My car is brand new, but I have thought about this - When it comes time to rotate my tires, I am going to remove the spare from the trunk as part of the rotation, and replace it with one of the used tires.
This way I am using 5 tires, and overall, the set will last longer than if I decided to use my spare strictly for that purpose.
When I need a new set of tires, I will keep my best tire for use as a spare, and buy a set of 4 at that time.

Just wondering what some of you are doing in regards to this.

 

I do exactly that. I found a recommended 5-tire rotation pattern for an AWD at the Tire Rack Web site. I had to insist with my dealer's service writer to do it that way the first time but now they don't even question my request. As a matter fact just the last time I had it in, a different service writer said that he thought it was a good idea.

I double checked and made sure that I did not have uni-directional tires first though.

 

Well if you count putting on the summer wheels. Why yes I do.

 

I don't have the full size spare, but I remember reading a thread stating that the spare doesn't have the TPS. Is this true?

 

Does the spare tire also have the low tire pressure sensor on it or do you have to transfer it from the tire you're going to use as a spare. I had thought I read somewhere that spare didn't have the sensor and this is what prevented me from using my spare in the tire rotation.

Another option is to wait until you need tires and use the spare as one of the new tires so you'll only have to buy 3 tires instead of 4 tires.

 

Just have the dealer install a TPS in the spare and you'll be good to go.
C.

 

I don't like that idea because you would have to buy a set of the same tires again so they would match the spare, and you may want a different brand.

 

Do you know how much an extra one would cost ?
Also, let's say the spare has no sensor and you use it, would that cause a problem ?

 

I do not. I keep my spare pristine - it's for emergency use.

I can see the logic of adding it into the mix. I'd just hate to pull what is currently serving as my spare out of the trunk and find that it isn't ready to go for whatever reason.

Maybe the tire I stuck back there after the last rotation has a slow leak that wasn't caught, maybe a nail, maybe sidewall damage. Maybe, maybe, what if, what if..

I check it, air it, and leave it alone.

 

Spares don't have TPMS. The MIL would eventually come on if you drive with sensors in only 3 wheels.

 

the full size spare DOES have a TPS, it just has to be activated by the dealer when you rotate. I rotate my spare in on my 05X.