Signs Your Spare Tire Cover Needs Replacing

A spare tire cover protects your spare from sun, rain, dirt, and long-term damage. But just like any outdoor item, it eventually wears out. A worn or failing tire cover not only looks bad — it exposes your spare to UV damage and weather that can shorten its lifespan.

Here are the most common signs that your spare tire cover needs to be replaced.

The Cover Is Fading or Losing Its Color

Sun exposure is the biggest cause of fading. If your cover looks:

• Washed out

• Gray or pale

• Patchy

• Unevenly discolored

…it’s no longer blocking UV rays effectively.

A faded cover is a warning sign that the material is breaking down.

The Vinyl or Fabric Is Cracking

Cracks often appear on:

• The top of the cover

• Around seams

• Large flat surfaces

• Printed areas

Once vinyl starts cracking, it loses:

• Weather resistance

• UV protection

• Structural strength

Cracks mean it’s time to replace the cover before it begins to tear.

The Cover Feels Dry, Brittle, or Hard

Outdoor exposure causes low-quality vinyl to lose flexibility.

If the cover feels:

• Stiff

• Brittle

• Crunchy

• Dry

…it can no longer protect your spare tire properly.

A good cover should feel soft, flexible, and durable, not rigid.

The Elastic No Longer Fits Tight

A loose cover is more than a cosmetic issue.

If your cover:

• Slides around

• Flaps in the wind

• Feels stretched out

• Doesn’t grip the tire evenly

…it can fall off while driving or allow UV rays to reach the tire.

Stretched or worn elastic is a clear sign you need a new cover.

Printed Designs Are Peeling or Cracking

Low-quality or aged printing begins to:

• Peel

• Flake

• Crack

• Fade unevenly

Once the print fails, the cover loses both its appearance and UV protection.

USA-made SpareCover® prints resist fading and cracking for years, unlike cheap imported covers.

The Cover Has Tears or Holes

Even small tears can quickly grow.

Common tear points include:

• Near the bottom

• On the top (full sun exposure)

• Around seams

• Corners of printed art

• Underside edge from road debris

Any hole allows sunlight, heat, and moisture to reach the tire — which defeats the purpose of the cover.

Mold, Mildew, or Excessive Dirt Build-Up

If the cover:

• Smells musty

• Shows mildew spots

• Has embedded dirt

• Stains that won’t wash off

…it may indicate the material is absorbing moisture or breaking down.

Marine-grade vinyl (used by SpareCover®) resists mold, while cheap fabric or PVC covers don’t.

The Cover Looks Loose or Misshapen

A good tire cover should hold its shape.

If it looks:

• Saggy

• Wrinkled

• Misshapen

• Thin or stretched

…it’s no longer providing adequate protection.

Velcro, Staples, or Stitching Are Coming Apart

Low-quality covers often rely on weak stitching or glued seams.

If you see:

• Loose thread

• Seams pulling apart

• Detached trim

…the cover is at the end of its life.

SpareCover® uses reinforced, heavy-duty stitching to avoid this issue.

The Spare Tire Itself Is Starting to Show Damage

If you notice your spare tire has:

• Fading

• Dry rot

• Cracks

• Discoloration

…it means the cover has stopped doing its job.

Once the tire starts aging from sun or weather, a cover replacement becomes essential.

Final Thoughts: Replace Your Tire Cover Before It Fails Completely

A spare tire cover is your tire’s first line of defense. When it fades, cracks, or loosens, your spare becomes vulnerable to UV rays, moisture, heat, and debris — all of which can shorten the tire’s life.

Replacing a worn-out cover with a durable, USA-made SpareCover® ensures long-lasting protection and keeps your spare tire looking new for years.