Is the emergency wheel still usable after more than 10-year storage in the trunk?

[rogerkiu]

Hi everyone! I wonder that if my emergency tire (not spare tire) still usable. I believe that most of us have never used the emergency wheel at all since the X came out from factory. In my case, I have never used the emergency wheel, it has been sit in my trunk for more than 10 years, so is it still usable. I am a little bit worried about this issue, if the tire is not usable any more, then it will be a very difficult situation when I have a flat tire and it could be very dangerous.

[motordavid]

I would check the tire pressure, if you haven't lately...I check mine once a year, and our ten year old 'spare' looks ok/usable to me. It is just to get you down the road to some help, or safe spot. But keeping speed at 50 mph or less, I wouldn't hesitate to use mine if I had to.

There are pages of 'tire aging' here, and on the net, but that tire is simply a reserve safety net, so I don't feel any need to replace it with a new one. My 50Cts...
GL, mD

[amacman]

My old Landcruiser handbook said the spare was usually good for 10 years and the running tyres good for 6 years .

My x5 spare Michelin 235/65R17 is near 10 years old and still seems perfect .
I have a space saver 155/80R19 near 10 years old with a bulge on the wall but otherwise the rubber is in good condition .
I have Michelin 235/65R17 I use in winter , mid 2004 manufacture , 7mm tread and they are showing slight perishing on the sidewall .

[1stE53]

I would use it. I checked my pressure on my spare tire (full size) and it was down to about 18lbs. Decided to check my other car's spare (doughnut) for the first time in almost 4 years, it was at 8lbs and requires 65. So yes, check them, and I would use but not over 50mph like I see some not so smart people do.

[ArtMan]

I also have a 1999 ML 320 that uses the donut type wheel and just 2 months ago i used it the first time in its life and that puts it at 12 yrs old lol and it looked old but it still had tire pressure and held up great for a good 10miles at am mix speeds from 25-50mph.

[fast4d]

it should be fine unless you see cracks in the rubber, especially the sidewall.

[amacman]

I have Pirelli summer tyres on my 740i . fronts are 1999 , rears are 2009 with little difference between them .

If you have any doubt you can deflate the tyre and look at the inside of the carcass for perishing rubber .

[KenH]

Officially no, but in practice probably yes. Especially as it has been out of the sunlight.

[MINIz guy]

I'm driving on tires manufactured in 2001, which is older than the production date of our X5. I'm just sitting it out until winter tires are available.

It isn't safe for tires to be older than 6 years as the rubber starts to dry rot and the glue starts to fall apart. However, I think it is fine for a spare to be that old as it is just a crutch to get you to the tire shop for a fixed tire.

[rogerkiu]

Ok! Thanks a lot for your comment!