20/20 report on tires

[Limit]

Anybody see the 20/20 report on reputable dealers such as SEARS were selling EIGHT year old tires as NEW. A huge uproar has happened since people have been dying due to tires blowing off due to tread off old tires. A little bit on the subject can be found here, but the report is definitely worth the 10 minute or so watch.

ABC News: Tire Danger: The Cryptic Code That Could Save Your Life

Makes me want to get new tires...

[dave6666]

Originally Posted by Limit

Makes me want to get new tires...

You mean after all of the classes here at this forum on that, you have old tires?

I went out some time ago and checked my PS's I bought right after I got the car in Dec '06, and they are not that old. Discount Tire actually had a hard time finding them, as they were being phased out. Maybe I got the last pair ever made.

Anyway, I am a tire graduate student now.

[Warfang]

I guess my question is... how can you tell if it's time to change your tires? Is it just age? I would imagine variables such as location, local climate and storage methods can give a tire differing life expectancy. Is there a specific test you can do, or do you just go by date?

[Paul Hawker]

On a hi performance sports car, I would not feel comfortable after 5 years.

Track use with heat cycling will easily cut this time in 1/2 or more.

Fresh tires always feel fantastic.

[ab]

Very good information. Just went and checked all of my tires.

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Learn how to read the code. Problem 1 solved.

Problem 2. If a person is so dumb they don't understand how age could adversly affect rubber then don't allow them to drive a car.

But as usual, the SUV, minivan and sedan customers are ruining everything for the sports car customers.

[Warfang]

Originally Posted by Chuck 98 RT/10

Learn how to read the code. Problem 1 solved.

Problem 2. If a person is so dumb they don't understand how age could adversly affect rubber then don't allow them to drive a car.

But as usual, the SUV, minivan and sedan customers are ruining everything for the sports car customers.

I know how to read the code, and I understand how age affect rubber... I'm just trying to figure out if there's a rule of thumb here... so far I got 5 years. Is that it, or are there visual/tactile ways to tell if the tire has deteriorated quicker than that other than just tread wear from use?

[Paul Hawker]

Warfang.

Yes, 5 years is about it. Exposure to sun, ozone, salt air, or high temperatures suck some of the oils out of the rubber making it hard.

If you have 5 year old tires you will be quite amazed at how much better a new set will feel.

In addition technology has advanced and the newest pilots ride smoother, are stickier and have increased performance both wet and dry.

Time to give Parts Rack a call.

[musicncars]

i know that story, a couple of years ago i traded for a 1965 mustang convertible. very nice, right? in florida, great weather, took a trip to orlando. the tires were brand new......but were on the car for 5 years. half way to orlando i got three flats. i didnt make it until after 1am....i learned, and from now on ANY used car that i buy that has new tires on it, get changed quickly.

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Originally Posted by Warfang

I know how to read the code, and I understand how age affect rubber... I'm just trying to figure out if there's a rule of thumb here... so far I got 5 years. Is that it, or are there visual/tactile ways to tell if the tire has deteriorated quicker than that other than just tread wear from use?

I believe a quality low profile sports car street tire like our Michelins will wear down to the cords before any separation occurs. And while after five years the rubber will have no where near the performance a new tire has, it won't magically blow up on the street either.

Alternatively, a high profile passenger car tire isn't rated for 180mph driving and probably isn't built with the same high quality materials that are applied to a sports car tire. Or perhaps it is the geometry of a high profile tire that is it's weakness. Regardless failure is more common with passenger car tires.

Just speculation from experience on my part.

Of course if they're Goodyears all bets are off.