front tires, I asked if they were following the standard method of rotating (front to rear, rear cross to front). He said they just go front to back and back to front without switching sides. With all the right-hand on & off ramps we have around here, no wonder I'm showing more wear on the outside of the drivers side! I plan on either enforcing the 5-tire true rotation with the dealer at next go around or just do it myself.
Just read the earlier posts on the thread... I'll be using the G-rotation next time.

 

My answer was "other" and I explained it as requested, but I will clarify. I have two spares, both worn by being used in a five tire rotation. Since anyone who off roads knows they should replace their tires well before they reach the treadware indicators (which mark degraded **"highway*** performance), we all end up with a perfectly suitable spare or three or four after every new tire purchase. At that time go to a four tire rotation, and save your back from lifting that spare off the carrier. LOL.

Of course, if you're fickle about tire size or brand, you may want to continue buying five new tires. Or you could just buy 35" Duratracs and be done with the flip-flopping--they are that good. ;-)

 

Ah ok Mark. Thanks for reclarifying. I agree about the Duratracs!

 

No
A spare is a spare. It's there to get you home for a repair. OK enough with the Dr. Suess

Things may have changed since the old days but a lot of us used to get what we could out of the 4 tires on the ground. when it was time for replacements you buy 3 new ones and include the unused spare as the 4th. The best of the original take-offs becomes the spare.

Now repeat first line of reply.

If you've got Unlimited tire bucks include all 5 in rotation until you need 5 new tires all at once.

 

I do it the way you say, but even if you rotated all five, when it's time for new tires, you could keep the best for a spare still and only buy 4.. only reason I rotate 4 tires I'd because I think they wear more even that way..

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Great idea!