Anyone recall the posting from a few months ago regarding using tires that are several years old but never (or hardly) used? The consensus seemed to be that even if tires are in pristine condition, if they are more than a few years old they should be replaced. I need some back-up to settle an argument in my family about this topic. My wife swears that her dad's VW microbus does not need tires because the ones on it are in such good shape...although they must have been installed around 1998 and the vehicle has been parked with the tires on for at least
6 years (it's driven minimally each summer). I say it's risky to drive it at 70mph with those tires. Any comments appreciated.
I've looked at some of the manufacturers web sites and they are kind of vague when looking for a difinative expiration date on the tire life. Generally, if there are signs of cracking or uneven wear it is time to replace them. 7 years is about the limit according to some sites. I've had snow tires that I used for ten seasons without replacing, but they were stored away in plastic bags every spring, dismounted of course.
...Ron
--
68' Camaro RS
88' Firebird Formula
00' Mustang GT Vert
new tires are ALWAYS better than 7 year old tires. that said, I've driven on tires that were way older than that on the highway... it's not like they self destruct at 8 years old or anything.
As tires get old, they get harder and start to crack. Much like Michael Jackson's face. ;) Unlike jacko's nose, a new set of tires can make an old car handle like a new one.
use your best judgement. If they're worn and cracking - what's it worth to you for peace of mind? If you don't trust them to survive the highway trip... replace 'em.
Yes, common sense is the argument I used w/ my wife...didn't seem to work though. It would be one thing if it the vehicle was just used occasionally around town at low speeds, but we had this microbus out on the interstate-- too risky for the tires!
the life of your tires depends ONLY on its quality.
E.g. my `83 Rabbit has `82 Vredestein Snow Tires on (European made), SR rated, which are used all the year round. The car is used with speeds up to nearly 100 mls.
These tires show neither cracks nor get they too hart (despite the fact they get harder because of the drying out and the loss of rubber).
But: I bought some tires in the US years ago (235/60-15 SR rated) @ 24.96 USD. They were not working long.
Please have an eye on the Treadwear and the other information the tire gives to you.
You are correct. The Pontiac Oakland Club International published an item in one of their news letters last year on this topic. The rule is ten years and out for stored tires like the spare, less for all the rest.
The reason why is age hardens the compound so while they look OK, the compound has lost the ability to flex and grip. UV is speeds up the process. The item sighted BMW, VW and other manufactors publishing in the owner's manual warnings on tire age. There is no known test or inspection to determine how far gone the tires are.
While a bone yard can sell what looks like a good set of tires or a never used spare, in fact the tire could fail when stressed (ie high-speed) the first time.
In the US, the issue is with the tire makers no willing to put use by or born on (like some beers) dates. Fearing the public will reject tires held in inventory for a year or two over 'fresh'. Congress and the Feds go around and around on this every few years. The notion is a year old tire from the warehouse is bad and new is better.
Also mention was limited mileage tires, such as Z rated 20K to 24K mileage tires. These tires are built to be used up in two to three years then replaced. Again, the compound is designed to grip the road and loses that ability over time.
Bottom line is if they are close to ten years old, its time to replace.
I got your "boy" hanging low between my knees punk. Why in the f*ck do I care about the autobaun? DOT Speedratings are Speedrating. Y&Z being the highest. Not many cars can run a sustained
149 Miles Per Hour. Which is what a Z rated tire is 149+ MPH.
EuroTrash tires aint any better then American tires. Maybe that's why
60% of the Super Cars Wear Goodyears from the factory. Charles
Yes, of course, your cars and tires and every else and even your sh´t. are better.
But why in hell do you tell me about Ys and Zs? Do you think we do not know these?
And what is it with 149 mph???? You sound impressed? Sit down. Relax. And listen. As early as in the `70s every Porsche did 150 or far more. And these are stock cars for every day use. Which cars made outside Europe run stock 150+ ? You wont find much. But surely you may modify more or less every car. WE buy them cash out of factory. How many cars in the US run 149+?. I think this is in the 0/00s. And stock? Percents of this. How many cars made in Eu. run 149+? ... 8%.
And there was ... GoodYears. Ha, what a trash. This was the first I ve thrown away from my bird. And did install Goodrich T/A Comp. Even if they do not have the quality of eg ana Pirelli, Conti etc I like their treadwear of
400 (cf GY 200) and their dry handling. If I could afford, Pirelli`s Zeros are dry AA rated. Goodyear has lost the game long ago. 60% of the Super Cars Wear Goodyears from the factory? And how much in F1????
Let me hear something ...
But stay on what we are diskussing about. Dont let your thoughts go astray!
And tell me. Do you still not know what it is when we say nescius to somebody?
Last car out of Europe that even rasied a eye brow for me was the Pantera. You don't know what it's like sitting at a light waiting for it to go green driving a RWD American V8 Car. Just waiting you unleash all that torque.
They are the Highest D.O.T. Speed Ratings for Tires.
That is the Speed Rating miles per hour for a Z rated tire. 149+ MPH sustained.
We buy our cars here thru Dealerships. The manufactor supplies the dealer, who is their agent. Some people pay in "Cash", although not recomended due to Tax laws. Any thing over $4,000 on a new car gets noticed by the IRS.
As For American cars that will Run 150, Stock, we have them. 1970 Camaro Z/28 with the LT-1 Engine. Most 1966 to 1974 Big Block Corvettes will. Any ZR1 Corvette from the late 80's erly 90's will. Any late 90's up Corvette will. Any Stock 1994 to 2002 V8 Z28 or Trans Am that came with Z-rated tires (others had a speed limiter that had to be removed). Then you have cars like the Dodge Viper, Sallen S-7, Panoz (made here in America) The Shelby One (by Shelby Inc).
Then we get on the Rare Ultra Low Production list. C.O.P.O. Camaro's & Chevelles, Ford GT's (known as the GT40) and a few others.
F1? Who cares about F1 racing? I sure as hell don't. Outside of Dirt Track Sprint Cars the only Open Wheel race I watch is the Indy 500. Nascar & N.H.R.A. are what I watch if I watch a Race. For me It's more fun helping the local guys build their small time cars, and watching them race.
What Supercars come with GoodYears? Try buying a *brand new* Farrarri with out GoodYears on it. Aint gonna happen. Most Supercars use them Stock, because they are the best tires for them.
When it comes to tires, their aint a tire made elsewhere in the world that outsells or out perfroms the American made tires. Not a race car tire, not a street tire, not even a off road truck tire, or a semi truck tire. Charles
Ochsescheiße. 911 Carrera (210bhp) was first one capable, in 1972, of going 152mph. In 1971, output of the three 911 T, E and S models was
130, 165 and 190 bhp, respectively.
912? Fabelhaft.
And these are stock cars for every day use. Which cars made
Corvette, Pontiac GTO, any F-body with an LS1 motor. Hell, we have pickup trucks that can spank your little ferdinand. 911's routinely were blown away in the 60's by turbo Corvair Spyders. At a fraction of the price of a P-auto.
You wont find much. But surely you may
Google.
How many cars made in Eu. run 149+? ... 8%.
Unwissend, unkundig, ungebildet, und Georg Hanuschik.
Latin is a dead language.
But you must be nescius of that, since you still speak it to Charles.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.