Topic: When should my old tires be replaced?

[Dave L]

Car: Cr-V 2003 with Prelude SH rims

Tires: Bridgestone RE950's

Size: 225/60-16's (stock size is 205/70-15's)

Date Code: 2902  (6 years old)

Still decent tread. Feelings? Don't like these much. Noisy. Heavy.

Vehicle is driven on the road and on the occasional construction site. We have Michelin X-Ice (205/70-15's) on stock rims.

Regards,
DaveL
Mississauga
(where I build schools, or add or renovate them.)

[rrocket]

MIght be time to replace them now.  Often as tires get older, the treads tend to dry up some, and that causes some noisiness and loss of adhesion.

[morty]

Tires that are in use that are 6 years old or even older are usually safe. Not supposed to purchase new tires that are more than 5 years old. Tires continue to cure from they day the are manufactured and the rubber gets harder over time. As this happens the tires ability to grip decreases over time. You often see tires that work well for up to 10 years. Other things that begin to take their toll are UV rays and Ozone. They will begin to breakdown the rubber and cause weather checking in the sidewall. This only starts to happen once the tires have been installed. Until the tires are purchased they are either in a warehouse or a store and do not suffer the affects of the environment.

If the tires are in good shape drive them until you feel the grip is inadequate and then replace.

[Dave L]

Truly appreciate the message.  Recent press had me concerned.

The 5th wheel=spare has never been used. It's in the carrier on the back of the Cr-V. If I change tires, I'll change it too.

Is it safe to use it at highway speeds for distance if need be?

Regards,
DaveL
Toronto

[morty]

It should be safe as it has been sheltered from the UV and ozine by being in the trunk. Inspect it and if no signs of aginf it should be safe fore use as a spare.

[Dave L]

Thanks Morty.

Looked at it the other day. A heads up for other Cr-V owners.  The hard plastic spare tire cover was very hard to take off. The 2 zippers were filled with fine silt. Got it off, washed the zippers and used some graphite. They slide freely now. Would have hated to find that late at night if I had a flat.

And I over-inflated the spare too. (Vehicle=26 all around; spare's at 35) It had lost some pressure, but had dropped to 25 (after being over-inflated when I put it away.)

We chose to mount 225/60-16's on Prelude SH rims when we bought the Cr-V. Mounted snows on our factory rims. The spare is the original Dueler HT (IIRC) in 205/70-15 size. No miles, on a factory mag.

DaveL