Anyone change the spare tire because of age?

Ford had an expensive and bad experience with Firestone tires and the Ford Explorer several years ago causing them to increase the recommended tire pressure (had been in the 20-ish psi range) and not to keep tires more than 6 years. I think Chrysler made the same recommendation.

Has anyone with an older X3 changed the spare tire? The compartment seems small so that a full sized spare doesn't look like it will fit. What did you do?

Did you special order a new donut spare? Or put a full sized spare (perhaps an unused snow tire in the summer and a summer tire in the winter) in the trunk? Maybe putting it in a big bag or tire cover?

I don't think aging of the donut spare is too much of a concern,
because if it is to be used you will limiting your speed anyway.

What is important, from a safety aspect, is to periodically check that the retaining mechanism is sound and operating properly.
Doesn't apply so much to the X3, but there have been cases where such a spare wheel falls off on the highway at speed.

Other than that, make sure the valve is always position correctly in the retaining tray so that pressure can be checked and adjusted easily on a routine basis.

Only needed the spare once in 5 years, and that was in the first year.
Wouldn't want to give up cargo space by carrying a full size spare.

No need to replace the spare unless it is damaged, which wouldn't happen unless one got into some kind of collision.

Just periodically check the tyre pressure for the spare. Note that the normal pressure is much higher than the normal tyres.

The spare is not exposed to sunlight (UV) so should not deteriorate that much. It is not uncommon for cars that are 10 years old to still have a very usable spare that has never been on the road, just tucked up underneath the trunk/rear floorboard or in the trunk itself. My 12 year old Tahoe still has the original "Long Trail" unused spare that looks in perfect shape, no checking or cracks at all. I am not sure but I think the Ford/Firestone problem dealt with underinflation as much as deteriorated tires. However back in the mid 70's Firestone did have a big problem with seperation of tread on their 500 Series tires that was a defect. The donut spare should be good virtually as long as the car is in service since it is intended for very limited speed and use anyway.

I tend to disagree. I read a few months ago of a crash after use of a very old spare. Of course, the reporter may not have mentioned something dumb that the people did, such as poor tire storage.

I think the 6 year date is too short. I plan on using the Cooper Tire 10 year date so my spare tire won't be due until 2018. That's a long way from now.

I'm looking into get a plastic compartment made so I can put a full size spare tire. Or just rip the plastic cover off and find a way to mount a full size down there.