If your 2002-2005 Thunderbird still has the original compact or ‘space saver’ temporary spare tire, you could be in for a very unpleasant surprise. The compact spare, if you still have the original, is now between 11-14 years old, far beyond its average safe operating life. All automobile tires degrade over time regardless of actual mileage, due to exposure to the elements, UV rays, and extreme temperatures. So even if you’ve never used your temporary spare, and unless you’ve replaced it recently, it’s probably prone to failure and may have already disintegrated in its storage well in the trunk.
Most Thunderbird owners don’t even think about the condition of their spare tire until they get a flat and need to use it. And given the fact that many 2002-2005 Thunderbird are driven very few miles, a lot of owners may not have needed to use their spares, and probably haven’t even seen them for years. Even if your spare appears to be in good condition, and tire ten or more years old is probably not reliable and likely to fail. There have been numerous reports from Thunderbird owners of both the Firestone and the Maxxis compact spare tires ‘exploding’ while stored in the trunk.
Now’s the time to replace that old spare tire!
Don’t risk a blowout or failure of your spare tire when you need it most. Replace your old tire with a new one before an emergency arises. The spare tire for the 2002-2005 Thunderbird is smaller and narrower than the regular tires and can be hard to find. Ford dealers charge up to $ 250 for a replacement, but we carry them for $ 199. The 2002 Thunderbird included the Firestone compact spare tire. Ours is the ‘Maxxis’ brand, which was the original equipment compact spare tire for the 2003-2005 Thunderbird, and it’s guaranteed to be the correct size and fit for your 2002-2005 Thunderbird. Stay safe on the road with the peace of mind that your spare tire is ready to go.
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