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Rotating in the spare tire?

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by coolhl7, Dec 27, 2018.

  1. Dec 27, 2018 at 9:08 AM
    #1
    coolhl7

    coolhl7 [OP] New Member

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    I have a 2018 SR5 4 wheel drive (my 5th 4Runner over the years!) with P265/70R17 tires.
    the manual says models with P245/60R20 has a pattern that includes the spare, whereas all vehicles w/o the P245/60R20 has a pattern that does not include the spare...does anyone know the rational for this.
    since mine is 4 wheel drive it would be nice to have even wear on all 5 tires should I need the spare.
    thanks in advance..
    norm
     
  2. Dec 27, 2018 at 9:25 AM
    #2
    alittleoff

    alittleoff New Member

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    The manual could be referring to a 2-wheel drive model. And the 20" wheel is the Limited model.

    If the spare tire size, tread pattern and style of wheel match, by all means rotate 5.
    My '16 TP spare has a steel wheel & stock tire which doesn't match the TRD's & BFG's on the ground, so I don't.
     
    jester243 likes this.
  3. Dec 27, 2018 at 10:41 AM
    #3
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    from the other thread
     
    gdvan01 likes this.
  4. Dec 27, 2018 at 11:24 AM
    #4
    coolhl7

    coolhl7 [OP] New Member

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    I think the different cheaper rim of the spare may be the (cosmetic) reason....but rotating the spare should increase the life of the tires by 25% and if a new set of tires installed is between $800 to $1000 then the savings would be $200 to $250 ....(the stock SR5 rim is probably about $150)...still should you need to use the spare after 40K miles it would be nice if the treads matched the other 3 tires...
     
  5. Dec 27, 2018 at 11:43 AM
    #5
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    if you don't have the limited with the 20" rims then the manual says not to worry about including it in rotation, sounds good enough to me. Like I said I have never personally included it when I rotate. My dad does but to each their own, when I change tires they won't match the spare anyway :notsure:
     
  6. Dec 27, 2018 at 5:17 PM
    #6
    grayflare

    grayflare New Member

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    Not exactly correct, the tires will last about 25% longer but you will need to buy 5 tires then, not the four if you don't include the spare in rotation. The trade off is about the same. If you want to rotate the spare go ahead. if you don't want to then don't. If you don't, then the only time the spare would be seen is when you have a flat and would only be on long enough to get it fixed. Depends on how OCD you are.
     
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  7. Jan 2, 2019 at 8:45 AM
    #7
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    I think you're way over thinking this whole spare thing. I'm guessing most people only use the spare in a pinch till they get their flat fixed or replaced. If that's all your doing a day or two with a different (newer) tire isn't going to hurt anything.
     
    jester243 likes this.

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