Aging tires

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

Just thought of this as I put my winter tires on yesterday. I saw this on youtube regarding aging tires. I asked my mechanic how old my Toyos were, he said they were made in early '07 (whew!)

I can get about 1 more winter after this year.

Use caution when buying new tires, you may not be getting new tires, just a "never driven" tire... safety compromised and being cheated out of money.

Never knew about this problem... when I took my GF winter tire shopping this year, I made sure I read the date of manufacturing on all 4 tires. The salesman looked puzzled when I wanted to see the date of manufacturing. Guess he didn't know either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxlsKPCzjyw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDgSk5xWkrI

[mmorriso]

I asked my mechanic how old my Toyos were, he said they were made in early '07 (whew!)

I can get about 1 more winter after this year.

very timely discussion as many are changing tires at this time of year.  everyone should know the date of manufacture of their tires and the tread depth.

you should be able to use your toyos in the winter as long as the tread depth is 6/32" or greater, then you can run them in the summer until they are 4/32".  if you don't drive much they may last until 2013!  i measured mine last night and was pleasantly suprised to find at least 9/32" remaining.

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

I'm not sure exactly how much tread is left, I've run the tires for 2 winters before. This will be the 3rd.

I don't like the idea of running on winters in the warmer months. Scared of tire failure.

[Canada Stig]

Great point on tire age - regardless of tread depth, they are good for 5 years from the date of manufacture.  A Certain large US on-line tire retailer sent a friend of mine "new" tires last summer that were actually 18 months old - meaning his great deal wasn't so great, since he can really only use them for 70% of the time he should

[ktm525]

I don't think it is a straight age issue. Again many variables could be added to either reduce or increase a tires life. The Michelin LTX M/S on the Dakota are almost 5 years old yet have no small micro cracking etc. The truck parks in a garage at night and a covered parkade in the day. It avoids sunlight for most of its life. On the other hand I have seen tires that are sunbaked in just a few years. Drying out?

[ovr50]

Summer heat is a serious issue here. I see motorhomes and trailers parked for years with no protection over the tires, baking in the hot sun summer after summer. I can only imagine how dangerous some of these tires are if they get put on the road, and driven a lot &/or hard. Tire failure in a motorhome or on a towed trailer can have serious consequences...!!! 

[Andy@1010tires]

Most tire manufacturer's agree that a tire should be replaced between 6-10 years old, regardless of usage. And why wouldn't they, as it means more sales for them 

[safristi]

  this tread sux......................... ...and to think my tyres were just about to go to PRE_SKOOL @ Madame Michelins house of RUBBER............

[weebl]

Unless you do extended high speed summer driving, winters during the summer should be okay.  The most touted age I hear is 6 years, the range for replacement being 6 to 10 years.  A little less conservative, provided everything looks visually fine is 8 years.  10 is pushing it a lot, and is considered to be the limit under the most ideal conditions.  Doubt many should make it that far.  Weather/climate, storage conditions and driving style all affect the age a tire is good for.

[safristi]

  I shoulda been DEAD 30 years ago................. ...............are the 25yr old CONTIS on my Lotus worth Slaloming!!!!!

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

It seems though that some people must've watched that documentary, when I was at the mechanic's on Monday, people came in for winter tires, wanted to see the date of manufacturing for all 4 tires (made early '09) and bought them (Dunlop).

Not enough people know though... the goverment shouldn't allow older tires to be sold.

Another article regarding aging/old tires from auto123.com

http://www.auto123.com/en/news/car-news/regulating-the-sale-of-old-tires?artid=107889&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=blog-en&utm_campaign=social

[capriracer]

There's a lot information and opinions that get thrown around with regards to tire age.

Most of the issue is heat related.  This is a very prominant in Arizona - where the summer tempatures are extremely high - and Florida, where the temperatures are not as high as AZ, but it's warm year round.  In these locales 6 years is sometimes a not so conservative number.  But in Winnepeg, 10 years is a good value.

Also, tires don't age much before they are put into service.  Again, it's a heat issue and you don't generate much heat unless the vehicle is moving.

It has been said that unused tires within 3 years of the date of manufacture are - for practical purposes - the same as yesterday's made tires.  The except is if the tires are not stored properly.

It is common practice for tire manufacturers it gradually reduce the selling price of older batches of tires with the idea they will sell more quickly and the age problem will take care of itself.  While many retailers won't tell you why there's such a bargain on a giving set of tires (and many are not even aware), do not be surprised if your bargain tires are a little older.

[DKaz]

The BF Goodrich g-Force Super Sport tires on my Mazda 5 were manufactured on the 20th week of 2008 and only have like a year's worth of tread left lol, I'll be at the steel belts by the time the tires expire.

My brand new winter tires were manufactured on the 28th week of 2009, all good to go.

[safristi]

  2007 woz a great year...............2008 & 09 NOT SO MUCH.............Un CORK tha TORQUE....